metalcore

Metalcore is a mix of heavy metal and hardcore music. It originated in the 1980's with bands like Integrity. Metalcore used to be refered to as Cross-Over Thrash, as stated by bands such as Dirty Rotten Imbecilesand Nuclear Assault. Today, Metalcore and Cross-Over Thrash are considered two completely different genres of music. Nuclear Assault was among the first bands to call themselves Heavy Metal/Hardcore Punk band. Breakdown was arguably one of the earliest to fuse heavy metal-influenced riffing with a more traditional hardcore sound without being a thrash metal band. Breakdowns are essential part of metalcore. Typically, the guitars play a set of rhythmically oriented riffs, usually on open strings so as to achieve the lowest sound the guitars are tuned for. These riffs are often accented by the drummer with double kick bass drums.