[Western Music] Both Speed and Bittersweetness! Recommended Melodic Hardcore (Melodic Punk) Bands [2025]
In the 2020s, what kind of image comes to mind when you hear the music genre “melocore”? Chances are, the bands and sounds you think of vary depending on your generation.
The heyday of melocore in the ’90s, the early 2000s boom of pop punk and youth punk, the mid-2010s onward pop-punk revival—each band has had its own sound.
In this piece, we focus on melocore—short for melodic hardcore—which has become established in Japan as the abbreviation for melodic hardcore, just as the name suggests.
We’ll also look at related styles like pop punk, selecting both veteran acts and rising younger bands drawing attention in the 2020s.
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[Western Music] Both Speed and Bittersweet! Recommended Melodic Hardcore/Punk Bands [2025] (71–80)
ChlorineTitle Fight
Title Fight is an American band that began its history in 2003 as a pop-punk group.
Over time, they gradually evolved their sound, gaining popularity as a post-hardcore band known for a melodic yet shadowy style.
Even on this track from their 2015 album Hyperview, they showcase their distinctive musicality, where intensity and softness coexist.
Gift and cursesYellowcard
Yellowcard, who have already announced that they’re disbanding.
A melodic hardcore band with a violin—creating a one-of-a-kind world both visually and sonically.
Their music was featured in the film Spider-Man 2, and their cinematic, grand expressiveness naturally lifts listeners’ spirits.
Way AwayYellowcard
Included on the 2003 album Ocean Avenue.
A four-piece band formed in 1997 from Florida.
They have a violinist in the lineup—a very rare setup for a punk band.
The hard punk rock sound accented by the violin creates a truly one-of-a-kind sound.
[Western Music] Full of Urgency and Bittersweet Feels! Recommended Melodic Hardcore Bands [2025] (81–90)
OversteppingBelmont
Formed in 2014 by members who were still in high school, Belmont is a band from Chicago, Illinois drawing attention in the current pop-punk revival.
Their self-titled debut album, released in 2018 via Mutant League Records, made it into the Billboard 200 despite being an independent release.
Beyond the melodic hardcore-style speed and pop-punk catchiness, their meticulously crafted band ensemble—built around surprisingly technical guitars and busy, intricate drumming—delivers a level of polish you wouldn’t expect from such a young group.
Their sound, shaped by the flexible sensibilities of young musicians influenced by hip-hop and prog, is seriously cool.
The band has since signed with Pure Noise Records, home to many popular acts, and in March 2022 released their second album, Aftermath, which broadened their musical range even further.
If you want to know what’s happening “right now” in pop-punk and melodic hardcore, Belmont is a name you’ll want to remember.
The Best I Ever HadThe Swellers
Included on the 2011 album “Good for Me.” A five-piece band from Michigan formed in 2002.
Their melodic lines evoke the good old days of melodic hardcore, with driving drums and guitars, and vocals that sing boldly with a touch of melancholy—everything about them is awesome.
I’ve Lost Track of EverythingMore Than Life
If you’re into the more hardcore-leaning side of melodic new school—think early SHAI HULUD—this band is a surefire pick.
There’s a headlong rush that feels like raw emotion turned into sound, guitar work that’s solid yet opens up melodically, and vocals bursting with melancholy.
Even on their debut album, Love Let Me Go, the level of refinement is striking.
They don’t just barrel ahead; their deft use of tempo changes creates dramatic arcs that really shine.
Highly recommended for those who prefer lyrical intensity over sheer brutality and don’t want things tipping too far into metal.
TrialVerbal Assault
Highly regarded in the hardcore scene and still influencing current bands, Verbal Assault formed in 1983 in Newport, Rhode Island.
Their sound—often categorized as hardcore punk, melodic hardcore, and post-hardcore—reached full maturity with their landmark 1987 release, Trial.
Seamlessly fusing melody and aggression, their music feels like a pure cry of emotion.
After tireless touring, they disbanded in 1991 to widespread regret, but reunited in 2021.
A band loved across generations, Verbal Assault is essential listening not only for longtime fans but for anyone seeking a sound that combines breakneck momentum with dramatic intensity.