[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 Bittersweetness! Recommended Melodic Hardcore Punk Bands [2025] (21–30)
TodaySecondShot
Overall, Second Shot gives the impression that each track is short.
But it’s not just brevity—the intensity packed into each song is on an extraordinary scale.
Above all, the melodies are superb.
From melancholic, gloomy tearjerkers to optimistic, hope-stirring positive tunes.
Whenever you’re at a crossroads, their music will give you a push forward.
Heart A TactKid Dynamite
Included on the 2003 album “Cheap Shots, Youth Anthems.” A five-piece from Pennsylvania formed in ’97.
Their active period was short, but they’ve reunited twice.
They’re a band known for a hard-charging, street-punk-leaning sound accented by catchy pop melodies scattered throughout.
Anpan ManSnuff
A veteran punk band representing the UK and loved by everyone.
For over 30 years since their formation in 1986, they’ve continued a long-running career under NOFX’s label, Fat Wreck Chords, and they’re also well-known Japanophiles.
They’ve covered numerous Japanese songs across genres, and some tracks are sung properly in Japanese.
To get a feel for their unique character right away, start by listening to their guaranteed-to-make-you-laugh version of “Anpanman no March”!
justified Black eyeNo Use For A Name
Included on the 1995 album “¡Leche con Carne!”.
A four-piece from California formed in 1986.
Their sound is simple yet aggressive and brimming with speed, paired with powerful vocals.
They may be somewhat understated, but there’s no doubt about their abilities.
Bro HymnPennywise
From the 1991 album “Pennywise.” A four-piece band from California formed in 1988.
Among the many melodic hardcore bands, they’re distinguished by guitar work that approaches metal and an ultra-fast, thrash-like sound.
This song is an early signature track and is always played live.
It’s a classic that sings of bonds.
May 16Lagwagon
Included on the 1998 album “Let’s Talk About Feelings.
” A five-piece formed in 1990 from California.
They’re a band with real substance, not just momentum, who deliver not only the West Coast’s signature fast-paced melodic hardcore sound but also put their own spin on slow and mid-tempo tracks.
City LightsStrung Out
In the 2000s, bands emerged that brought metallic riffs into the so-called “emo” sound—there was even a time when people called it emo metal.
Watching them casually pull off tapping and lightning-fast runs really made it feel like a new era had arrived.
Speaking of pioneers who fused punk-rooted sounds with heavy metal elements, Strung Out undoubtedly comes to mind.
With two guitarists, their unique sound—driven by top-tier musicianship that blends the speed of melodic hardcore with metallic riffs and technical solos—has even been cited as an influence by Japan’s popular band FACT.
It’s no exaggeration to call them trailblazers among the bands labeled screamo, especially those leaning toward metal.
They’re still going strong in the 2020s, and their musical approach continues to evolve with each album.
For anyone who wants to enjoy both melodic hardcore and a metallic edge, I recommend their classic third album from 1998, Twisted by Design.
Kicking off with fan favorite Too Close to See, which also appears on their best-of collection, you can fully revel in Strung Out’s signature metallic-yet-melodic hardcore-punk to your heart’s content!