[Western Music] Both Speed and Bittersweetness! Recommended Melodic Hardcore (Melodic Punk) Bands [2025]

The AnthemGood Charlotte

Good Charlotte – The Anthem (Official Video)

Benji and Joel are twin brothers.

They formed a four-piece band centered around the two of them.

When they were 16, they left their parents’ home, and the story that they left with only Green Day and Rancid tapes has become a well-known anecdote among fans.

Their music—packed with speedy, lively tempos and outrageously feel-good melodies—reaches the height of excellence.

At Your FuneralSaves the Day

Saves the Day “At Your Funeral” – Official Music Video

A band of pure, 100% emotional melody.

The vocals, guitar, drums, and bass—each richly expressive note seeps into your body as you listen.

With a lineup of exquisite, beautiful melodies, there’s no avoiding the tear-jerking finale.

True BrewMillencolin

Millencolin – “True Brew”

A melodic punk band that proudly represents Sweden with a career spanning over 25 years.

Since their 1994 debut, they have never undergone a lineup change, and as a tightly bonded four-piece, they remain highly active even now in 2019.

On their latest release as of 2019, “SOS,” pay attention to the lyrics, which carry a strong message reflecting a society shaped by social media.

Sic Transit Gloria…Glory FadesBrand New

Brand New – Sic Transit Gloria…Glory Fades

Formed in 2000 on Long Island, New York, Brand New built a distinctive musical world rooted in emo and post-hardcore, pairing deeply affecting lyrics with a sound that is both dynamic and delicate.

They entered the scene with their 2001 album Your Favorite Weapon, and their second album, Deja Entendu, released in 2003, featured signature tracks like The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows and received high acclaim.

In 2017, their album Science Fiction proudly reached No.

1 on the U.

S.

album chart.

Their music, where ferocity and silence blend beautifully, leaves a vivid impression on listeners seeking an emotionally rich sonic experience.

New MedicinesDead Poetic

New Medicines

Formed in Ohio, USA, in 1997, Dead Poetic rose to prominence with a sound rooted in emo and post-hardcore, combining intensity with lyricism.

They burst onto the scene in March 2002 with the album “Four Wall Blackmail,” and the acclaimed follow-up “New Medicines” gained attention on MTV2, with their music also featured in the popular wrestling game WWE WrestleMania 21—clear proof of their prowess.

Their dramatic songs—contrasting emotion-stirring screams with beautiful clean vocals and underpinned by technical musicianship—led the album “Vices” to reach No.

7 on the U.

S.

Billboard Heatseekers chart.

For those seeking music where ferocity and delicacy coexist, Dead Poetic offers an unforgettable experience.

Not The SameBodyjar

Bodyjar – Not The Same

A four-piece band from Australia whose pop yet wistful melodies became their signature, influencing many in Japan’s melodic hardcore scene.

Since their 1994 debut they released albums steadily, but disbanded once in 2009.

They reunited in 2012 and, as of 2019, remain active.

While their sound has shifted somewhat from their early fast melodic punk, their true hallmark is, above all, the excellence of their melancholic, heartrending melodies.

U+I R 1Satanic Surfers

Satanic Surfers – U+I R 1

A melodic hardcore band with a wild, hardcore-leaning edge.

For those who are already full up on standard melodic punk, their songs are a must-listen.

Beyond their obvious technical skill, their masterful use of stop-and-go dynamics keeps the song structures fresh and engaging.