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

Fuck AuthorityPennywise

Pennywise – “Fuck Authority”

Veteran West Coast punks who took their name from the clown-like monster in Stephen King’s novel It.

Since their debut, they’ve consistently delivered political messages while dominating the scene with a fast-and-tight sound beloved by skaters.

Overcoming tragedies like members’ unforeseen accidents and departures, they’re still going strong and fully active as of 2019.

What HappenedH₂O

H2O What Happened

Included on the 2008 album “Nothing to Prove.” A five-piece band formed around the Morse brothers, Toby and Todd, who are from New York and formed the group in 1991.

They are now based on the West Coast.

They play poppy, highly melodic melodic hardcore that you wouldn’t expect from an East Coast band.

When If Not Now?Speedway

Speedway “When If Not Now?” Live at SBU HQ in Stockholm

Speedway, based in Stockholm, Sweden, is a five-piece band rooted in ’80s youth crew and Orange County hardcore from California.

Formed in 2019, they released their self-titled debut EP, Speedway, in 2020, which made a big splash in the hardcore scene.

Recognized for their unique style and momentum, they signed with Revelation Records in 2021.

On the EP Paradise and the full-length A Life’s Refrain, they enlisted members of Title Fight as producers, delivering a compelling sound that weaves melodic elements with influences from ’70s rock ’n’ roll.

If you’re drawn to the fusion of hardcore intensity and melody, or you’re a melodic hardcore fan looking for something fresh, this is a band you should definitely check out.

DeadboltThrice

Thrice – Deadbolt (Official Music Video)

Thrice, an experimental rock band from Irvine, California, has showcased a wide-ranging sound since their formation in 1998, spanning from post-hardcore to progressive rock.

They debuted with the 2000 album Identity Crisis, and The Artist in the Ambulance earned them a strong position on the U.

S.

charts.

If you enjoy melodic hardcore and metallic screamo, their first three albums are especially recommended.

That said, they continued to grow and garnered critical acclaim with The Alchemy Index, an ambitious work themed around the four classical elements.

Their sincere approach to music also extends to philanthropy, with album proceeds donated to various organizations.

Combining lineup stability—without member changes since their formation—with a constant drive for innovation, their music is ideal for anyone seeking a fusion of experimental sound and lyrical melody.

You’re Not You AnymoreCounterparts

Counterparts “You’re Not You Anymore” (Official Music Video)

A five-piece from Ontario, Canada.

They can be considered a leading presence in modern, lyrical (emo-leaning) hardcore, and had released six albums by 2019.

Rather than the speedy, two-beat drive of melodic hardcore, their hallmark is emotional, melodic guitar work and songs that repeatedly shift tempo.

Their tear-jerking, sing-along melodies truly come into their own when experienced live.

Hit Or MissNew Found Glory

New Found Glory – Hit Or Miss

Included on the 2000 album “New Found Glory.” A four-piece band from Florida formed in 1997.

Influenced by Green Day, they deliver melodic hardcore that rivals the originals.

It’s a fine track where a bright, poppy sound matches perfectly with soaring vocals.

The Big KnockoverNo Fun At All

No Fun At All – The Big Knockover (1997)

A veteran melodic punk band from Sweden, formed in the early 1990s.

Although they disbanded once in 2001, they later restarted and have continued to operate intermittently ever since.

Their hallmark is a solid sound strongly influenced by Bad Religion, combined with the wistful melodies characteristic of Scandinavia.

In 2019, they made a long-awaited return to Japan for a series of shows, proving their enduring popularity and vitality in the Japanese scene.