[For Beginners] A Collection of Classic Melodic Punk (Melodic Hardcore) Songs

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

Even today in the 2020s, just hearing the word “melocore” is enough to make your heart race—there are surely many people, across generations, who feel that way.

While the term “melocore” is a Japan-only coinage, overseas the genre known as “melodic hardcore” is, quite literally, a style that draws on the aggressive hardcore of the ’80s while incorporating plenty of melodic, sing-along-ready parts.

It’s true that many bands have absorbed a variety of elements over time, but in this article we focus on songs that really make you want to call them “melocore,” highlighting classics that are perfect for beginners.

If you’re the type who wants to raise your fist and sing along with tears in your eyes, don’t miss this!