8 New And Upcoming Metalcore Bands To Watch in 2024
Bands (Left to right): Not Enough Space, The Ephemeral, Not Enough Space, Life Right Now
Written by Jesse Smith
2023 was an insane year for the scene as a whole, but the heavy music scene took new heights in 2023. Metalcore is back and is having a massive resurgence. Bands that were on our list last year have solidified their spot in our scene and have made huge names for themselves. This year, we are back with a list of who made it on our radar going into 2024. And in true Ghost Killer fashion, we had to keep it nostalgic.
Here is our Myspace Top 8 Metalcore Edition.
#1: Across The White Water Tower
Representing Rockland County, NY Across The White Water Tower is the spearhead of the new generation of scene-core music. Embodying the nostalgia of the early 2010’s metalcore that utilized inspirations from other genres like electronica, techno, and pop to create catchy and memorable heavy music. Back then, this style of music (while having a massive fanbase) was criticized for being a lot of 1’s and 0’s (referring to the fret numbers on a guitar that are used for “chug” patterns), but ATWWT are far from that stereotype. Having complex and progressive guitar riffs and drum patterns, this band is taking the best parts of what was and what is and mashing them together. ATWWT have been one of the most active DIY bands in the last couple years as they’ve been on tour with bands like Attack Attack, Alesana, ISetMyFriendsOnFIre, Vampires Everywhere and so much more. When it comes to brand awareness, no one does it better and with the recent release “A Lesson In Heart Safety” their trajectory is only up.
#2 Life Right Now
Personally, I have been a fan of Life Right Now since 2019 with their first ever single “Wolfpack”. But like many bands, COVID was a momentum stopper. But what is bent is not broken, and this quartet is back and better than ever. Having a similar vibe to another band on this list, they utilize the mix of heavy electronica and pop hooks with the heavier side of metalcore. Life Right Now are known for their high energy songs with incredible clean vocals and melodies. Their recent single release “Lights” is the perfect example of how fun and entertaining this band is to listen to and also showcasing why they are on this list. The songs are infectious and upbeat and are exactly what you need to pick you up and get you going.
#3 If Not For Me
Truthfully if you haven’t heard about If Not For Me by now you simply just aren't paying attention. Hailing from Harrisburg, PA, If Not For Me had a gigantic year in 2023. From signing to our friends in InVogue Records to releasing some of our favorite songs, this band truly deserves every modern metal listener’s attention. Being compared to hot new bands like Until I Wake and Catch Your Breath, INFM are focused on making undeniably contagious songs. Vocalist Patrick (Patty) Glover easily is one of the most talented vocalists in the scene being a double threat of amazing clean vocals and impactful screams. The band released their first single under InVogue in June titled “Demons” and that ushered in the new chapter for the band. Since then, the band has started taking off with one of their singles “Blameless” just shy of 1M streams. If Not For Me is another consistently active band right now and your chances of seeing them live are high so I suggest you go check out this incredible band now so you can say “I saw them when…”.
#4 Glasswaves
In 2024, We are finally recognizing “Metalcore” to be its own genre. Rightfully so as the bands that make up this genre have branched off and now have a variety of different sounds that still are classified under the metalcore umbrella. Glasswaves fits in the new school style of modern metalcore that is more sensual in approach with the heavy flair sprinkled in to remind you that they still can bang. Translation: They are sexy time music with breakdowns, and we here at GKE absolutely LOVE it. Traveling the same train as bands like Sleep Token and Bad Omens, Glasswave creates an atmosphere and vibe for their listener instead of jamming high energy and breakdowns down your throat. Emerging onto the scene earlier this year in a big way with their signing to up and coming indie label Tough Luck Music, The band is quickly seeing their rise in the scene. With only two singles out (their first single hitting over 300k streams) this band leaves a lot on the table going into 2024. Having some sense of suspense, I’m keeping a watchful eye on this band because with a couple more solid releases and live appearances, this band has the chance to skyrocket at any moment.
#5 The Ephemeral
Since we got the “Metalcore is a genre with different sounds” conversation over with, here is another band that sounds nothing like anyone else on this list but deserves to be here anyway. The Ephemeral is an Arizona based progressive metal band that truly made the best out of 2023. With the release of their first full length album titled “Your Burden Is Safe With Me” in late 2023, the singles that set up this release took this band to new heights. Being somewhere in the experimental realm, you never know exactly what you’re going to get with this band but all you know is that it will have a vibe and it will be fun to listen to. We worked with this band on the release of their song “Mayfly” which is where I heard of them first, and because of that I was instantly hooked. Taking risks in music can be hard, but when you have musicians that can execute like they do, it’s a beautiful thing. Pulling influences from genres that arn’t normal to see in Metalcore like shoegaze, the Ephemeral are here for all of the prog kids who grew up with Between The Buried And Me and Periphery. I am going to keep my eye on them to see how they ride this album going into 2024, but I believe they will make a huge impact especially in the south west area.
#6 Not Enough Space
Here is a band that made a massive impact in 2023. Not Enough Space out of sunny Florida has used social media to become and up and coming household name. If you are active in the metalcore social media circle of reactors and influencers, you have definitely heard or at least heard of Not Enough Space. Being compared to bands like Spiritbox, this band brings the heavy and the groove! There is no wonder in anyone’s mind why people have been flocking to this band. Check out their single “No Way Out” which has almost 2M streams on spotify, they have a nice balance between atmosphere and brutality with their breakdown being the thing that catches everyone’s attention on social media. I’ve had my eye on this band since early this year and to see the growth this band has made and maintained in just a year is mindblowing. They just announced their first full US tour with powerhouses Attila and Born Of Osiris for mid 2024 and if that isn’t a sign that they are about to take off, I don’t know what is.
#7 Last Night of Solace
Deep in the heart of Texas is a metalcore band that has it all. The look, the sound, the drive, and in 2024 I think they’ll have your heart… or atleast a majority of your ‘liked’ songs playlist. Last Night of Solace emerged onto the scene in 2022 but really caught their stride in 2023. Releasing their full length album “Too Far Gone” with appearances from Concepts, Chelsea Grin, and Notions, this band has a jam packed album filled with all the metalcore goodies. But in 2024, the music isn’t enough. Mixing the street wear and goth aesthetic, this band’s image is hitting the nail on the head with the trends that are coming back into the scene. Mix their aesthetic and their music, this band could be unstoppable! In 2023 they appeared at So What?! Music festival which solidified their place in the Texas and Southern US scene. Leaving 2023 on a high note with their new single “Fractured” which features Kellin Quinn, they are coming into 2024 full speed ahead.
#8 Face Yourself
Now, I’m aware that they are in the deathcore scene, but I don’t know if we’ll have a deathcore top 8 and I would kick myself for not giving this band the shoutout they deserved. If you want to talk about a powerhouse band, look no further than Face Yourself. Having some of the best players from the northeast scene, Face Yourself hit the internet like a ton of bricks. I truthfully have not been this blown away by a new heavy band since when Lorna Shore dropped Malfecium. Making a MASSIVE wave online, this band was a nominee for Nic Nocturnal’s ‘Breakthrough Artist’ without playing a single show. Attacking the internet like locusts, Everyone has been buzzing about this new powerhouse. They have announced their debut show for January 2024 in New Jersey with Signs of the Swarm and if they bring it live like they do in their music videos, we have the next hottest deathcore act. Mark my words.