Pentagram: Meatiest Deathcore Breakdowns

There is a lot of hate out there for Deathcore these days unfortunately from a lot of purists. I think that it can get tiresome if you’re overexposed to it, just like anything else, but it really injects a stale genre with a lot of extra flavor when done properly. Deathcore can be defined as any hybrid of the elements of modern death, with some degree of hardcore punk, and possibly another form of metal.  The earmark of the genre is the breakdown which represents a point of unity between all members of the band and their audience. It is often considered the heaviest section of a given song. Ultimately the breakdown ties together the song and unifies the theme. A good breakdown sucks the air out of a room and puts everyone on a “kill” setting. In short; bones break, blood flies, and people die. Each of these bands brings something interesting to the genre, rather than the simple "chugga chugga" that defines it. So without further ado, these are my favorite breakdowns.

"Fuckin' Bow Down!!" - Born of Osirs

5. Born of Osiris (Death, Hardcore, Prog)  "Abstract Art" This band definitely has a very strong proggressive leaning. This is by far this has to be one of the most clever breakdowns I've ever heard. Not only does the whole song sound like polyrhythmic masturbation session, but the keyboard takes the lead for the breakdown. Its definitely an eye opener and a neck breaker. It has left many a pit goer on the ground saying, "WTF!"

"I detest this life" - All Shall Perish

4. All Shall Perish (Technical Death, Hardcore, Thrash, Prog) "Never Ending War"  Being that this band essentially specializes in tech death, anything they play is gonna sound long winded and grandiose. Not so much the case with this breakdown...Its simple, efficient, emotional, and exceedingly brutal. Hate / Malice / Revenge!

"Where is your GOD!?" - Suicide Silence

3 Suicide Silence (Death, Hardcore, Nu) “Wake Up” "Wake Up" This is a very "love it / hate it" song from a "love it /  hate it" band. Mixing death with nu metal is definitely a no-no to most metalheads, but on their new album, I think it works pretty well. This is a slow, plodding, dragged out breakdown that just epitomizes heavy.

"If I ruled  the world...I'd kill all mankind" - The Acacia Strain

"You are dismembered.
Every entrail is consumed, none of your limbs shall go to waste." - Oceano

 

2. The Acacia Strain (Death, Hardcore, Experimental) "The Hills Have Eyes" If you were to ask me who the heaviest band on the planet was, despite their occasional goofiness, I'd probably tell you that it was the Acacia Strain. Not only are Vincent's lyrics some of the vicious bile-filled words ever put on page, but DL's guitar work is both masterful and minimalistic. Combining both equal influences of Hatebreed and Meshuggah, AS's songs are simultaneously simple for the mind, but tricky to the ear. The "Hills" breakdown is what every breakdown aspires to be. 

1. Oceano (Death, Hardcore, Doom) "Samael the Destroyer" Oceano's debut album was by far the most impressive deathcore album I've ever heard; hands down. In my humble opinion, the album was a masterpiece, every member did a perfect job with their parts. Its well orchestrated (*note I said "Orchestrated"), uncompromisingly heavy, groove-laiden, and stomach churning. In an album that essentially sounds like one long breakdown, with "StD" the band does a good job of injecting a lot of emotion and melody into the closing breakdown. It literally sounds like crushing despair coming out of every single member of the band and it's a beautiful thing.