Who Is the Best Songwriter in Metalcore?

Songwriting may not always get the recognition it deserves in metalcore, unlike other heavy music genres. However, a thread on the Metalcore Reddit has sparked a conversation where fans are honoring some of the genre’s top songwriters.

The thread’s author initiated the discussion by suggesting several notable writers: “For me, there are a lot of fantastic writers in the genre, like Brian Wille (Currents), Marcus Vik (Invent Animate), or Jamie Hails (Polaris), but without a doubt, the best is Garrett Russell (Silent Planet),” stated the original post.

While these suggestions have their merits, none ended up topping the comments list in the thread. So, who did?

Tom Searle, the guitarist from Architects who passed away from cancer at the age of 28 back in 2016, was the name most frequently highlighted throughout the discussion.

“Tom’s lyrics and Sam [Carter’s] delivery will forever be legendary,” noted one commenter. Another fan added, “I know we’re beating the dead horse still, but God, what I would do for another album written by Tom. It’s not Architects’ fault but they will never make an album as good as that era.” Other accolades included, “Maybe I’m biased, but I don’t think it’s even a close call here. Tom’s songwriting was miles ahead of anything else I’ve heard in the genre,” and “To this day, I think that the lyrics and songwriting of Tom Searle are among the best, at the level of legends such as Chuck Schuldiner or Devin Townsend. The latest Architects material, even if I respect it and I’m not that upset about the change of sound, is nowhere near Tom’s mind. He was just above this league.”

Additionally, another commenter praised, “Tom Searle from Architects had the most intricate, touching yet powerful and technical songwriting abilities in my opinion.”

Killswitch Engage’s Adam Dutkiewicz also garnered plenty of mentions for his contributions to the band’s work and his influence on other groups in the genre through his production work. One fan argued, “If he didn’t produce your favorite Metalcore album from the mid-2000s, you can sure bet he inspired half the names on here to write their material you now love.” Another reiterated, “He’s the main songwriter in Killswitch Engage and he’s produced a ton of big name metalcore albums over the last two decades.” One pointed out, “[It’s the] only correct answer.”

Brendan Murphy from Counterparts and Mike Hranica from The Devil Wears Prada also received a fair amount of support. Murphy, the frontman for Counterparts, was backed by just shy of 190 people in the thread. Comments such as “No contest,” “2000%,” and “This is the only right answer, his stuff is consistently superb” echoed his supporters’ sentiments.

Meanwhile, Hranica, the vocalist for The Devil Wears Prada, has led the group to one of the most consistently solid careers in the genre. One fan shared, “I’m partial to Mike from Prada’s lyrics. I’ve probably heard the most relatable lyrics from Mike’s ponderous, raw songs. Like ‘Twenty Five’ and ‘Home for Grave’.” Another fan added, “Mike is an excellent choice. Especially starting with Dead Throne and forward.” Additionally, a third highlighted, “Mike is unreal, you could read some of his lyrics without any context to what the song is or sounds like and you’d think it was probably for another genre or just a poem. I mean he does actually write and have books for sale so he’s gifted.”

Other notable mentions included Josh Scogin (’68, ex-Norma Jean), Keith Buckley (ex-Every Time I Die, Many Eyes), and Landon Tewers (The Plot in You). The discussion is vibrant, filled with many fans eager to share their opinions on Metalcore’s best songwriters. For the complete discussion and to add your own thoughts, visit the Metalcore Reddit thread.

The Best Metalcore Album of Every Year Since 2000 is a gallery worth checking out, offering insights into the standout albums you’re sure to appreciate. From landmark releases to genre-defining records, the gallery provides a comprehensive look at the genre’s evolution over the years.

Source: Metalcore Reddit