Metal and hardcore have been successful and
productive allies ever since the first half of the ‘80s when bands like
Metallica and Slayer began injecting punk-like speed and ferocity into their
signature brand of heavy rock. The “crossover” of metal and hardcore has since
bared many delicious fruits including D.R.I., Cro-Mags, The Accused, and more
recently the violently aggressive Converge and the very popular Hatebreed. And
while some metal fans want there to be a considerable distance between metal
and hardcore (a “like one and hate the other” mentality) it cannot be denied
how tightly intertwined the genres have become, especially since the
oft-maligned metalcore subgenre has become so accepted and widespread over the
last decade or so. However, if the decidedly whiny clean vocals and copious
breakdowns of metalcore aren’t your style, then you have some more-than-decent
options at your disposal, and the Belgian black metal/hardcore crossover band
Oathbreaker and their latest album Eros|Anteros is well worth taking a look at.
