I have recently been listening to a lot of emotive hardcore punk, and I feel compelled to share some rare gems with you readers. Enjoy.
Drive Like Jehu.
Great band from San Diego, CA that significantly influenced bands such as Swing Kids, the Locust, and Refused. A notable sense of melody underscored the band's spastic riffs and frenzied time signatures to create a unique and innovative sound.
Portraits of Past
Overlooked for virtually all of their short life span as a band, Portraits of Past are regarded as one of the pioneers of the "screamo" subgenre. With slower tempos, aggressive vocals, and a more minimalist approach, they helped discover a new manner in which to express the convictions of punk rock.
Still Life
A band truly at the forefront of the creation of emotive punk, Still Life was among the first bands to incorporate influences outside of the conventional boundaries of punk while opting for a different ascetic, mood, and demeanor in their expression. Rather than attempting to discover new ways to yell "fuck you!" in under a minute, Still Life set themselves apart from their peers with profound creativity.
- Joe