10 Early Deathcore Albums that Shaped the Genre

Deathcore crashed onto the heavy music scene in the early 2000s as an unholy amalgamation of death metal, hardcore, and metalcore. This genre doesn’t hold back—think pure speed and brutal heaviness, with growls and pig-squeals that shift into catchy metalcore-inspired vocals. And those breakdowns? They’re pure two-step inducing gold, sending hardcore kids crazy every time.

With the best elements from three popular metal subgenres, it’s no wonder deathcore exploded in popularity during the early 2000s. The scene is still thriving today, fueled by the ear-splitting classics that kicked it all off. Buckle up as we dive into the top 10 deathcore albums of the early 2000s—because trust us, no self-respecting deathcore playlist is complete without these heavy hitters!

1: Suicide Silence - The Cleansing

Dropped in 2007, Suicide Silence’s debut album The Cleansing unleashed 13 insane tracks that shook the deathcore scene to its core. Selling 7,250 copies in its first week alone, the album became one of the best-selling debuts in Century Media’s history. Not too bad for a bunch of relatively unknown guys from California! The Cleansing and Mitch Lucker’s deep growls launched Suicide Silence straight into the deathcore spotlight, and they’ve been ruling it ever since.

Oh, and here’s some fun facts for you: “Revelations (Intro)” kicks off with a sample from the iconic horror movie Freddy vs. Jason, while “Destruction of a Statue” features guest vocals by Nate Johnson formerly from Fit For An Autopsy. But that’s not all–the music video for “The Price of Beauty” was banned by MTV for being too gory. Now that’s what we call metal!

2: Whitechapel - This Is Exile

Named after the East London district which was the hunting ground for infamous serial killer, Jack the Ripper, Whitechapel have got brutality running through their veins. From their name to a list of intense tracks released since 2007, it’s no wonder they’re hailed as the GOATs of deathcore. 

Their 2008 album This Is Exile is nothing short of a classic. Phil Bozeman’s brutal vocals hit you in the gut, while the music slams you to the ground, and doesn’t let you back up for air from the first track to the eleventh. The album launched onto the scene with a different message from their previous work. While “The Somatic Defilement” focused on the grim tales of Jack the Ripper, This Is Exile cranked it up with themes of anti-religion and corruption that still resonate in Whitechapel’s sound today. 

3: Job For A Cowboy - Doom

One of the heavyweights on this list is Job For A Cowboy’s EP Doom, which is known as their only deathcore album before they switched gears to a more death metal vibe. Doom is named as the EP that helped shape the genre and it’s still a classic among deathcore die-hards today. 

These guys are crazy talented, with energy that is absolutely off the charts–we’re talking brutal vocals, heavy-hitting guitar riffs, and drum beats that roll right through your bones.

Special mention goes to track ”Entombment of a Machine”—that intro scream is legendary in the heavy-music scene. If you’ve spent any time on the metal side of TikTok, you’ve definitely heard that iconic sound used over and over again.

4: The Black Dahlia Murder - Miasma

Next up is a sometimes forgotten album by heavy-metal titans The Black Dahlia Murder: Miasma, released almost a decade ago in 2005, is a beast of an album and features ten bone-crushing tracks. The album is often hailed as both melodic death metal and deathcore, which really grinds the gears of metal elitists - but you know what, Miasma still deserves a spot on this list. 

With punk roots that slam hard in every riff, The Black Dahlia Murder are just one of those bands that assaults the listener's senses in all the best ways—every time. The late Trevor Strnad was a force of nature, his vocals are instantly recognizable and completely unmatched in the genre—no one can mimic those high-pitched screams.

5: Chelsea Grin - Self Titled EP

This list of deathcore classics wouldn’t be worth a damn if we didn’t shoutout Chelsea Grin. Back in 2008, the band released their Self Titled EP with vocalist Alex Koehler—their 14 minute debut hit the scene with a smack straight to the eardrums. It’s a pure chug-fest of sinister riffs, insane lyrics and unbeatable deathcore growls. 

Crank up the volume and get ready for the wildest 14 minutes of your life—pay special attention to fan favourites “Cheyne Srokes” and “Crewcabanger.” The most metal part of this whole thing? Chelsea Grin got their epic name from the brutal torture method known as the Glasgow Smile. We’ll let you look that one up for yourself…

6: Bring Me The Horizon - Count Your Blessings

Attention, newer Bring Me The Horizon fans—you might not know that these guys kicked things off as a deathcore powerhouse. In fact they were the band to listen to in 2006—thanks to their debut album, Count Your Blessings. 

Dropping in 2006 after their EP, This Is What The Edge Of Your Seat Was Made For, this album packs a punch. BMTH may have quickly ditched their deathcore roots, but Count Your Blessings still remains one of the best albums of the genre. Setting out to record an album that was heavy AF, brutal and extreme, Bring Me The Horizon nailed it. Every track plays into the tropes of early deathcore music, loaded with angsty lyrics, high-pitched shrieks, low growls and tonnes of breakdowns.

7: Despised Icon - The Ills of Modern Man

A list of influential deathcore albums cannot exist without including music from Canadian deathcore heroes, Despised Icon. Their first three albums were game-changers but special mention goes to The Ills of Modern Man, released in 2007 with ten headbanging tracks. On release the album sold more than 2,000 copies in its first week which led it to reach number 28 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers. Not too shabby!

Widely recognised as the band that defined deathcore, The Ills of Modern Man dives into themes of regret, fear, inhibition and disappointment. It’s a wild ride of chaotic death metal, hardcore interludes and metalcore touches—the album is technical, brutal and memorable. 

8: Oceano - Depths

Depths is the debut studio album by American deathcore giants Oceano—and hell, did they come out swinging. Released in 2007 with 15 full tracks, this album is heavy as hell. With jaw-dropping breakdowns and Adam Warren’s utterly inhumane vocals, Depths is one of the hardest albums that has ever come out of the genre.

To this day, Oceano are a force to be reckoned with; their vocalist is original and has been with the band since their formation in 2006, which is a feat in itself in the scene. The band set out to record the heaviest and most pissed off deathcore on the planet and Depths delivered—featuring relentless blast beats, slow heavy breakdowns and low, low growls.

9: The Red Chord - Clients

Let’s take it all the way back to 2005 with The Red Chord's second studio album, Clients, which announced the band as deathcore pioneers. The story behind the album is as raw as it gets—inspired by vocalist Guy Kozowyk’s early life as a convenience store employee, Clients highlights disability, addiction and mental illnesses. Each track sheds light on the lives of the people he encountered daily, whose struggles often went ignored.  

The album hits hard with its main message; everyone is fighting their own battles. Clients is a frenzied onslaught of aggression, growling vocals and lightning-fast blast beats—it’s an overwhelming listen, but one hell of a fun ride!

10: All Shall Perish - The Price of Existence

We’re wrapping things up on a high with what is known as the most intense metal album of 2006. The Price of Existence is the second offering from thrashers All Shall Perish, and it’s full of tracks that will slam you into pure exhaustion—trust us, your eardrums are in for a serious beating.

We’re talking brutal riffs, chugging breakdowns and intense shredding. Want to know some killer facts? There Is No Business To Be Done on a Dead Planet is a nod to environmentalist David Brower, tackling the grim reality of our dying Earth and mankind's negligence. Track seven, Greyson, got its name from rhythm guitarist Ben Orum’s then-newborn son—who said metal isn’t family friendly?

So, with this banging list in your arsenal, you’re primed to take on the world of deathcore with a fresh perspective. What are your favorite early 2000s deathcore albums? Let’s hear it!

Article by: Bronte Holly | Website | TikTok | Instagram | LinkedIn

• Subscribe to our Metal News Email Newsletter for free!
• Support The Metalverse and go ad-free.
• Check out our Musician Vault with in-depth music guides
• Metal Merch available here
• Follow us on Social Media | Instagram | Facebook |