{{Short description|Subgenre of emo music}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2021}} {{Infobox music genre | name = Screamo | other_names = Skramz | image = Orchid - Stierch.jpg | caption = Orchid performing in 2000 | image_size = | stylistic_origins = {{hlist|Emo|hardcore punk|post-hardcore}} | cultural_origins = Early 1990s, San Diego, California, U.S. | subgenres = {{hlist|Bedroom skramz|kittencore}} | derivatives = {{hlist|Pop screamo<ref name="Altpress-2015" />|sass}} | fusiongenres = {{hlist|Emo-crust|emoviolence|post-screamo}} | regional_scenes = {{hlist|New Jersey|Southern Ontario|the wave<ref name="Guardian, 2012">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jun/29/a-to-z-of-pop-genres-2012|title=The A-Z of pop in 2012|last1=Considine|first1=Clare|date=2012-06-29|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=2017-06-19|last2=Gibsone|first2=Harriet|issn=0261-3077|last3=Pattison|first3=Louis|last4=Richards|first4=Sam|last5=Rowe|first5=Sian}}</ref>|UKswell<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baines |first1=Huw |title=How Holy Roar Became The Bastion of British Hardcore |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/holy-roar-record-label-retrospective/ |website=Vice Media |access-date=25 January 2026 |date=3 June 2016}}</ref>}} | local_scenes = San Diego sound | other_topics = * Bands * screaming (music) * metalcore * Risecore }} '''Screamo''' (also referred to as '''skramz'''<ref name="MetalSucks-2010">{{cite web |url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2010/06/07/the-history-of-metalcorescreamo/ |title=The History of Metalcore/Screamo |publisher=MetalSucks |date=June 7, 2010 |access-date=January 18, 2018 |archive-date=June 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610213118/http://www.metalsucks.net/2010/06/07/the-history-of-metalcorescreamo/ |url-status=live }}</ref>) <!---please do not remove this sourced term without explanation-->is a subgenre of emo that emerged in the early 1990s and emphasizes "willfully experimental dissonance and dynamics".<ref name="Heller">Jason Heller, "[http://www.westword.com/2002-06-20/music/feast-of-reason/print Feast of Reason]". ''Denver Westword'', June 20, 2002. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331231921/http://www.westword.com/2002-06-20/music/feast-of-reason/print|date=March 31, 2012}} Access date: June 15, 2008</ref> San Diego–based bands Heroin and Antioch Arrow pioneered the genre in the early 1990s, and it was developed in the late 1990s mainly by bands from the East Coast of the United States such as Pg. 99, Orchid, Saetia, and I Hate Myself. Screamo is strongly influenced by hardcore punk and characterized by the use of screamed vocals.<ref name="ScreamoAM">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/explore/style/screamo-d13459|title=Explore style: Screamo|date=2010|publisher=AllMusic|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017103638/http://www.allmusic.com/explore/style/screamo-d13459|archive-date=October 17, 2010|access-date=January 12, 2015}}</ref> Lyrical themes usually include emotional pain, death, romance, and human rights.<ref name="Jimd">Jim DeRogatis, "[http://www.jimdero.com/OtherWritings/OtherScreamoGW.htm Screamo]", ''Guitar World'', November 2002 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613222328/http://www.jimdero.com/OtherWritings/OtherScreamoGW.htm|date=June 13, 2023}} Access date: July 18, 2008</ref> The term "screamo" has frequently been mistaken as referring to any music with screaming.<ref name="ScreamoAM" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://emertainmentmonthly.org/2014/10/09/six-bands-bringing-respect-back-screamo-vocals/|title=Six Bands Bringing Respect Back to 'Screamo' Vocals|last=Morgan|first=Phillip|date=October 9, 2014|work=<!--- This is how it is spelled. Do NOT change it to "Entertainment Monthly"! --->Emertainment Monthly|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319080400/http://emertainmentmonthly.com/2014/10/09/six-bands-bringing-respect-back-screamo-vocals/|archive-date=March 19, 2015}}</ref>
==Characteristics== {{listen | filename = Bang_Yer_Head.ogg | title = "Bang Yer Head" by Portraits of Past | description = An example of early screamo by Portraits of Past, an influential band which helped define the genre.<ref>Telang, Veethi. ''Buzzle: Intelligent Life on the Web''. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110402042111/http://www.buzzle.com/articles/good-screamo-songs.html "Good Screamo Songs"]}}.</ref> | filename2 = Thursday_Cross_Out_The_Eyes.ogg | title2 = "Cross Out the Eyes" by Thursday | description2 = An example of screamo's influence on mainstream music, popularized by Thursday in the early 2000s.<ref name="ScreamoAM"/> | filename3 = Loma_Prieta_-_Fly_By_Night.ogg | title3 = "Fly by Night" by Loma Prieta | description3 = An example of contemporary screamo by Loma Prieta, featuring harsh vocals, stylistic transitions, and emotional lyrics. }} <!--- DO NOT remove the 3 sound files demonstrating various eras of screamo and screamo-influenced music. There are references in the body supporting each. --->
Screamo is a style of hardcore punk-influenced emo with screaming.<ref name="ScreamoAM" /> Alex Henderson of AllMusic considers screamo a bridge between hardcore punk and emo, and Andrew Sacher of BrooklynVegan states the genre is "built on chaos".<ref>{{cite web |last=Henderson |first=Alex |title=Let It Enfold You - Senses Fail |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/r793934 |access-date=December 15, 2011 |publisher=AllMusic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sacher |first=Andrew |title=15 Best Emo & Post-Hardcore Albums of 2004 |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/15-best-emo-post-hardcore-albums-of-2004/ |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=BrooklynVegan |language=en-US}}</ref> Screamo uses typical rock instrumentation, but is notable for its brief compositions, chaotic sounds, harmonized guitars, and screaming vocals.<ref name="SanDiegoReader">{{cite news |last=Keltz |first=Dryw |date=November 22, 2006 |title=Screamo, San Diego's Baby |url=http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2006/nov/22/screamo-san-diegos-baby/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402181628/http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2006/nov/22/screamo-san-diegos-baby/ |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |access-date=February 1, 2015 |work=San Diego Reader}}</ref> Screamo is characterized "by frequent shifts in tempo and dynamics and by tension-and-release catharses".<ref name="JohnNYT" /> Many screamo bands also incorporate ballads.<ref name="SanDiegoReader" /> According to AllMusic, screamo is "generally based in the aggressive side of the overarching punk-revival scene".<ref name="ScreamoAM" /> Screamed vocals are used "not consistently, but as a kind of crescendo element, a sonic weapon to be trotted out when the music and lyrics reach a particular emotional pitch".<ref name="JohnNYT" /> Emotional singing and harsh screaming are common vocals in screamo.<ref name="ScreamoAM" />
[[File:Off_Minor_(1).jpg|thumb|left|190px|Screamo band Off Minor performing, June 2008]]
Screamo lyrics often feature topics such as emotional pain, breakups, romantic interest, politics, and human rights.<ref name="Jimd" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Chandler |first=Michael Alison |date=April 13, 2006 |title=Angst Amplified in Songs |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/12/AR2006041202059.html |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> These lyrics are usually introspective, similar to that of softer emo bands.<ref name="ScreamoAM" /> ''The New York Times'' noted that "part of the music's appeal is its un-self-conscious acceptance of differences, respect for otherness." Some screamo bands openly demonstrate acceptance of religious, nonreligious, and straight edge lifestyles.<ref name="JohnNYT" />
Many screamo bands in the 1990s saw themselves as implicitly political, and as a reaction against the turn to the right embodied by California politicians, such as Roger Hedgecock.<ref>Interview with Justin Pearson on Skatepunk.net, [http://www.skatepunk.net/articles/jpiview.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080628053100/http://www.skatepunk.net/articles/jpiview.html|date=June 28, 2008}} Access date: June 13, 2008</ref> Some groups were also unusually theoretical in inspiration: Angel Hair cited surrealist writers Antonin Artaud and Georges Bataille,<ref name="Heller" /> and Orchid lyrically name-checked French new wave icon Anna Karina, German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, French philosopher Michel Foucault, and critical theory originators the Frankfurt School.<ref>Orchid, ''Dance Tonight, Revolution Tomorrow''. ''Allmusic Guide''. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r615293|pure_url=yes}}] Access date: June 17, 2008.</ref>
==Etymology== The term screamo is a portmanteau of the words "scream" and "emo".<ref>{{cite web |title=Sometimes, all you can do is screamo |url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2019/02/16/sometimes-all-you-can-do-is-screamo/ |website=East Bay Times |access-date=18 January 2026 |date=16 February 2019}}</ref> While the genre was developing in the early 1990s, it was not initially called "screamo".<ref>Ebullition Catalog, Portraits of Past discography. [http://www.ebullition.com/catalog32.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710165444/http://www.ebullition.com/catalog32.html|date=July 10, 2011}} Access date: August 9, 2008.</ref> The term began to be used by the mid-1990s, solely amongst the DIY hardcore scene.<ref name="McKenty, 2010" /> Chris Taylor, lead vocalist for the band Pg. 99, said "we never liked that whole screamo thing. Even during our existence, we tried to venture away from the fashion and tell people, 'Hey, this is punk.{{' "}}<ref name="NPRorg">Lars Gotrich, [https://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2011/08/16/139675216/pg-99-a-document-revisited ''Pg. 99: A Document Revisited''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424140029/http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2011/08/16/139675216/pg-99-a-document-revisited |date=April 24, 2015 }}: NPR Music Interview</ref> Jonathan Dee of ''The New York Times'' wrote that the term "tends to bring a scornful laugh from the bands themselves".<ref name="JohnNYT">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/29/magazine/the-summer-of-screamo.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all|title=The Summer of Screamo|last=Dee|first=Jonathan|date=June 29, 2003|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 11, 2010|archive-date=June 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613222328/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/29/magazine/the-summer-of-screamo.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Corruption=== Following the late 1990s popularity of screamo-adjacent band the Locust, screamo began to attract the attention of people outside of hardcore, and its name was being used more broadly.<ref name="McKenty, 2010" /> During the early 2000s, the term became equally as tied to the original screamo sound, as to the more melodic, but screamo-influenced, pop screamo sound of Alexisonfire, Poison the Well and the Used.<ref name="Martins, 2024">{{cite web |last1=Martins |first1=Jorge |title=These 10 Bands Helped Bring Screamo to the Mainstream, and They're All Great |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/these_10_bands_helped_bring_screamo_to_the_mainstream_and_theyre_all_great-166587 |website=www.ultimate-guitar.com |access-date=25 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref> In 2003, Derek Miller, guitarist for Poison the Well, noted the term's constant differing usages and jokingly stated that it "describes a thousand different genres".<ref name="Screamo">{{cite web|url=http://www.jimdero.com/OtherWritings/OtherScreamoGW.htm|title=Screamo|publisher=Jimdero.com|access-date=December 15, 2011|archive-date=June 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613222328/http://www.jimdero.com/OtherWritings/OtherScreamoGW.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2008, Bert McCracken, lead singer of the Used, stated that screamo is merely a term "for record companies to sell records and for record stores to categorize them".<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Greenwald|first=Andy|date=November 21, 2003|title=Screamo 101|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/11/21/screamo-101/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|issue=738|access-date=August 2, 2008|archive-date=November 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111042806/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,543090,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
By the mid-2000s, the popularity of pop screamo had led to the word "screamo" being used loosely to describe any use of screamed vocals in music.<ref name="ScreamoAM" /> In 2007, Juan Gabe, vocalist for the screamo band Comadre, alleged that the term "has been kind of tainted in a way, especially in the States".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yellowisthenewpink.com/articles_detail.php?idno=21|title=Comadre - hc/punk/screamo from redwood city/california|date=April 18, 2007|website=Yellow is the New Pink|access-date=August 2, 2008|archive-date=August 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810091259/http://yellowisthenewpink.com/articles_detail.php?idno=21|url-status=live}}</ref> Quinn Villarreal of ''Sirius XM'' observed, "If a song had singing AND screaming in it, your grandmother and/or school bully probably called it screamo."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Villarreal |first=Quinn |title=Emo Through the Years: Explore the Ever-Evolving Genre |url=https://www.siriusxm.com/blog/emo-day-genre-evolution |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=SiriusXM |language=en}}</ref>
===Recodification=== To combat the increasingly broad-nature of "screamo", the retronym "skramz" began to be used to describe the original DIY definition of screamo.<ref name="NPRorg" /> This term was coined jokingly by Alex Bigman of San Diego bands Seeing Means More and Fight Fair.<ref name="McKenty, 2010">{{cite web |first=Finn |last=McKenty |author-link=Finn McKenty |url=http://www.stuffyouwillhate.com/2010/01/do-u-3-teh-skramz-lyfe.html |title=Stuff You Will Hate: Do u <3 TEH SKRAMZ LYFE??? |accessdate=May 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20100108223214/http://www.stuffyouwillhate.com/2010/01/do-u-3-teh-skramz-lyfe.html |archive-date=January 8, 2010}}</ref> This codification also saw the rise of the term "pop screamo", for the more mainstream derivative,<ref name="Martins, 2024" /> as well as its synonyms "MTV screamo"<ref name="Wyatt, 2021">{{cite journal |last1=Wyatt |first1=Brett Daniel |title=“The New Reality”: Hardcore's Shifting Authenticities Under Capitalist Realism |journal=The University of Regina (Canada) ProQuest Dissertations & Theses |date=2021 |quote=In the mid-00s, some bands similar to emo pop bands, with heavy metal riffs, metal core performance styles, pop song structures, and screaming vocals, were mistaken as "screamo" because of the misuse of the word "screamo", and because they were completely different from the aforementioned screamo, they were extremely popular in the market, signed to record labels, released official albums, and often performed on MTV, known as "MTV screamo" or "pop screamo"}}</ref> and "mall screamo".<ref name="Mall Screamo">{{Cite web |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2015/04/14/spencer-sotelo-new-skrillex-mall-screamo-back-bb/ |title=Spencer Sotelo is the new SKRILLEX |website=metalsucks.net |date=2015-04-14 |access-date=2026-01-25}}</ref> Lars Gotrich of NPR Music made the following comment on the matter in 2011:<ref name="NPRorg" /> {{cquote |The screamo scene [has] change[d] a lot in the last 10 years. There used to be more creative bands like Circle Takes the Square and City of Caterpillar. And then it took this route where screamo got really streamlined and unrecognizable to the point where someone hilariously invented the term ''skramz'' to distinguish the first wave of screamo bands.}}
==History== ===Origins (early 1990s)=== {{see also|Emo#Screamo}} Around 1990 and 1991, a number of bands began pushing the sound of early emo into more extreme and chaotic territory. The earliest of these acts were New Jersey's Iconoclast and Merel, however the most influential acts were those from San Diego and signed to Gravity Records.<ref name="Sfetcu-2006">{{cite book |last1=Sfetcu |first1=Nicolae |title=The Music Sound |date=2006 |quote=Hardcore Emo is a style of music that existed primarily in the early-mid 90s, also known as "chaotic emo". Many Hardcore Emo bands are often misinterpreted as Emo Violence bands. The first hints of the sound began with bands like "Merel" and "Iconoclast" on the East Coast, but it is considered to have primary started in 1991 by the San Diego band Heroin. The sound is most associated with that and other bands on Gravity Records at the time. Hardcore Emo took the emo sound of bands like Indian Summer, Embassy, Current, Still Life, etc. and made it faster and much more chaotic. Some later bands that followed include Antioch Arrow, Mohinder, Portraits of Past, Swing Kids, Honeywell, Angel Hair, Assfactor 4, Palatka and John Henry West.}}</ref> In particular, Heroin are the band generally cited as either pioneering screamo or being the band that inspired the earliest acts in the genre,<ref name="Sfetcu-2006" /><ref>{{cite web |title=10 Essential Screamo Albums |date=February 20, 2014 |url=https://www.treblezine.com/10-best-screamo-albums/ |access-date=30 October 2023}}</ref><ref name="Sacher-2020">{{cite web |last1=Sacher |first1=Andrew |title=25 essential screamo albums from the '90s/'00s that still hold up today |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/25-essential-screamo-albums-from-the-90s00s-that-still-hold-up-today/ |website=Brooklyn Vegan |date=April 17, 2020 |access-date=30 October 2023 |archive-date=November 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106204008/https://www.brooklynvegan.com/25-essential-screamo-albums-from-the-90s00s-that-still-hold-up-today/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with other notable bands from the city, including Angel Hair, Antioch Arrow and Swing Kids.<ref name="Sacher-2020" /> These early San Diego screamo bands were sometimes called "spock rock" by fans due to many of them dyeing their hair black and cutting straight fringes similar to the ''Star Trek'' character Spock. This, in combination with their geek-chic style of dressing would prove particularly influential on the development of the subsequent emo and scene subcultures.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stewart |first1=Ethan |title=FROM HARDCORE TO HARAJUKU: THE ORIGINS OF SCENE SUBCULTURE |url=https://www.popmatters.com/scene-subculture-origins-hardcore-harajuku |website=PopMatters |date=May 25, 2021 |access-date=31 October 2023 |archive-date=May 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525180042/https://www.popmatters.com/scene-subculture-origins-hardcore-harajuku |url-status=live }}</ref>
In New Jersey, the genre continued to grow, soon expanding into New York City. Native Nod, Rye Coalition, 1.6 Band, and Rorschach all became prominent in this scene, which was centred around ABC No Rio,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sfetcu |first1=Nicolae |title=American Music |date=9 May 2014 |page=340 |quote=At the same time, in the New York/New Jersey area, bands such as Native Nod, Merel, 1.6 Band, Policy of 3, Rye Coalition and Rorschach were feeling the same impulse. Many of these bands were involved with the ABC No Rio club scene in New York, itself a response to the violence and stagnation in the scene and with the bands that played at CBGBs, the only other small venue for hardcore in New York at the time. Much of this wave of emo, particularly the San Diego scene, began to shift towards a more chaotic and aggressive form of emo, nicknamed screamo.}}</ref> while the sound expanded to elsewhere in the United States with Universal Order of Armageddon (from Baltimore) and Mohinder (from Cupertino, California).<ref name="Sftecu, screamo">{{cite book |last1=Sfetcu |first1=Nicolae |title=The Music Sound |date=2006 |quote=Screamo History: In California in the early 1990s, Gravity Records from San Diego released many defining records of this style. Significant Emo bands from this time include Heroin, Angel Hair, Antioch Arrow, Universal Order of Armageddon Swing Kids, and Mohinder. In the New York/New Jersey era, bands such as Native Nod, Merel, 1.6 Band, Rye Coalition and Rorschach were feeling the same impulse. The labels Gern Blandsten Records and Troubleman Records released many of the influential records from that region and era. Many of these bands were involved with the ABC No Rio club scene in New York, itself a response to the violence and stagnation in the scene and with the bands that played at CBGBS, the only other small venue for hardcore in New York at the time.}}</ref>
===Diversification (mid–to late 1990s)=== [[File: Live-pg.99.jpg|thumb|Screamo band Pg. 99 performing in Reading, Pennsylvania]] Many bands in the southern United States began pushing the early screamo sound even further sonically. Columbia, South Carolina band In/Humanity coined the term "emoviolence" to describe this sound, played by them, as well as Florida bands Palatka and the End of the Century Party. When coined, the term was a tongue in cheek portmanteau of "emo" and "powerviolence", two genre descriptions the members of In/Humanity maligned, as well as a reference to the album ''Emotional Violence'' by funk band Cameo, however as subsequent bands took influence from the sound of these groups, the term became increasingly widespread.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sfetcu |first1=Nicolae |title=The Music Sound |date=2006 |quote=Emo Violence or "Emoviolence", also related to screamo and Hardcore Emo, is a subgenre of music that evolved from Hardcore in the early 1990s, primarily in the Southeast of the United States - Florida in particular, (this can be seen on the Southeast Hardcore, Fuck Yeah!! compilation). This form of music uses vocals pushed past the point of normal sound by yelling and screaming, with occasional spoken words or singing. Emo Violence is often poorly recorded to give it a foggy, low-fidelity sound. Although just as loud as Grindcore, it ends up being much less technical and dark sounding than Napalm Death or as crunchy and angular as Pig Destroyer.<br>Emo Violence is the direct link from Emo to Screamo through reprocessing of influences. The term was originally coined by the group In/Humanity as a joke in reference to their own band and friend's bands Palatka and End of the Century Party. The tongue-in-cheek genre descriptor was a play on other meaningless genre descriptors of the time: (namely emo and powerviolence). In/Humanity claims that the phrase actually comes from the song "Emotional Violence" by the funk group Cameo...<br>The term Emo Violence was originally created by the band In/Humanity as a joke. Chris Bickel, the band's front man, took the name from the Cameo album "Emotional Violence", the usage itself an ironically joking play on the term power violence, as used to describe bands like Infest, Man Is The Bastard and Spazz. The term then began to be used to refer to other bands in the southeast that played a similar style such as Palatka and End of the Century Party (whose split 7" is perhaps the quintessential emo violence record). Although the term became more commonplace in the underground hardcore scene, it was always seen as a tongue-in-cheek description, but was used by bands who wanted to separate themselves from emotive hardcore and hated the term "screamo". Bands who play emo violence today (in the EOTCP/Palatka sense of the genre) are few and far between - Those who claim the genre usually have little similarity to its founding fathers.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Walker |first1=Matt |title=Gainesville Punk A History of Bands & Music |date=2016 |publisher=History Press |page=98 |quote=Between booking shows, touring and recording, Palatka quickly found a kinship in bands like The End of the Century Party and South Carolina's In/Humanity. A subgenre name even sprung up around Palatka and their peers: emoviolence. The term was a joke that originated with In/Humanity, based on the rampant naming of punk subgenres of the time; it combined the increasingly maligned "emo" descriptor with the similarly mocked "powerviolence". Although it was meant as a joke, the term lingered and remains associated with those bands.}}</ref>
In San Francisco, Portraits of Past were one of the earliest groups to merge the primitive screamo sound with post-rock.<ref name="Sacher-2020" /> The band's 1993 demo and 1994 split EP with Bleed, showcased a higher pitched scream than many prior bands in the genre, which would set the standard style for vocalists to come.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Conspiracy |first1=D. I. Y. |title=What is Kittencore? |url=https://diyconspiracy.net/terms/kittencore/ |access-date=4 February 2026 |date=28 May 2021}}</ref> Their fusion with post-rock was continued by Funeral Diner, while also embracing the influence of black metal.<ref name="Sacher-2020" />
During the mid-1990s, Southern Ontario, Canada developed a populace and diverse hardcore scene. One element of this scene was bands who played music inspired by screamo, the most prominent of which were Grade, New Day Rising and Shotmaker, and based around the annual S.C.E.N.E. Music Festival.<ref>{{cite web |last1=GORMELY |first1=IAN |title=Inside the Career of Alexisonfire, Canada's Greatest, Least Likely Success Story |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/inside_the_career_of_alexisonfire_canadas_greatest_least_likely_success_story |website=Exclaim! |access-date=20 October 2025}}</ref> Grade had begun their career playing a style indebted to Chokehold. However, by the time of their debut album ''And Such Is Progress'' (1995), they had departed into a style more informed by Indian Summer, Rye Coalition and Lincoln. With this change, vocalist Kyle Bishop began contrasting his screams with sung vocals inspired by James Brown, Black Francis and Bob Mould.<ref name="Noecho">{{cite web |last1=Ramirez |first1=Carlos |title=Kyle Bishop (Grade, Acrid, The Black Maria, The Swarm) |url=https://www.noecho.net/interviews/kyle-bishop-grade-acrid-the-black-maria-the-swarm |access-date=20 October 2025}}</ref> This fusion was widely influential.<ref name="Noecho" /> Writers, including David Marchese of ''Spin'' and Michael Barclay, have credited Grade with creating screamo.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Marchese |first1=David |title=Album of the Year: Fucked Up - David Comes to Life |journal=Spin |date=Jan-Feb 2012 |page=69 |quote=Grade from little Burlington, Ontario, were the first ones to do screamo. That caused a seismic shift in music. Nobody knows who Grade is.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Barclay |first1=Michael |title=Hearts on Fire Six Years that Changed Canadian Music 2000-2005 |date=April 26, 2022 |publisher=ECW Press |page=427 |quote=Grade, a band credited with taking the emo genre of aggressive music and transforming it into screamo}}</ref> While journalist Sam Southerland credited them as the first band to "seamlessly" merge screaming and singing, also stating "They occupy the same space as Refused: they did something incredibly innovative... they either get no credit because their progeny is hideous, or they’re dismissed because serious music journalists don’t pontificate about bands Alternative Press covered."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Barclay |first1=Michael |title=Hearts on Fire Six Years that Changed Canadian Music 2000-2005 |date=April 26, 2022 |publisher=ECW Press |page=427 |quote=They occupy the same space as Refused: they did something incredibly innovative, and unfortunately almost everyone who followed in their footsteps sucks absolute shit. So they either get no credit because their progeny is hideous, or they’re dismissed because serious music journalists don’t pontificate about bands Alternative Press covered. But there really was no one doing the seamless integration of the screaming and singing that Grade did on [1997’s] Separate the Magnets and totally perfected on [1999’s] Under the Radar. }}</ref>
Towards the end of the 1990s and into the 2000s, Virginia developed a large and influential screamo scene: Pg. 99, who continued in the extreme and chaotic screamo sound; City of Caterpillar, who were one of the most influential early bands to merge screamo with post-rock; Majority Rule who merged the genre with metalcore; and Malady who merged post-inflected screamo with indie rock. All of which released albums which ''BrooklynVegan'' writer Andrew Sacher called essential albums in the genre.<ref name="Sacher-2020" /> One of the most influential bands to come from the New York City screamo scene was Saetia, who formed in 1997 and created a sound influenced by math rock, jazz and Midwest emo. Following Saetia's 1999 disbandment, its members formed the similarly influential bands Off Minor and Hot Cross. Other impactful groups in the genre at this time included Jeromes Dream, Neil Perry, I Hate Myself, Reversal of Man, Yaphet Kotto and Orchid.<ref name="Sacher-2020" />
===Mainstream crossover (2000s)=== Following the release of their 2001 album ''Full Collapse'', New Jersey's Thursday were the first screamo-influenced band to gain significant media attention.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cohen |first1=Ian |last2=Anthony |first2=David |last3=Corcoran |first3=Nina |last4=Garland |first4=Emma |last5=Nelson |first5=Brad |title=The 100 Greatest Emo Songs of All Time A sweeping look at rock's most misunderstood genre. |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/best-emo-songs.html |website=Vulture |date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=31 October 2023 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213181251/https://www.vulture.com/article/best-emo-songs.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The following year, saw the release of Canada's Alexisonfire's self-titled album, which ''Metal Hammer'' writer Matt Mills called "key in legitimising the screamo sound".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mills |first1=Matt |title=Every Alexisonfire album ranked from worst to best |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/every-alexisonfire-album-ranked-from-worst-to-best |website=Metal Hammer |date=June 27, 2023 |access-date=31 October 2023 |archive-date=October 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031230249/https://www.loudersound.com/features/every-alexisonfire-album-ranked-from-worst-to-best |url-status=live }}</ref> In the following years, the Used, Thrice, Finch and Silverstein all gained significant attention for furthering this sound.<ref name="ScreamoAM" /><ref name="JohnNYT"/> In contrast to the do-it-yourself screamo bands of the 1990s, screamo bands such as Thursday and the Used signed multi-album contracts with labels such as Island Def Jam and Reprise Records.<ref>Greenwald, p. 149.</ref> However, this style's connection to the genre has been disputed, with some referring to it as "MTV screamo"<ref name="MetalSucks-2010" /> or "pop-screamo".<ref name="Altpress-2015">{{cite web |date=October 13, 2015 |title=10 Defunct Pop-Screamo Bands You Totally Missed The Boat On - Features - Alternative Press |url=https://www.altpress.com/features/entry/10_defunct_pop_screamo_bands_you_totally_missed_the_boat_on |access-date=January 18, 2018 |publisher=Altpress.com |archive-date=January 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107061344/https://www.altpress.com/features/entry/10_defunct_pop_screamo_bands_you_totally_missed_the_boat_on |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In the underground screamo scene, post-rock became an increasingly prominent influence amongst bands. The most prominent and influential of these acts was Richmond, Virginia's City of Caterpillar,<ref name="Sacher-2020" /> who ''Vice'' writer Jason Heller stated "encompass [the] era".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/city-of-caterpillar-retrospective/|title=Ambient Apocalypse: How City of Caterpillar Encompassed an Era|website=Noisey|date=May 20, 2016|language=en-us|access-date=July 18, 2017|archive-date=January 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118181226/https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/r7py5q/city-of-caterpillar-retrospective|url-status=live}}</ref> Music critics coined the term "post-screamo" to refer to this sound.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ECsEAAAAMBAJ|title=CMJ New Music Monthly|journal=CMJ New Music|date=2004|publisher=CMJ Network, Inc.|language=en|issn=1074-6978}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.gazettextra.com/20170126/the_get_down_touche_amore_radiator_hospital_curse_words_bummer_jams|title=The Get Down: Touche Amore, Radiator Hospital, Curse Words, bummer jams|last=Ward|first=Xavier|date=January 26, 2017|access-date=July 17, 2017|archive-date=February 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203181744/http://www.gazettextra.com/20170126/the_get_down_touche_amore_radiator_hospital_curse_words_bummer_jams|url-status=dead}}</ref> Other prominent acts making this sound at the time included Circle Takes the Square, Raein, Envy and Daïtro.<ref name="Sacher-2020" /> Fluff Fest, held in Czechia since 2000, was in 2017 described by Bandcamp Daily as a "summer ritual" for many fans of screamo in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://daily.bandcamp.com/2017/09/20/czech-diy-list/|title=The Sincere and Vibrant World of the Czech DIY Scene|publisher=Bandcamp|first=Jacopo|last=Sanna|date=September 20, 2017|access-date=October 7, 2017|archive-date=March 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312223729/https://daily.bandcamp.com/2017/09/20/czech-diy-list/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In Spain, bands such as Hongo, Das Plague, Ekkaia, Madame Germen and Blünt merged crust punk with elements of screamo, such as melodic minor key guitar leads, slow segues and acoustic passages. At the time, this fusion was called "emo crust". By 2002, Ekkaia and had toured with the American crust punk band Tragedy, and subsequently adopted elements of each other's styles creating the neo-crust genre.<ref name="Neocrust DIY">{{cite web |title=Neocrust |url=https://diyconspiracy.net/terms/neo-crust/ |access-date=30 December 2024}}</ref>
=== Underground reclamation (2010s) === {{See also|The wave (music)}} In the early 2010s the term "screamo" began to be largely reclaimed by a new crop of do-it-yourself bands, with many screamo acts, like Loma Prieta, Pianos Become the Teeth, La Dispute, and Touché Amoré releasing records on fairly large independent labels such as Deathwish Inc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deathwishinc.com/bands/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010918225204/http://www.deathwishinc.com/bands/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 18, 2001|title=Deathwish Inc.|date=September 18, 2001}}</ref> In 2011 ''Alternative Press'' noted that La Dispute is "at the forefront of a traditional-screamo revival" for their critically acclaimed release ''Wildlife''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/reviews/entry/la_dispute_wildlife|title=La Dispute - Wildlife - Reviews - Alternative Press|website=Alternative Press|date=December 27, 2011|language=en|access-date=June 19, 2017|archive-date=January 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120109085346/http://www.altpress.com/reviews/entry/la_dispute_wildlife|url-status=live}}</ref> They are a part of a group of stylistically similar screamo-revival bands self-defined as the wave, made up of Touché Amoré, La Dispute, Defeater, Pianos Become the Teeth, and Make Do and Mend.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caughtinthecrossfire.com/music/la-dispute-interview/|title=La Dispute Interview {{!}} Features {{!}} Caught in the Crossfire|website=www.caughtinthecrossfire.com|language=en|access-date=June 19, 2017|archive-date=March 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310050357/http://www.caughtinthecrossfire.com/music/la-dispute-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jun/29/a-to-z-of-pop-genres-2012|title=The A-Z of pop in 2012|last1=Considine|first1=Clare|date=June 29, 2012|work=The Guardian|access-date=June 19, 2017|last2=Gibsone|first2=Harriet|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|last3=Pattison|first3=Louis|last4=Richards|first4=Sam|last5=Rowe|first5=Sian|archive-date=January 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106173055/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jun/29/a-to-z-of-pop-genres-2012|url-status=live}}</ref> As well as, California's Deafheaven, who formed in 2010, having been described as screamo, in a style similar to that of Envy.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bayer |first1=Johan |title=Deafheaven: Sunbather |website=The A.V. Club |date=June 11, 2013 |url=https://www.avclub.com/deafheaven-sunbather-1798177040 |access-date=May 30, 2018 |archive-date=July 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714193458/https://music.avclub.com/deafheaven-sunbather-1798177040 |url-status=live }}</ref>
alt=Ostraca|thumb|Screamo band Ostraca performing live in 2015 In August 2018, ''Noisey'' writer Dan Ozzi declared that it was the "Summer of Screamo" in a month-long series documenting screamo acts pushing the genre forward following the decline in popularity of the wave, as well as the reunions of seminal bands such as Pg. 99, Majority Rule, City of Caterpillar,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/majority-rule-playing-reunion-tour-dates-with-pg-99-and-city-of-caterpillar/|title=Majority Rule playing reunion tour dates with pg.99 and City of Caterpillar|work=BrooklynVegan|access-date=August 26, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=April 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401083745/http://www.brooklynvegan.com/majority-rule-playing-reunion-tour-dates-with-pg-99-and-city-of-caterpillar/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Jeromes Dream.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-spirit-of-screamo-is-alive-and-well/|title=The Spirit of Screamo Is Alive and Well|date=August 1, 2018|work=Noisey|access-date=August 26, 2018|language=en-us|archive-date=August 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826214631/https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/ne5dm7/the-spirit-of-screamo-is-alive-and-well|url-status=live}}</ref> Groups highlighted in this coverage, including Respire,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/respire-bound-premiere-interview-toronto-post-rock/|title=Respire's "Bound" Is the Emotional Post-Rock and Screamo Epic We Deserve|date=April 16, 2018|work=Noisey|access-date=August 26, 2018|language=en-ca|archive-date=August 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827005257/https://noisey.vice.com/en_ca/article/qvxnn5/respire-bound-premiere-interview-toronto-post-rock|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cory |first=Ian |date=April 24, 2018 |title=Ten Albums Which Fueled Respire's "Dénouement" |url=https://www.invisibleoranges.com/respire-influences/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426105423/http://www.invisibleoranges.com/respire-influences/ |archive-date=April 26, 2018 |access-date=February 7, 2023 |website=Invisible Oranges |language=en}}</ref> Ostraca,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1974740/stereogums-80-favorite-songs-of-2017/franchises/2017-in-review/|title=Stereogum's 80 Favorite Songs Of 2017|date=December 11, 2017|work=Stereogum|access-date=August 26, 2018|archive-date=August 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815052829/https://www.stereogum.com/1974740/stereogums-80-favorite-songs-of-2017/franchises/2017-in-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> Portrayal of Guilt,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/6-new-songs-you-need-hear-week-72018|title=6 New Songs You Need to Hear This Week: 7/20/18|date=July 20, 2018|work=Revolver|access-date=August 26, 2018|language=en|archive-date=August 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826220241/https://www.revolvermag.com/music/6-new-songs-you-need-hear-week-72018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://clrvynt.com/portrayal-of-guilt-stream/|title=Portrayal of Guilt Resuscitate Screamo's Dangerous Potential|website=CLRVYNT|date=May 2, 2017|language=en|access-date=August 26, 2018|archive-date=August 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825041531/http://clrvynt.com/portrayal-of-guilt-stream/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/portrayal-of-guilt-chamber-of-misery-part-i-five-inch-ep/|title=Hear a Dark, Brooding Song from Portrayal of Guilt's Five-Inch Picture Disc|date=July 18, 2018|work=Noisey|access-date=August 26, 2018|language=en-au|archive-date=August 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827005246/https://noisey.vice.com/en_au/article/ywkd8x/portrayal-of-guilt-chamber-of-misery-part-i-five-inch-ep|url-status=live}}</ref> Soul Glo,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://maximumrocknroll.com/issue/mrr-423/|title=MRR #423 • August 2018 {{!}} MAXIMUM ROCKNROLL|work=MAXIMUM ROCKNROLL|access-date=August 26, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=July 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709083113/http://maximumrocknroll.com/issue/mrr-423/|url-status=live}}</ref> I Hate Sex,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://newnoisemagazine.com/stream-hate-sex-weird-dream-conscious/|title=Song Premiere: I Hate Sex - 'Weird Dream, Conscious Stream'|date=March 30, 2017|website=New Noise Magazine|access-date=August 26, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=April 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410081528/https://newnoisemagazine.com/stream-hate-sex-weird-dream-conscious/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Infant Island,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2008298/infant-island-album-stream/music/album-stream/|title=Stream Infant Island's Thrilling Self-Titled Debut Album|date=August 1, 2018|work=Stereogum|access-date=August 26, 2018|archive-date=August 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826214515/https://www.stereogum.com/2008298/infant-island-album-stream/music/album-stream/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/infant-island-self-titled-album-stream/|title=Infant Island Carries the Torch for Virginia's Proud Screamo Legacy|date=July 27, 2018|work=Noisey|access-date=August 26, 2018|language=en-us|archive-date=August 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826214703/https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/a3q7j5/infant-island-self-titled-album-stream|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://uproxx.com/music/best-new-rock-albums-this-week-august-3/|title=The Best New Rock Albums That Dropped This Week|date=August 3, 2018|work=UPROXX|access-date=August 26, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=March 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327115141/https://uproxx.com/music/best-new-rock-albums-this-week-august-3/|url-status=live}}</ref> had generally received positive press from large publications, but were not as widely successful as their predecessors. ''Noisey'' also documented that, despite its loss of mainstream popularity and continued hold in North American scenes, particularly Richmond, Virginia,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/virginia-is-for-screamo-lovers-summer-of-screamo/|title=Virginia Is for Screamo Lovers|date=August 8, 2018|work=Noisey|access-date=August 26, 2018|language=en-us|archive-date=August 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826214522/https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/kzypvy/virginia-is-for-screamo-lovers-summer-of-screamo|url-status=live}}</ref> screamo had become a more international movement; notably spreading to Japan, France, and Sweden with groups including Heaven in Her Arms, Birds in Row and Suis La Lune, respectively.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/screamo-is-taking-over-the-world-summer-of-screamo/|title=Screamo Is Taking Over the World|date=August 15, 2018|work=Noisey|access-date=August 26, 2018|language=en-us|archive-date=August 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826214608/https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/pawwgz/screamo-is-taking-over-the-world-summer-of-screamo|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in 2018, Vein released their debut album ''Errorzone'' to critical acclaim and commercial success, bringing together elements of screamo, hardcore, and nu metal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/how-vein-are-advancing-hardcore-eccentric-genre-busting-style|title=How Vein Are Advancing Hardcore With Eccentric, Genre-Busting Style|date=October 17, 2017|work=Revolver|access-date=August 26, 2018|language=en|archive-date=August 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826214646/https://www.revolvermag.com/music/how-vein-are-advancing-hardcore-eccentric-genre-busting-style|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2018/06/26/interview-vein-frontman-on-new-album-errorzone/|title=Interview: Vein Frontman on New Album "Errorzone" {{!}} Decibel Magazine|date=June 26, 2018|work=Decibel Magazine|access-date=August 26, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=September 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923012300/https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2018/06/26/interview-vein-frontman-on-new-album-errorzone/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/vein-errorzone/|title=Vein: Errorzone Album Review {{!}} Pitchfork|website=pitchfork.com|language=en|access-date=August 26, 2018|archive-date=July 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711025317/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/vein-errorzone/|url-status=live}}</ref> This underground cohort of acts was primarily released by independent labels like Middle-Man Records<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.heavyblogisheavy.com/2016/04/07/whats-in-a-label-middle-man-records/|title=What's In A Label? Middle-Man Records - Heavy Blog Is Heavy|website=www.heavyblogisheavy.com|date=April 7, 2016 |language=en-US|access-date=September 26, 2018}}</ref> in the United States, Zegema Beach Records<ref>{{Cite web |last=Norman |first=Dave |date=May 25, 2018 |title=Understanding Screamo: A Dissection |url=https://www.invisibleoranges.com/understanding-screamo-a-dissection/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528021405/http://www.invisibleoranges.com/understanding-screamo-a-dissection/ |archive-date=May 28, 2018 |access-date=February 7, 2023 |website=Invisible Oranges |language=en}}</ref> in Canada, and Miss The Stars Records in Berlin.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/screamo-is-taking-over-the-world-summer-of-screamo/|title=Screamo Is Taking Over the World|date=August 15, 2018|work=Noisey|access-date=September 26, 2018|language=en-us|archive-date=August 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826214608/https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/pawwgz/screamo-is-taking-over-the-world-summer-of-screamo|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Subgenres and fusion genres== ===Emoviolence=== [[File:Circle Takes the Square Leipzig 2012 2.jpg|thumb|Circle Takes the Square, whose style borders on grindcore and post-rock, gained considerable acclaim with the 2004 album ''As the Roots Undo''.]] Some screamo bands borrow the extreme dissonance, speed, and chaos of powerviolence. As a result, the term '''emoviolence''' was half-jokingly coined by the band In/Humanity to describe the fusion of the two styles which applied to themselves, as well as other bands including Pg. 99,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Tiernan (July 15, 2015)|first1=Jack|title=Starter Kit: Screamo/Emoviolence|url=http://www.heavyblogisheavy.com/2015/07/15/starter-kit-screamoemoviolence/|website=heavyblogisheavy.com|date=July 15, 2015|publisher=Heavy Blog Is Heavy|access-date=May 7, 2017|archive-date=August 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822185808/http://www.heavyblogisheavy.com/2015/07/15/starter-kit-screamoemoviolence/|url-status=live}}</ref> Orchid,<ref name="Greg-2010" /> Reversal of Man,<ref name="Greg-2010" /> Usurp Synapse,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Morris|first1=Kurt|title=Usurp Synapse - Disinformation Fix|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/disinformation-fix-mw0000773682|website=allmusic.com|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=May 7, 2017|archive-date=September 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930132012/http://www.allmusic.com/album/disinformation-fix-mw0000773682|url-status=live}}</ref> and RentAmerica.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/i/inhumanity-violent.shtml|title=CIRCLE TAKES THE SQUARE is in the studio|author=Jason Thompson|date=June 15, 2008|publisher=PopMatters|access-date=May 18, 2011|archive-date=June 13, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090613053730/http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/i/inhumanity-violent.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collective-zine.co.uk/reviews/?id=3952|title=La Quiete - the Apoplexy Twist Orchestra split (Heroine Records)|author=Andy Malcolm|publisher=Collective Zine|access-date=August 18, 2011|archive-date=September 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928030857/http://www.collective-zine.co.uk/reviews/?id=3952|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, bands such as Orchid, Reversal of Man, and Circle Takes the Square tend to be much closer in style to grindcore than their forebears.<ref name="Greg-2010">{{cite journal |date=September 22, 2010 |last= Greg|first= Pratt|title= Altered States, Grindcore Special part 2|journal=Terrorizer |issue=181 |page= 43|publisher=Miranda Yardley |location=United Kingdom |quote= Another interesting sub-subgenre was this strange crossover of first-generation emo and grind. Bands like Reversal of Man or Orchid may not have stood the test of time, but it was a pretty cool sound at the time and one that was pretty uniquely American}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/latest-news/circle-takes-the-square-is-in-the-studio|title=CIRCLE TAKES THE SQUARE is in the studio|date=June 15, 2008|website=Metal Injection|access-date=July 18, 2011|quote=...CIRCLE TAKES THE SQUARE have retained their integrity and stayed true to the grind influenced experimental, progressive hardcore soundscapes that defined the screamo albums of the early part of the millennium.}}</ref> In contemporary times, the genre is no longer as prevalent or widespread as it had been in the past, yet it still remains as a notable and prevalent force in underground screamo. A revival of the genre has occurred internationally with regional scenes in Southeast Asia<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 7, 2017|title=The Passionate, Powerful Sounds of Southeast Asian Screamo|url=https://daily.bandcamp.com/scene-report/southeast-asian-screamo-list|access-date=March 29, 2021|website=Bandcamp Daily}}</ref> and South America<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 14, 2019|title=Ten Latinx Bands Riding Screamo's New Wave|url=https://daily.bandcamp.com/lists/latinx-screamo-list|access-date=March 29, 2021|website=Bandcamp Daily|archive-date=March 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321165037/https://daily.bandcamp.com/lists/latinx-screamo-list|url-status=live}}</ref> taking prominence.
===Post-screamo=== Bands including City of Caterpillar, Circle Takes the Square, Envy, Funeral Diner, Pianos Become the Teeth,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rocksound.tv/reviews/article/pianos-become-the-teeth-old-pride|title=Pianos Become The Teeth - Old Pride Reviews Rock blood on the dance floor is an example of screamo sound|author=Andrew Kelham|publisher=Rock Sound|date=January 21, 2010|access-date=September 1, 2011|archive-date=October 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022161148/http://www.rocksound.tv/reviews/article/pianos-become-the-teeth-old-pride|url-status=dead}}</ref> Respire,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/respire-bound-premiere-interview-toronto-post-rock/|title=Respire's "Bound" Is the Emotional Post-Rock and Screamo Epic We Deserve|last1=Wilson|first1=Daniel G.|website=Vice Media|date=April 16, 2018 |access-date=September 23, 2018}}</ref> and Le Pré Où Je Suis Mort<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alterthepress.com/2010/07/live-review-la-dispute-le-pre-ou-je.html|title=Live Review: La Dispute, Le Pre Ou Je Suis Mort, Maths and History, The Chantry, Canterbury - 22/06/10|publisher=Alter The Press!|date=June 22, 2010|access-date=August 8, 2011|archive-date=August 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110821091014/http://www.alterthepress.com/2010/07/live-review-la-dispute-le-pre-ou-je.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="interpunk 1">{{cite news|url=http://www.interpunk.com/item.cfm?Item=155110&|title=Interpunk.com - The Ultimate Punk Music Store! Le Pre Ou Je Suis Mort|publisher=Interpunk|date= January 15, 2008|access-date=August 24, 2011}}</ref> have incorporated post-rock elements into their music. This fusion is characterized by abrupt changes in pace, atmospheric and harmonic instrumentation, and distorted vocals.<ref name="interpunk 1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pinnaclemagazine.tv/?p=155|title=Single State of Man – s/t LP|author=Benjamin|publisher=Pinnacle Magazine|access-date=September 1, 2011|date=January 10, 2009}}</ref>
===Sass=== {{main|Sass (music)}} '''Sass''' ({{IPAc-en|s|æ|s}}) is a broadly-defined genre derived from the early San Diego screamo scene,<ref name="You Don't Need Maps, 2021" /> characterized by overtly flamboyant mannerisms, homoerotic lyrical content, synthesizers, dance beats and a lisping vocal style.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last1=ROA |first1=RAY |title=WTF is sasscore, and why is SeeYouSpaceCowboy bringing it to St. Petersburg's Lucky You Tattoo? |url=https://www.cltampa.com/music/show-previews/article/21012214/wtf-is-sasscore-and-why-is-seeyouspacecowboy-bringing-it-to-st-petersburgs-lucky-you-tattoo |website=Creative Loafing |access-date=February 9, 2019 |archive-date=February 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209180515/https://www.cltampa.com/music/show-previews/article/21012214/wtf-is-sasscore-and-why-is-seeyouspacecowboy-bringing-it-to-st-petersburgs-lucky-you-tattoo |url-status=live }}</ref> The genre originated as reaction against the hypermasculinity of tough guy hardcore,<ref name="You Don't Need Maps, 2021">{{cite web |title=THE DEFINITIVE WORD ON SASS [patreon preview] |url=https://youdontneedmaps.substack.com/p/the-definitive-word-on-sass-patreon |website=You Don't Need Maps |access-date=3 February 2026 |date=26 April 2021}}</ref> and according to a 2014 ''Stuff You Will Hate'' article, was less of a unified sound, and more of a performance and esthetic style that incorporated certain musical elements to support its live performances.<ref name="You Don't Need Maps, 2021" /> Sass solidified itself as a genre around 1998, as music began to be released by pioneers the Blood Brothers, who influenced the Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower and These Arms Are Snakes to continue the sound. The centre of the scene was the record label Sound Virus. It began to decline in popularity around 2003, and had disappeared entirely by 2005.<ref name="Pete, 2014">{{cite web |title=What was it like to be a cool person in hardcore 10-15 years ago? – The Historiography of Sass |url=http://www.stuffyouwillhate.com/2014/04/what-was-it-like-to-be-a-cool-person-in-hardcore-10-15-years-ago-the-historiography-of-sass/ |website=Stuff You Will Hate |access-date=3 February 2026 |archive-url=https://tykoblog.wordpress.com/2017/01/18/what-was-it-like-to-be-a-cool-person-in-hardcore-10-15-years-ago-the-historiography-of-sass/ |archive-date=2018-01-18}}</ref> During the early 2010s, there was a revived interest in sass amongst fans active on the screamo message board Cross My Heart With a Knife (CMHAWK).<ref name="You Don't Need Maps, 2021" /> Around 2020, a sass revival had formed, featuring Circuit Circuit and SeeYouSpaceCowboy.<ref name="Khorey, 2025">{{cite web |last1=Khorey |first1=Peyton |title=Sasscore & The Emergence Of Counter Counterculture: Description, History, And Recommendations - Main {{!}} KZSC Santa Cruz |url=https://kzsc.org/blog/2025/03/17/sasscore-the-emergence-of-counter-counterculture-description-history-and-recommendations/ |website=kzsc.org |access-date=3 February 2026 |date=17 March 2025}}</ref>
===Pop screamo=== {{main|Pop screamo}}
'''Pop screamo''' is a genre derived from screamo that incorporates melodic, sung choruses and metal influenced riffs.<ref name="Altpress-2015"/> It additionally embraces elements of emo pop,<ref name="Wyatt, 2021" /> and the dissonant metalcore style of Deadguy, Botch, Converge and Coalesce.<ref name="MetalSucks-2010"/> Notable bands included Poison the Well, Thursday, Alexisonfire, the Used, Funeral for a Friend, Silverstein, He Is Legend, Saosin, Underoath and Hawthorne Heights.<ref name="Martins, 2024" />
===Kittencore=== '''Kittencore''' is a style of screamo and emoviolence that emphasizes high-pitched screams, commonly performed by unexperienced teenagers.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Conspiracy |first=D. I. Y. |date=2021-05-28 |title=What is Kittencore? {{!}} DIY Conspiracy |url=https://diyconspiracy.net/terms/kittencore/ |access-date=2026-02-23 |language=en-US}}</ref> The term was coined up in screamo online forums during the early 2000s, getting its name from its characteristic vocals that resembled meows of a young kitten, and gained widespread recognition after hardcore music blog You Don't Need Maps published an article on the genre.<ref name=":1" /> Portraits of Past's 1993 Demo as well as their split EP with Pennsylvania band Bleed were two important releases that laid the foundations for kittencore, but it was during the 2000s when the genre reached its peak. Notable bands include In Loving Memory, Spirit of Versailles, ...Of Death, Flowers Taped to Pens, Love Lost But Not Forgotten, Tears of Avarel and Nayru.<ref name=":1" />
===Bedroom skramz=== '''Bedroom skramz''' (or '''bedroom screamo''') is a style that merges screamo and bedroom pop. It was pioneered by Your Arms Are My Cocoon on their 2020 self-titled debut EP. The release was widely influential, particularly amongst uploads by artists on Bandcamp.<ref name="Galil, 2025">{{cite web |last1=Galil |first1=Leor |title=From bedroom studio to bonkers show |url=https://chicagoreader.com/music/music-feature/your-arms-cocoon-rabbit-odom-bedroom-skramz-screamo/ |website=Chicago Reader |access-date=25 March 2026 |date=20 February 2025}}</ref> ''Boolin Tunes'' called Your Arms Are My Cocoon "a cornerstone of [emo's] fifth wave".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Sophie |title=ALBUM REVIEW: Your Arms Are My Cocoon - death of a rabbit |url=https://boolintunes.com/reviews/album-review-your-arms-are-my-cocoon-death-of-a-rabbit/ |website=Boolin Tunes |access-date=26 March 2026 |date=13 August 2024}}</ref> The project also incorporated elements of chiptune.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Felice |first1=Selene San |title=Your Arms Are My Cocoon, which puts bedroom pop and screamo in a blender, plays Tampa on Tuesday |url=https://www.cltampa.com/music-2/your-arms-are-my-cocoon-which-puts-bedroom-pop-and-screamo-in-a-blender-plays-tampa-on-tuesday-19729728/ |website=Creative Loafing Tampa |access-date=26 March 2026 |date=27 March 2025}}</ref> Often times, subsequent bedroom skramz projects incorporated Midwest emo's riffing style and screamed vocals with major key synthesiser melodies and calm drum samples. By February 2022, the style had been adopted by Rookie Card, That Same Street, the Civil War In France, Calendar Year and Garden Angel. Amongst these articles, experimentation with other genres continued, with Garden Angel taking from Nintendocore, house music and country music and That Same Street making use of vocaloid vocals.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Noel |first1=Jude |title=The Softer Side of Skramz: Bedroom Pop and Screamo Collide |url=https://daily.bandcamp.com/lists/bedroom-screamo-list |website=Bandcamp Daily |access-date=26 March 2026 |date=18 February 2022}}</ref> On their 2025 album ''Apiary'', Gingerbee took bedroom skramz in a more progressive direction.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Galil |first1=Leor |title=Experimental skramz project Gingerbee say goodbye in Chicago with a 16-piece band |url=https://chicagoreader.com/music/concert-preview/gingerbee-thalia-hall/ |website=Chicago Reader |access-date=26 March 2026 |date=23 February 2026}}</ref>
==See also== * List of screamo bands * Post-hardcore * Risecore
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{wikiquote-inline}} {{hardcorepunk}} {{emo}}
Category:Screamo Category:Emo Category:Counterculture of the 1990s Category:1990s in music Category:Hardcore punk genres Category:Rock music genres Category:American styles of music Category:Youth culture in the United States