Best Screamo Bands

Today's music seems to have an infinite number of categories and sub-categories. So much has been created and so much more still waits to be displayed, that every band proves to be as unique as the next one. This is the basis of the birth of screamo.

What is Screamo Music?
There are a lot of different beliefs and considerations regarding screamo bands and the music type. Some believe that screamo is a music sub-genre of hardcore punk, whereas others consider it to be a variant of old emo music. However, a majority of musicians from the music scene believe that it relates to discordant instrumental riffs, extremely high-pitched vocals and screams. It started somewhere around the early 1990s in the USA and in certain regions of Europe. But screamo was pretty much cemented by the mid 90s by bands like Orchid, Saetia and Hot Cross.

Musical Characteristics of Screamo Music
When screamo was unveiled, it was meant to be a reprise of hardcore punk and emo music. It originally stuck to the main hard rock instruments (bass, drums and a dominant lead guitar). However, over time, this music underwent some changes and bands started to experiment with different sounds, keyboards and synthesizers soon took up a fixed spot. As the screamo sound kept changing, notable shifts in tempos and rhythms were also included. Today, after all the experimentation, what we call screamo is something that of a cross between emo and punk. The lyrics stay soft and emo, but the vocal style is more of an alternation between soft singing and heavy screaming. The primary instrument stays as the guitar, dropping heavy riffs that are stitched together by creative transitions. Screamo may not be as popular as hard rock or metal, but the fans stay loyal to it regardless. It still stays as a minor community. So for those who want to know the best of screamo, here's a list to get you started with.

11 Best Screamo Bands of all Time
Bear in mind the next eleven bands are categorized only in alphabetical order. You may choose to favor anyone among them as the best, but that only stays as a personal choice. Following are the eleven best screamo bands, by public choice.

Band Name	Best Album	Best Song	About the Band
Alesana	The Emptiness (2009)	Circle VII: Sins of the Lion	One of the best screamo bands out there, influenced mostly by rock bands like The Beatles and Sonic Force.
Alexisonfire	Crisis (2006)	This Could be Anywhere is the World	This Juno-nominated Canadian band defines screamo at its best. Nominated for a host of awards, won 'Favorite new Indie release' for Crisis. Check out their music videos, definitely worth a watch.
Attack attack!	Someday Came Suddenly (2008)	Stick Stickly	One of the more experimental screamo bands that use electronica to pump up their music.
Asking Alexandria	Reckless and Relentless (2011)	The Final Episode (Let's Change the Channel)	The best Brit Metal/screamo band out there, by a long shot.
Black Veil Brides	Set the World on Fire (2011)	The Legacy	Bringing the glam back in metal, the Black Veil Brides is an epic band that seems to be staying on top for a long time.
City of Caterpillar	City of Caterpillar (2002)	A Little Change could go a Long Ways	One of the older screamo bands, worth a check.
Escape the Fate	Dying is Your Latest Fashion (2006)	The Guillotine	IMO, it was a great band till Ronnie was still in it, not as great today.
Orchid	Chaos is Me (1999)	She has a Cold, Cold Heart	Another old screamo band, known for their brilliant execution and piano.
Portraits of Past	01010101 (1998)	Bang Yer Head	One of those bands that grew in popularity after they broke up
Saetia	A Retrospective (2001)	Woodwell	Very short-lived band, became famous after breaking up in 1999. Regarded as a definitive screamo band, they were mostly underground when they were together.
Thursday	Full Collapse (2001)	I am the Killer	Known for the vocals of Geoff Rickly, who has a rather unique singing and screaming voice.

More Famous Screamo Bands
Not that I'm taking anything away from any of these bands, I just believe that the above bands are more accepted as popular ones.

• A Skylit Drive
• A Static Lullaby
• As I Lay Dying
• Adorno
• Antioch Arrow
• Atreyu
• August Burns Red
• Avenged Sevenfold
• Beneath The Sky
• Bring Me The Horizon
• Bullet For My Valentine
• Chiodos
• Circle Takes the Square
• Dance Gavin Dance
• Enter Shikari
• Escape The Fate
• Heroin
• Hot Cross
• I am Ghost
• I Hate Myself
• I Would Set Myself on Fire for You
• My Chemical Romance
• Our Last Night
• Parkway Drive
• Pg. 99
• Poison the Well
• Scary Kids Scaring Kids
• Senses Fail
• Silverstein
• Sky Eats Airplane
• Suicide Silence
• The Devil Wears Prada
• The Fall of Troy
• Underoath
• We Came as Romans

This was a list of the best screamo bands. Note that some of the above-mentioned screamo bands are even associated with punk rock, alternative rock, and metalcore music. There are however, very few bands which are mainly dedicated to screamo. By reading this article, you must have understood quite a bit about screamo music and the bands that play it.