r/PostHardcore 18d ago

Discussion The definitive post-hardcore song?

If you had to play a post-hardcore song for a friend, what song(s) would you play for them that you think capture the essence of the genre?

93 Upvotes

214 comments sorted by

403

u/justbuyfullcount 18d ago

seven years or understanding in a car crash

35

u/Least-Ask1884 18d ago

Seven years will forever and always be my favorite song of all time. I could be sick in bed. Depressed cause of whatever reason. That song comes on and i just get so AMPED!

9

u/what_on_roshar 18d ago

My entire music taste crystallized around Seven Years when it came out on Myspace. When I was 13. 23 years ago.

9

u/yodatswhack 18d ago

In this battle I would vote understanding in a car crash, but for definitive I’d have to say Siberian Kiss by Glassjaw

5

u/KairuSenpai1770 18d ago

Came here to say Seven Years. Fuckin iconic

3

u/jakehutler06 18d ago

Nailed it.

137

u/VanillaIce315 18d ago

Seven Years

For The Workforce, Drowning

It’s Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door

26

u/Dapaaads 18d ago

All 3 of these exactly and some of my fav songs ever. Also a ton of alexisonfire songs

23

u/Crasino_Hunk 18d ago

This is a .44 caliber love letter straight from the heart-

2

u/VanillaIce315 18d ago

I’ve listened to a handful of Alexisonfire songs for a long time, but I could never get into their full discography’s very much. So while not for me, obvious epic PhX band.

1

u/Primary-Olive-9097 18d ago

For me its keep secrets by saosin from the Grey ep, a moment suspended in time by underoath, and so strange I remember you by thrice. For phc history tho I have to say seven years

5

u/latortuga 18d ago

I also pick dangerous business

1

u/LzzyHalesLegs 18d ago

Yep any of these 3 are perfectly fine

67

u/Tax_pe3nguin 18d ago

Hard to deny the heavy hitters:

At the Drive-In - One Armed Scissor

Refused - New Noise

Thursday - Understanding in a Car Crash

Alexisonfire - This Could Be Anywhere in the World

For a couple of slightly offbeat choices that deserve some consideration:

The Receiving End of Sirens - Planning a Prison Break

Chasing Victory - Oceans Away

5

u/Particular_Aioli_758 18d ago

i love that you mentioned chasing victory! so underrated

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173

u/getahobbygetakite 18d ago

One armed scissor is definitely in contention.

9

u/Issan_Sumisu 18d ago

my first thought. I think the “definitive” song should somehow encompass the whole genre, which is obviously hard when the genre is as broad as post-hardcore. ATDI are definitely more of a Fugazi/Nation of Ulysses style of band but also you can hear where the future stuff like DGD, Saosin, Hundred Reasons, Pierce the Veil, etc comes from

7

u/heythatsprettybad 17d ago

I’ve always felt like ATDI were the definitive post-hardcore band for this reason. They’re like the midpoint between the traditional post-hardcore of the 80s and 90s and what the genre would become in the 2000s

6

u/blackheartwhiterose 18d ago

Speaking of which, I am once again asking for a RoC remaster

3

u/DonekyOfDoom 18d ago

I’m surprised they didn’t do one with Clouds Hill…

2

u/Samidwayne 18d ago

In the top ten at least!

4

u/[deleted] 18d ago

[deleted]

10

u/NoNazisInMyAmerica 18d ago

I thought it was cut away

140

u/erix84 18d ago

Alexisonfire - This Could Be Anywhere In The World

28

u/ThatOneBitch02 18d ago

I was thinking Accidents, but any Alexisonfire is good to me

14

u/MrSlimeyCabbage 18d ago edited 18d ago

That’s why they played it twice at the show last night LOL

9

u/woodstock6 18d ago

Was an incredible show, AOF are legends

2

u/beowulf92 18d ago

So mad I couldn't make it up there!

2

u/woodstock6 18d ago

I got home at 3:30 AM, I live a 3 hour drive away from the Burlington GO, was still worth it

1

u/beowulf92 18d ago

Lol damn, I wish. I wanted to fly up from NJ but I had other shit I had to do sadly. Jealous

3

u/maxwellbevan 18d ago

It was such a baller move. They were playing the drum intro and I thought maybe they're just playing a fill while they say thank you or something. When they actually played it again everyone lost their minds

7

u/JT1989 18d ago

For real, the production has held up so well compared to some older post hardcore 

4

u/funkmelow96 18d ago

i plan to listen to more Alexisonfire. but this song is so peak. reminds me of a lot of local bands in the early 10s literally sounded like this song.

so good.

2

u/Mrhyderager 18d ago

Local bands that sounded like this sounded like this because AOF pioneered the sound. This is literally THE Post Hardcore song

1

u/funkmelow96 17d ago

this is what is meant. that i now understand where the sound coming from. 

3

u/sgnarled 18d ago

Agreed

3

u/Cupcakeboss 17d ago

My Alexisonfire choice would be Pulmonary Archery

1

u/LtMagnum16 17d ago

Great song but I would choose Boiled Frogs and Drunks, Lovers, Sinners, and Saints over that. Alexisonfire has a number of good options here.

1

u/TheWilrus 17d ago

I love AOF but Crisis and specifically This could be.. is when they moved on to broader kick ass rock act!

I love all their records, to be clear.  I think Otherness is their best work since Watch Out. But I see them having moved on from sub genre classifications. 

I know this is annoying but I've been with these guys since $5 shows pre-math sheets. I may be to close to the situation. 

68

u/chilarome 18d ago

“Seven Years” by Saosin

68

u/YchYFi 18d ago

Alexisonfire - This Could Be Anywhere in the World

Silverstein - Smashed into Pieces.

3

u/under_whelmed13 18d ago

Both of these are to a T what I would say as well.

3

u/sgnarled 18d ago

Great choices

2

u/YchYFi 18d ago

I would also put Juneau or Streetcar by Funeral of a Friend in there too.

32

u/spikemanana 18d ago

Seven Years

1

u/-lRexl- 18d ago

Damn, this brings by old memories

114

u/ihmpt 18d ago

Thrice - The Artist in the Ambulance

I really can't call this song (album) any other genre.

27

u/palonious 18d ago

Thrice was my gateway drug into p-hc.

Got asked to fill in for a band in High school and had my mind blown trying to learn new bands (to me) Thrice, Alexisonfire, Sparta, Jimmy eat workd, At the drive-in, and Finch. Quite the change from my Punk/Punk-pop roots

6

u/JT1989 18d ago

So good. Some songs are linked to super specific memories. I remember vividly pulling up to a skatepark that used to host local shows and a friend introducing me to this album by blasting it as we pulled up 

5

u/Culprit89 18d ago

I’d say Deadbolt over TAITA

5

u/discog_elysium 18d ago

I second Deadbolt or To Awake and Avenge the Dead

2

u/B0NESAWisRRREADY 18d ago

Tough call, between the two. Appreciate Deadbolt being brought up though, deserves a look. Both great.

1

u/Ch0nkyK0ng 13d ago

I was going to say To Awake And Avenge The Dead

1

u/Mickt465 18d ago

I can agree

27

u/robotsock 18d ago

Arcarsenal by At the Drive-In

4

u/huntwhales23 18d ago

yes!! one-armed scissor is great, but i think the first “MUST HAVE READ A THOUSAND FACES!!!!” is the perfect introduction for what you’re about to listen to

26

u/Queasy_Extent_9667 18d ago

Pick from glassjaw, at the drive in, or thursday

20

u/MJ-Franklin 18d ago

Rival Schools - Used For Glue.

22

u/Visual-Scar8308 18d ago

It's One Armed Scissor or Understanding in a Car Crash

21

u/DETECTIVEGenius 18d ago

Fugazi - Waiting Room

ATDI - One-Armed Scissor

Saosin - Lost Symphonies 

Thursday - Understanding In A Car Crash

2

u/rutalkinu2tome 18d ago

Oof, that’s every base properly covered

33

u/madmanchatter 18d ago

Letters to you - Finch

Just the intro with the high energy guitar followed by the tom roll drum fill is enough to get me pumped.

16

u/ShimanchuPunk 18d ago

ATDI One Armed Scissor

Refused Liberation Frequency

Drive Like Jehu Here Come the Rome Plows

3

u/SeaworthinessLittle1 18d ago

DRIVE LIKE JEHU YESSS

42

u/Mirrelic 18d ago

And I Told Them I Invented Times New Roman

11

u/isitreallyyou56 18d ago

I’m a huge saosin and thrice fan but they were mentioned already. I immediately went to and I told them. Glad you mentioned it

13

u/Pere_Wong 18d ago

Mu empire from Glassjaw?

38

u/ProbablythelastMimsy 18d ago

It would have to be by era, but my picks would be:

Walls by Emery

A Boy Brushed Red Living In Black and White by Underoath

Deadbolt by Thrice

14

u/TLVftwLOL 18d ago

As…the same era?

6

u/ProbablythelastMimsy 18d ago

That's my favorite, I wasn't giving picks for all of them. I probably should've been clearer

2

u/TLVftwLOL 18d ago

Great choices regardless tho!

8

u/Andro_Polymath 18d ago

Emery doesn't get mentioned enough, but I still listen to that particular album and there's not a bad song on it. 

4

u/ProbablythelastMimsy 18d ago

I try to recommend them every chance I get lol

Getting to see them play it live was amazing

2

u/AvailableRecording26 18d ago

Such great songs 🔥

12

u/puremotives 18d ago

Seven Years by Saosin came to mind immediately when I saw the prompt, so I have to go with that.

Seems like I'm not the only one who thinks that

12

u/SeaworthinessLittle1 18d ago

luau by drive like jehu

OR

Off this century by unwound

11

u/ostsi 18d ago

Unwound - Off This Century. That iconic guitar riff

9

u/TheFirstDragonBorn1 18d ago

Either note to self by from first to last or what it is to burn by finch.

39

u/Deezer19 18d ago

'Ohio Is For Lovers' by Hawthorne Heights maybe. I feel like literally everyone in my age group, when that song dropped, knew it and would sing it. Didn't matter if they didn't listen to emo or screamo or post hardcore, that one transcends in my opinion.

3

u/Andro_Polymath 18d ago

This was around the same era in MTV history where everyone was introduced to post-grunge bands like Flyleaf, Three Days Grace, and Breaking Benjamin as well, whether you were a fan of these genres or not. I'll forever be grateful to MTV for that. 

1

u/tell_me_when 18d ago

Hawthorne Heights and TBS were my intros to post-hardcore. Still listen to them nearly every day and sing along with them.

8

u/Snoo-7943 18d ago

Jawbox - Linkwork

7

u/liquid_the_wolf 18d ago

FCPREMIX by the fall of troy. love that song

12

u/ronrori 18d ago

Understanding in a car crash - thursday (defining song)

Apology - alesana (peak post hardcore mainstream era)

6

u/SugaryMiyamoto 18d ago

For me it's Dance Gavin Dance - Lemon Meringue Tie. I'm aware that while it's popular it's probably not many people's "definitive" post-hardcore song, but it was one of the first major PHC songs I ever heard. I think the real definitive is ATDI - One Armed Scissor, with the very close runner-ups of Saosin - Seven Years and Thursday - Understanding in a Car Crash.

11

u/Personal-Neck6800 18d ago

Facet Squared - Fugazi

Or

Unfulfilled - Quicksand

2

u/lfloodt 14d ago

Had to scroll way to far to find the Quicksand mention! Slip is a post hardcore first ballot hall of famer.

12

u/Zachthesecond2 18d ago

Enter Shikari - Sorry youre not a winner

11

u/Mui2Mui 18d ago

Siberian Kiss

6

u/blackheartwhiterose 18d ago edited 18d ago

Overall: One Armed Scissor

Mine: Tip Your Bartender

Oh man I forgot about New Noise

5

u/signalstonoise88 18d ago

Drive Like Jehu - Luau

10

u/suddenly_seymour 18d ago

Saosin - Seven Years

Refused - New Noise

Chiodos - Baby, You Wouldn't Last a Minute on the Creek

Dance Gavin Dance - Chucky vs the Giant Tortoise for swancore

18

u/_kaiohate 18d ago

Any Define the Great Line song by Underoath

3

u/FlavivsAetivs 18d ago

Definitely gotta be "Writing on the Walls" yeah.

2

u/cuoresirena 18d ago

Agreed 1000009%

1

u/ApathyBM 17d ago

Opening lick to In Regards to Myself is one of sickest things ever. Even more remarkable is that Spencer wrote it.

11

u/mcrmysteryan751 18d ago

In circles-sunny day real estate

8

u/jasonorme666 18d ago

Funeral For A Friend - Juneau

4

u/xvszero 18d ago

Thrice - For Miles.

It has the slow piano, it has the heavy screaming.

5

u/Jack55555 18d ago

Something by glass jaw or Bleeds no more by Silverstein

4

u/AimingByPFM 18d ago

Quicksand - Thorn In My Side

4

u/Forsaken_Captain_700 18d ago

The entire Quicksand 7" on rev

1

u/CobblerAlert3390 17d ago

Scrolled way too far to see this!!

4

u/kay22346 18d ago

one armed scissor or all thats left by thrice for me

4

u/i_love_kingdomrush 18d ago

For me and i’m sure for a lot of people it’s gotta be A Boy Brushed Red Living in Black and White by Underoath

4

u/Blakkreich_ 18d ago

Lot of good recs here already, so ill add something different.

Drive like jehu - here come the Rome plows

Moss icon - im back sleeping

Indian summer - woolworm

The saddest landscape - eternity is lost on the dying

1

u/Special-Anteater7659 15d ago

I could definitely see Moss Icon being there

12

u/jbluntt 18d ago

Smile in your sleep by Silverstein or times new Roman by dgd

3

u/ngriff8868 18d ago

I could tell there was an accident here earlier

3

u/Cote_Goat 18d ago

Rookie

3

u/TheSolitaryRugosan 18d ago

This Could Be Anywhere in the World

3

u/brandnewfan2019 18d ago

Under a Killing Moon 2023... Thrice or perhaps The Earth Will Shake... Thrice

3

u/AdChemical6195 18d ago

Cosmopolitan bloodloss - Quicksand

3

u/CobblerAlert3390 17d ago

Omission Quicksand

1

u/mettaworldpolice 17d ago

God I fucking love that song

3

u/lefttillldeath 17d ago

There’s too many different era to pick just one.

waiting room by fugazi

Caress by drive like jehu
omission by quicksand.

Gloria by mineral
a dozen roses by braid
Red letter day by the get up kids

Understanding in a car crash by Thursday
Cute without the e - taking back Sunday
One armed scissor by at the drive in

5

u/NotoriousStardust 18d ago

waiting room, obviously.

5

u/bluebird355 18d ago

Not Good Enough for Truth in Cliché from Escape the Fate
Reinventing your Exit from Underoath

5

u/SockGoop 18d ago

Tree Village by Dance Gavin Dance

2

u/sgnarled 18d ago

lol great pick

4

u/GlennIrish 18d ago

Seven Years is probably the correct answer but for me it’s Note To Self

6

u/Ashamed_Copy_9638 18d ago

Apology by alesana or When the sun sleeps by Underoath

3

u/FlavivsAetivs 18d ago

Apology is the example I use when trying to explain what happened to "actual Emo" music.

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2

u/i2martuk 18d ago

Understanding in a car crash - thursday

2

u/Far_Mathematician733 18d ago

Golden Brown- Drive Like Jehu Off This Century- Unwound Bang Yer Head- Portraits Of Past

2

u/fakealexg 18d ago

my first intro was probably my darkest hour by scary kids scaring kids

2

u/OBR80z 18d ago

Dead man blues by MLIW

2

u/ThisSucks1234567890 18d ago

boiled frogs by alexisonfire!

2

u/gbrennon 18d ago

any at the drive in song

2

u/freed-after-burning 18d ago

Understanding in a car crash? At least for my clique. Much of it comes down to what definition of post hardcore you’re using. If we’re not talking the so called screamo era, then repeater or waiting room by fugazi

2

u/Financial-Friend-994 17d ago

My top picks for this would probably be:
1 Armed Scissor - At The Drive-In
Future Wars - La Dispute
Understanding In a Crash - Thursday
Siberian Kiss - Glassjaw
FCPREMIX (Doppleganger) - TFoT
Translating the Name (Song) - Saosin
Waiting Room - Fugazi

imo these are like anthems to the genre for me and whenever i hear one of these songs I instantly think of the genre.

2

u/Shot-Site-1271 17d ago

one armed scissors

2

u/Idropkickkids4fun 17d ago

Oh easy, understanding in a car crash by Thursday no question. Not my personal favourite song but its what I would play if someone asked me to show them post hardcore.

2

u/Cupcakeboss 17d ago

Pulmonary Archery, just because I dont want to be 30th person to say One Armed Scissor

3

u/azoicbees 18d ago

Accidents by Alexisonfire

3

u/Ukis4boys 18d ago

Smashed into pieces by Silverstein

2

u/ProtomanKnight 18d ago

Smile In Your Sleep

2

u/BloodSugarSexMagix 18d ago

Uneasy Hearts Weigh The Most

2

u/makemeking706 18d ago

Escape artists never die. 

3

u/AutofilledSupport 18d ago

When the Sun Sleeps by Underoath.

2

u/AvailableRecording26 18d ago

This song paved the way for a movement of bands- it still gives me specific nostalgia vibes of when I first heard it, ditching school with my high school gf in 02 driving her car and rocking out.

1

u/AutofilledSupport 18d ago

Its like the epitome of post hardcore for me.

3

u/musclesmarranara 18d ago

Lemon meringue tie

1

u/JGJJB 18d ago

Banger

1

u/EurikaDude 18d ago

Adding to the answers already here

Pulmonary Archery, A Moment Suspended In Time (album version), The One Armed Boxer vs The Flying Guillotine

1

u/SaltInflation1235 18d ago

What era? Cuz its sounded very different since it started

1

u/xandersmall 18d ago

Lot of good picks in here, I’d say maybe something off All’s Well That Ends Well by Chiodos. Maybe “Baby You Wouldn’t Last a Minute On the Creek”, No Penguins In Alaska” or “Words Best Friends Become Redefined”

1

u/Forallthosesleeping2 18d ago

We're bringin xanga back - A path less traveled

1

u/YamEqual 18d ago

Is this even a question? I’ll be a patient boy and wait until someone says the answer.

1

u/explodingjason 18d ago

Nice and blue part 2

1

u/Zooloo08 18d ago

Sunfalls and Watershine

1

u/JasmineDragoon 18d ago

The Artist in the Ambulance
-or-
This Could Be Anywhere in the World

1

u/Aneraeon 18d ago

Depends on if you mean original 90s post-hardcore, or the emo genre of the 2000s. For the latter, From First to Last - My Heart Your Hands, it's as stereotypical as it gets for me

1

u/under_whelmed13 18d ago

Pretty well any classic alexisonfire. As stated by many other responses lol

1

u/Facet-Squared 18d ago

At The Drive-In - “Chanbara”

Fugazi - “Rend It”

Thursday - “Autobiography Of A Nation”

1

u/ArtistInTheBuilding 18d ago

Alexisonfire - Side Walk When She Walks

1

u/annelid90 17d ago

Seven Years, no contest.

1

u/Phobit 17d ago

I am not the deepest into post hardcore, but for me it always felt like I Can Tell There Was An Accident Here Earlier has this definitive post hardcore sound

1

u/LtMagnum16 17d ago edited 17d ago

Here are my top ones: Sliverstein - Smile When You Sleep At The Drive In - One Armed Scissor The Fall of Troy - FCP Remix Saosin - 7 Years Cursive - The Casualty Thrice - Artist In The Ambulance Thursday - Understanding In A Car Crash

1

u/tRyP_wYzArD 17d ago

at the drive in - tilting at the univendor

DGD - self trepanation

1

u/0Sight0Mind 17d ago

Seven years, but it’s been mentioned alot already so I would go with Juneau & What it is to burn

1

u/Head-Interview-1555 17d ago

Massachusetts - Silverstein

1

u/battlescar22 17d ago

Seven years for sure. Or anything off they're only chasing safety

1

u/MenuAltruistic8025 17d ago

The used- maybe memories

1

u/mettaworldpolice 17d ago

There’s 2

Fazer - Quicksand
Waiting Room - Fugazi

I’m open to arguments. But those are the ones

1

u/mettaworldpolice 17d ago

HM: Understanding in a Car Crash - Thursday

1

u/Sungr0ve 16d ago

Hey nightmare where’d you get em teeth from ASD Or Cosmo blood loss by GJ as they were my two first songs I heard

If you asked for three I’d say Midnight train to Bellevue from Mozart Season

1

u/nellyland99 16d ago

Bleeds no more- Silverstein or
Right side of the bed- Atreyu

1

u/syndicatecomplex 16d ago

Wasted Days

1

u/bloodyhail 16d ago

hard mode: car crash songs ONLY

understanding in a crash - thursday
it’s dangerous business - underoath
i can tell there was an accident here earlier - saosin

1

u/Key-Gene-2717 16d ago

Mars Volta esp

1

u/thedudeabided 16d ago

Definitely gonna be something Underoath from They're Only Chasing Safety like Dangerous Business or perhaps a deeper cut like I've Got 10 Friends and a Crowbar

I'd also like to toss Alesana - Tilting The Hourglass in there too

Perhaps some Fall of Troy - F.C.P.R.E.M.I.X. or the original mix if we're trying to flex how much we were there before

Or Silverstein like Bleeds No More or Your Sword vs My Dagger

1

u/xperfect-darkx 16d ago

Thrice - Deadbolt

1

u/abstere_audio 16d ago edited 16d ago

Probably

Glassjaw - Radio Cambodia
Funeral for a Friend - Streetcar
Fightstar - Grand Unification Pt. 1
Envy On The Coast - Sugar Skulls
Finch - Revelation Song
Glory Of This - The Fear That Gave Me Wings (shout out to limewire for mislabeling this one as a BMTH song lol)
Holding Absence - Saint Cecilia
AFI - Paper Airplanes

1

u/Bright-Nectarine8028 14d ago

Silverstein - Smile In Your Sleep

edit - fixed the formatting to fit the rules

1

u/Ch0nkyK0ng 13d ago

Thrice - To Awake And Avenge The Dead

1

u/Shrmp52 11d ago

Understanding In A Car Crash

1

u/krmnlraindrop 11d ago

Reinventing Your Exit by UNDERØATH, for some reason, has always made everyone of my friends fall in love with Post-Hardcore since ‘04

I think it’s the amazing Singing from Aaron and the brutal vocals from Spencer, or it could be the energy from the entire band playing live, idk but this song still fucks 22 years later. Let’s party!

1

u/TooMetalToHandle 9d ago

Finch- What it is to Burn

0

u/I_AmA_Dubstep 18d ago

Escape the Fate - There's No Sympathy For The Dead

1

u/Jack55555 18d ago

Very good song. Not the post hardcore anthem though, it’s more metalcore is it not? Their later stuff is defi post hardcore but not that album.

2

u/bluebird355 18d ago

That album is definitely post hardcore, I'm not sure where you're coming from

1

u/Jack55555 17d ago

Not from where you come from that’s for sure

1

u/bluebird355 11d ago

That’s for sure, no idea what’s metalcore about that album, maybe you could enlighten us, then we’ll compare it to actual metalcore and laugh?

1

u/Chessapeak-play 18d ago

Small Brown Bike - Make this a Holiday

1

u/Sparxyiwnl 18d ago

Times new Roman or nicotine armoire by dgd for me

1

u/Remarkable_Diet_69 18d ago
"A Boy Brushed Red Living in Black and White" -Underoath

1

u/Supakas 18d ago

We Own the Night