All About Swancore, The Post-Hardcore Subgenre You Might Not Know

Be honest—you’ve never heard of swancore before. That’s okay, we all have to start somewhere, and here is your first lesson: this post-hardcore progressive genre is totally underrated. This loose term technically comes from Will Swan’s record label, Blue Swan Records. Swan is the guitarist of Dance Gavin Dance, and many of the bands that fall under this subgenre are featured on his label. Hence, swancore, however, not all artists listed here are part of Blue Swan Records. Here are four artists who make swancore what it is beyond the limits of a label. It’s one part math rock, one part hardcore, and all parts head-boppingly addictive.

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Dance Gavin Dance

Swancore is recognized by the math-rock guitars, elements of hardcore, and clean, higher-pitched vocals. In this, Dance Gavin Dance is a pillar of the subgenre. Their 2020 album Afterburner is a great example of those undistorted vocals, progressive guitar and percussion work, and overall past-paced instrumentals. Because of this, plus the origins of the modern genre, Dance Gavin Dance is essential when researching swancore.

The Fall of Troy

While The Fall of Troy is not part of Blue Swan Records, they are still purveyors of swancore style. Their sound is a little looser than Dance Gavin Dance, and they lean more into hardcore. However, there are moments when they remain tight and controlled before dropping off into a rougher style. While the vocals are clean and free of distortion, there’s a subtle grit to frontman Thomas Erak’s voice. This helps distinguish The Fall of Troy from other swancore bands.

Wolf & Bear

As far as swancore goes, Wolf & Bear is another great example. They’re similar to Dance Gavin Dance in the vocal style and controlled guitar work, but Wolf & Bear possesses more of a melodic hardcore style. There’s even something subtly hip-hop in the way Marcus Cisneros delivers his vocals. It’s an eclectic mix of genres and elements that come together into a neat package, which the band takes to new levels.

Televangelist

Televangelist—an experimental project by artist Dorian Domi—remains swancore at its heart while also expanding beyond the limits of the subgenre. On the 2021 album Daydream Abraxas, Domi experiments with style, synth, and sound to create a complete sonic experience. It’s part math rock, part prog, part performance piece, and it comes together into a cohesive project that takes listeners on a wild journey. For example, the track “Earth Below Us” features audio from the 1986 Challenger disaster. Overall, Televangelist is unlike anything I’ve heard before, and while it contains elements of swancore, the project should be in a genre of its own.

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