Deathcore Songwriting Advice

You want riffs that crush skulls and songs that make people stage dive into a new life choice. You want breakdowns that cause seismic activity. You want vocals that sound like a thunderstorm with teeth. This guide gives a usable map for writing deathcore tracks that hit hard and sound professional. We cover riff craft, rhythmic violence, breakdown design, vocal technique, lyric choices, arrangement, recording, mixing notes, and finishing workflows.

Everything here uses plain language. Every acronym gets explained. Expect no fluff and lots of real world scenarios you can steal. We write like your loudest friend who also knows how to tune a cabinet mic. If you are ready to stop writing riffs that sound like permission slips, keep reading.

What Is Deathcore

Deathcore is a heavy music style that blends death metal intensity and metalcore structure. It uses low tuned guitars, fast blast beats, chugging palm mute riffs, and heavy breakdowns. Vocally the style often mixes low guttural growls, pig squeals, and high screams. Deathcore songs can be chaotic and precise at the same time. The goal is to balance extreme aggression with memorable musical architecture.

Real life example

• Your favorite song starts like a bullet and then the chorus is a wall of breakdown so heavy people rearrange their internal organs and smile about it later.

Core Elements of Deathcore Songwriting

• Riff focus A deathcore song lives and dies on riffs that have rhythm and attitude.
• Breakdown placement Breakdowns are the emotional and physical payoff. Place them where they land like a punch.
• Drum intensity From blast beats to halftime grooves the drums must push the energy and then open it up for breakdowns.
• Vocal dynamics Use a palette of gutturals and screams to vary texture and energy.
• Tuning and tone Low tunings and tight low end management give the music weight without mud.

Riff Writing Fundamentals

Riffs in deathcore are more than notes played loud. They are rhythm statements. Think of each riff as a sentence that demands a response. Riffs need a rhythmic identity and a small melodic hook. Focus on groove, syncopation, and small repeated units that change when the section needs to breathe.

Start With a Rhythm

Pick a drum groove idea first. Tap it on your desk. Record it with your phone. Now play a small guitar motif that locks with the kick pattern. Deathcore riffing thrives on rhythmic interplay between kick and guitar. If your riff does not make your foot want to follow the kick it will not feel heavy enough in a pit.

Real life scenario

• On the train your head nods in a specific pattern. That pattern can be the core of a riff. Record it now because inspiration disappears fast.

Use Short Motifs and Repeat With Variation

Write a motif that is two to four notes long. Repeat it with small changes. Variation can be a rhythmic shift, a changed ending note, or a move up or down a string set. Repetition creates memory. Variation creates interest.

Syncopation and Anticipation

Syncopation in deathcore is not decorative. It is the engine of groove. Place accents off the beat to create tension. Use anticipations where a riff plays slightly before the beat then resolves on a heavy downbeat. This is how riffs feel like punches with echo.

Chromaticism and Dissonance

Use chromatic passing notes and dissonant intervals like flat second and tritone to create an unsettling tone. Dissonance works best when it resolves or when it sets the scene. Overuse becomes noise. Keep dissonant moments as highlights so they hit harder.

Scale Choices That Sound Brutal

Common scale choices

• Natural minor Also known as Aeolian. Good for dark atmosphere.
• Phrygian Flat second interval gives an exotic aggressive tone.
• Harmonic minor The raised seventh gives dramatic, almost classical tension.
• Chromatic runs Short chromatic fills between chord hits create grind.

Example: Play a low open string root then quick move to the flat second then back to the root. It will feel like a punch to the face in three notes.

Designing Breakdowns

Breakdowns are deathcore currency. They are the moments the crowd waits for and they are the easiest part of the song to remember. A strong breakdown has rhythm clarity, low frequency impact, and a clear entry. If your breakdown sounds like a muddy soup it will create nothing but confusion.

Breakdown Anatomy

• Hit pattern A clear rhythmic cell that repeats and hits with the kick.
• Dynamic change Often a move to halftime or a removal of high frequency to increase contrast.
• Low end focus Tight bass and guitar interaction at low tuning.
• Space Allow rests so the next hit lands harder.

Make the Build Logical

Do not drop into a breakdown without setup. Build tension with rising tom fills, vocal shouts, or a silence just before the first downbeat. Silence is a tool. A one beat rest before the entrance makes the hit feel like a meteor.

Halftime vs Full Time

Halftime gives weight. Full time accelerates aggression. Use halftime for shoulder to shoulder moshing and full time for running chaos. Switch between them for variety. The difference between the two is where the snare sits. In halftime the snare hits on what feels like beat three. In full time the snare hits on two and four. Experiment with tempo and feel until the breakdown feels like it has its own gravity.

Groove Breakdown Exercise

1. Set tempo to a number that feels heavy. 120 to 140 BPM often works for halftime breakdowns. If using faster blast beats pick a higher BPM.
2. Create a simple kick then place a guitar palm mute on the root along with a two note rhythmic cell.
3. Remove high end frequencies from guitar or add a low pass on a mix bus to make it darker.
4. Add a tom or floor tom pattern to build to the main hit. Add a one beat rest at the drop for impact.

Drum Writing for Maximum Aggression

Drum parts are the scaffolding. Good drums make riffs sound unstoppable. Key aspects are choice of blast versus groove, ghost notes for texture, and well placed fills that lead to breakdowns.

Blast Beats and Their Use

A blast beat is a rapid alternation between kick and snare that creates a wall of sound when played at high speed. Use blasts to escalate tension and then cut them to let a breakdown land like an avalanche. Too much blasting can desensitize a listener so place it with purpose.

Ghost Notes and Pocket

Ghost notes on the snare add texture and groove even under extreme speed. They help the ear find the meter. Tuning the snare and using samples layered under the acoustic hit helps the snare cut through high distortion.

Fills That Tell a Story

Fills should signal a change. A simple tom roll that increases density over two bars then stops creates anticipation. Make fills that push the energy in a predictable way so the audience knows something heavy is coming.

Vocal Techniques and Writing Lyrics

Vocals are the identity band members remember. Deathcore vocals vary from deep gutturals to high screams and even pig squeals. Technique matters for sustain and health. Good vocals also support the music. They add another rhythmic instrument rather than overshadowing the guitars and drums.

Vocal Types Explained

• Guttural Low frequency vocalization often felt more than heard. Uses false cord or fry technique. It makes the chest rumble.
• Fry growl Uses fry register with controlled distortion of the vocal folds.
• Scream High pitch sound using false cord or fry with higher placement in the throat.
• Pig squeal A high pitched squeal created with specific mouth shape and vocal tract compression. This is advanced and can be damaging without proper training.

When we say training we mean practical voice work. Learn breath support, avoid throat pushing, and use short sessions to build endurance. A vocal coach who knows extreme vocals is worth the cost because it prevents road work that ruins tours.

Lyric Writing Tips That Avoid Clich s

Deathcore lyrics often explore anger, existential dread, horror, or social critique. Avoid repeating the same cliché lines. Add specific images, small stories, or ironic lines. A single concrete detail can make a lyric memorable. Think of a line that could appear in a short film and place it at the emotional turn of the verse or chorus.

Relatable scenario

• Instead of writing about general rage write about a broken coffee machine that keeps you awake and becomes a metaphor for the city eating you alive. The listener gets a laugh then a gut punch.

Placing Vocals in the Mix

Deathcore vocals need presence. Use a combination of processing techniques. Record clean takes then layer processed takes. Add a parallel chain with saturation and low pass to emphasize grit. Compress to control dynamics but avoid squashing expressive peaks. Use bus reverb sparingly. A short room verb helps place the vocal in space without washing the aggression away.

Tuning and Guitar Tone

Tuning gives deathcore its weight. Common tunings include drop A, drop G, or even lower. The exact string choice depends on string gauge and scale length of the guitar. Heavier gauge strings maintain tension in low tunings and help keep the notes defined.

Tuning Choices and Practical Notes

• Drop A Root on the lowest string tuned to A. Gives deep low end with chunky root motion.
• Drop G Even lower and requires heavier strings or extended scale length to avoid floppiness.
• Seven string guitars Provide low range without the need to downtune standard guitars.

Real world advice: If you are playing live on the same bill as bands that use standard tuning avoid extreme downtuning unless you have thick strings and a setup that keeps intonation. Poorly tuned instruments are the fastest way to ruin a heavy set.

Dialing a Deathcore Guitar Tone

• Saturate the mid low Boost around 100 to 250 Hz for weight while cutting around 300 to 500 Hz to avoid boxiness.
• Contour the high mids Presence around 1.5 to 3 kHz creates attack and note definition.
• Use amp sims or real amps Amp simulators have come a long way. Use high quality cabinet simulation and layer a DI with re amp or an overdriven sample to add bite.
• Avoid excessive low end Use a high pass on the guitar bus to keep the very low frequencies for bass and kick.

Bass and Low End Management

Bass guitar in deathcore locks with the kick. A tight relationship between bass and kick prevents low end mush. Decide whether the bass follows the guitar or doubles the kick. Both choices are valid as long as they do not fight for the same frequency space.

Techniques

• Subby synth layer A sub sine layer under the bass adds rumble without adding midrange clutter.
• Envelope control Tighten the bass attack with transient shaping so it does not smear in the mix.
• Sidechain Slight sidechain of the bass to the kick creates room for the kick impact.

Arrangement and Song Structure

Deathcore structures can be straightforward or adventurous. The common goal is to build tension and release it in breakdowns and choruses. Keep sections identifiable and avoid too many ideas that lead nowhere.

Reliable Structure Template

• Intro motif to establish tone
• Verse one with rhythmic riffing and vocals
• Pre chorus or build to raise tension
• Chorus or heavy hook that repeats a signature riff
• Bridge or lead to shift dynamics
• Drop into main breakdown
• Final section with variation for the last breakdown and possible outro

Variation template example: Use the chorus riff once as a motif after the breakdown to remind the listener of the hook. This keeps the arrangement tight and memorable.

Writing Workflow for Faster Songs

Speed matters. Finish songs before the idea grows stale. Use a tight workflow to go from riff to demo quickly.

1. Riff capture Record riffs on your phone. Label them. Do not trust memory.
2. Map the skeleton Arrange riffs in a simple DAW session. DAW means Digital Audio Workstation. It is software like Ableton, Reaper, or Pro Tools.
3. Drum guide Use a drum machine or programmed drum guide to test groove. Tight drums clarify whether a riff works.
4. Vocal sketch Add rough vocal take to see if the riff supports the vocal rhythm and pitch.
5. First breakdown pass Build one strong breakdown and place it so the song has a destination.
6. Demo Record a simple demo with guitar DI, amp sim, and programmed drums to test the whole structure.
7. Feedback and finish Play the demo to two friends who know the scene and one who does not. Ask what moment they remember. If no one mentions the breakdown find a new breakdown.

Recording and Production Tips

Good songs are made better by smart production. You do not need a million dollars in gear. You need decisions that serve the song.

Guitar Tracking

• Record DI and amp Always record a clean DI along with your mic'd amp track. The DI is a safety net for re amp and editing.
• Double rhythm guitars Record left and right takes and pan them wide. Slight timing and performance differences create thickness.
• Layer a tight sample For extra attack layer a tight high end pick or an overdriven sample under the real guitar to cut through.

Drum Production

• Trigger wisely Use triggers for kick and snare to ensure consistency. Trigger does not mean replace everything. Blend natural sound with samples for realism.
• Room mics Capture a room or overhead that gives weight. Blend for feel not for volume.
• Quantize lightly Keep human feel. Quantize only to tighten obvious timing issues.

Vocal Recording

• Multiple passes Record several takes of each vocal part. Combine to create the best performance.
• Control plosives Use a pop filter and distance. Low gutturals can create heavy air pushes.
• Layer for impact Double low growls and add a processed aggressive take under them for presence.

Mixing Tips That Keep the Brutality

Mixing deathcore means giving each element space while preserving intensity. The main challenge is low end clarity and guitar aggression. The mix should be loud and clear without being a cluttered mess.

Kick and Bass Relationship

Decide whether the kick is the main percussive thump or whether the bass carries the sub. Use sidechain compression to let the kick punch through. Tune the kick sample to match the song root so the attack and pitch work together.

Guitar Bus Chains

• High pass Remove rumble below 40 Hz from guitars.
• Mid scoop Slight cut around 300 to 500 Hz to reduce boxiness then boost 1.5 to 3 kHz for attack.
• Saturation Gentle saturation increases perceived loudness without extreme compression.

Vocal Bus

Compress to control dynamics and then use parallel distortion to add grit. Reverb should be short and dark for screams and minimal for gutturals. Delay can be used creatively in transitions to thicken a scream before a breakdown.

Mastering Considerations

Mastering is less about making things louder and more about balance and translation. Deathcore masters need to survive club PA as well as headphones. Avoid over limiting which kills dynamics and makes the song sound flat.

Practical Master Checklist

• Check mono compatibility
• Ensure low end is controlled under 40 Hz
• Use a good limiter but leave 2 to 3 dB of headroom on peaks before limiting
• Reference commercial records you want to sound like and match tonal balance not loudness

Common Songwriting Problems and Fixes

Problem: Riff has no identity

Fix: Reduce notes. Find the one rhythmic gesture that defines the riff then add an ornamental fill once every two bars. The less you play the more each note means.

Problem: Breakdown sounds muddy

Fix: Remove competing midrange elements and tighten the bass and kick. Add a one beat rest before the main hit. Use EQ cuts on guitars to make room for the kick and bass in the 60 to 120 Hz region.

Problem: Vocals sound thin

Fix: Layer a slightly distorted duplicate under the main vocal and pan it wide or use dynamic EQ to add presence between 1.5 and 3 kHz. Also check mic technique and distance.

Problem: Live performance collapses

Fix: Simplify parts for live. Use less extreme tuning or have a guitar tech retune between songs. Make sure the drummer and guitarist lock the pocket. Practice transitions until they are muscle memory.

Songwriting Exercises

One Riff Rule

Write a song where everything comes from one riff. Break the riff into small parts and rearrange. Change rhythm and register but keep the core motif. This creates a unified song that still has variation.

Halftime Build Drill

1. Write a two bar riff in full time feel.
2. Repeat and then take the groove to halftime with a space before the hit.
3. Add tom fills that increase density over four bars then drop into a one bar silence for the first massive hit.

Vocal Palette Practice

Record three minutes of improvised gutturals, screams, and squeals. Label the moments that have a unique tone. Use those moments as hooks. Repeat the best five seconds and write a two line vocal motif to fit it.

Real Life Examples and Small Wins

Example one

• Riff idea captured while stuck in a grocery queue. Tap the rhythm of the conveyor belt then play it on a low string. It became the main riff for a song with a chorus that used the same rhythm at a different pitch.

Example two

• A breakdown idea came from watching construction jackhammers. The one beat rest after two heavy hits was the moment of inspiration that made the breakdown land in the first rehearsal.

Collaboration Tips

Deathcore bands are often three or more members. Collaboration works best when you have a simple system. Use a shared folder for riffs. Label files and include tempo and key information. When someone brings a riff show respect and record it immediately. If a riff needs work give specific notes not vague criticism.

Try this communication template

• I love the rhythm. Try moving the last hit forward a sixteenth to make it feel more urgent. Also let us test a halftime variant for the breakdown.

Finishing and Shipping

Finish by deciding on a final version that serves the song. Do not chase infinite heaviness. Pick the take that has energy even if it is not perfect. Songs performed live become better with time. Release the record then tour and let the songs evolve organically.

Deathcore Songwriting FAQ

What tuning should I use for deathcore

Common options are drop A or drop G. Seven string guitars let you reach low notes without sacrificing tension. Choose strings and setup that maintain playability. Test tunings with the drummer because different tunings change how the kick and guitar interact.

How do I make a breakdown hit harder

Use space, tune the kick and bass, and create contrast before the hit. A one beat silence or a vocal shout before the first downbeat increases impact. Tighten the low end with EQ and transient shaping so the hit does not smear.

Can I mix deathcore at home without pro gear

Yes. Use quality amp sims, a good interface, and reference mixes. Focus on arrangement and tone first. Use high quality samples for drums. Learn to manage low end and keep translation across systems in mind by testing on headphones and cheap speakers.

How do I avoid vocal injury

Use proper support and short practice sessions. Learn breathing and technique from an extreme vocalist coach. Hydrate and rest the voice. Never push through pain. You will lose more time than you save by forcing bad technique.

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