The Scene's Best Pre-Breakdown Call-Outs
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Whether it’s a phrase or a well-timed “blegh”, nothing gets the scene more hyped than a mosh-inducing pre-breakdown call-out. Here is our list of some of the most memorable this scene has to offer.
A Day to Remember - “Mr. Highway’s Thinking About the End”
Starting this list off strong, A Day to Remember delivered one of the most iconic pre-breakdown call-outs in “Disrespect your surroundings!” on “Mr. Highway’s Thinking About the End”. One of the most popular songs off their pinnacle 2009 album Homesick, it has become a setlist staple and the centre of more than a few memes.
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQmpjFmB9yg&w=854&h=480]
Wage War - “Stitch”
Wage War cap off their aggressive metalcore anthem “Stitch” with “You were the light I could never see in myself, I would've stood by you until the gates of hell”. For those who have not experienced the chaos that ensues during this breakdown, all we’ll say is that you’re missing out.
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE7oZ9nVFB0&w=854&h=480]
Beartooth - “I Have a Problem”
Certainly one of the most abrasive songs Beartooth has ever delivered, with a shredded vocal delivery from front-man Caleb Shomo, “I Have a Problem” contains a break-neck call-out in “I don’t know about you, but I’m admitting now that I have a problem”. One of those call-outs that makes you stop the circle pit, scream the words back at Shomo, and then completely disregard your life by jumping head first back into the pit.
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTUCGRu_DL4&w=854&h=480]
Parkway Drive - “Romance is Dead”
While Parkway Drive have undergone quite the change in sound since 2005’s Killing With A Smile, there’s no denying this band delivers one of the most memorable mosh-calls with “So cry me a fucking river, bitch”. Centred in slow chugging riffs, this will always be a fan-favorite breakdown.
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE8-g1gJSOY&w=854&h=480]
Ice Nine Kills - “Stabbing in the Dark”
Ice Nine Kills gave fans a plethora of horror-inspired call-outs on 2018’s The Silver Scream, but “Stabbing in the Dark” is a clear standout with not one, but two impeccable examples. While the song begins with eerie theatrical clean vocals, Spencer Charnas provokes pure violence with his delivery of “These are the devil’s eyes!”. Later, the truly sinister nature of “You can’t kill the boogeyman” sets off one of our favorite breakdowns in all of metalcore.
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGns433H8nA&w=854&h=480]
Bring Me the Horizon - “The House of Wolves”
Hailed as a metalcore classic, Bring Me the Horizon’s Sempiternal contains several notable breakdowns but none have a better call-out than that in “The House of Wolves”. “And when you die, the only kingdom you'll see is 2 foot wide and 6 foot deep” has inspired not only its fair share of angry mosh-pits, but many tattoos as well.
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN4GjxT1NDQ&w=854&h=480]
Silent Planet - “Share the Body”
Silent Planet is not the band that typically comes to mind when thinking of heavy breakdowns, but Garrett Russell’s delivery of “I hit the bottom, then it hit me back” is more than deserving of a spot on this list. We’ll personally be raging to this breakdown on their Trilogy 2020 tour this spring.
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2sq7X8ABCM&w=854&h=480]
Knocked Loose - “Counting Worms”
Only 17 words in total, Knocked Loose’s “Counting Worms” contains one of the most meme-worthy call-outs in all of hardcore. “ARF, ARF!” is not a traditional call-out by any means, but combined with the melodic intensity of the song, it acts as a warning signal for the spin kicks that are sure to follow.
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBZxC9-tJ2Q&w=854&h=480]
Architects - “These Colours Don’t Run”
Master of the “blegh” himself, Sam Carter could have given Architects every spot on this list, but we should all be able to agree that “These Colours Don’t Run” contains one of the greatest pre-breakdown call-outs this scene has ever been graced with. This song slowly builds in emotional turmoil until “You had it all, you fucking pigs!” sets off THE breakdown of 2012.
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHHJF2cUwyY&w=854&h=480]
The Ghost Inside - “Mercy”
Rounding out this list is The Ghost Inside’s “Mercy”, which we know those who have been scrolling thus far have been waiting to come across. “Mercy” sets an overly powerful tone from the very beginning, but when the famous call-out in “Life's swinging hard but I'm swinging harder.” there’s absolutely no holding back. Just watch the “Live at The Shrine” performance below to get a taste for yourself.
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7mSPGJFTeQ&w=854&h=480]
One of the greatest things about this scene is that we have barely begun to scratch the surface of the best pre-breakdown call-outs. If we missed some of your favorites, mention them in the comments and perhaps we’ll run a part two just for you. Until then, keep banging those heads!