Sasscore
Sasscore, a subgenre of screamo, is characterized by its aggressive, intense, and often dissonant sound, featuring brief, high-energy songs driven by frantic rhythms and raw, screamed vocals. Emerging in the early 1990s, it evolved from emo and hardcore punk, drawing heavily from their emotional intensity and abrasive musicality. Iconic artists like Orchid, Saetia, and Pg. 99 are quintessential representatives of the genre's early sound. Sasscore's lyrical themes often explore emotional suffering, romance, feminism, politics, and human rights, reflecting a deeply engaged and often politically conscious ethos.
More about Sasscore
Sasscore is one of the newest and most deliberately provocative micro-genres in the metal and hardcore scene. Born in the 2010s and formalised in the 2020s, it crosses the aggression of metalcore and deathcore with an unabashed pop-punk aesthetic, lyrics laced with humour and self-deprecation, and a boldly feminine and queer attitude that stands out in the traditionally male worlds of extreme metal. The portmanteau word "sass" — cheekiness, impertinence — sums up the spirit of the genre.
Musically, sasscore pairs heavy breakdowns and aggressive guitar riffs with catchy pop choruses and polished production sometimes close to hyperpop. The duality between melodic sung passages and screamed or guttural sections is central to the genre. Lyrics tackle themes such as self-assertion, rejection of gender norms and young social life, with cutting irony. The sasscore scene is especially active on social media.
Scene Queen is the genre's most iconic figure, having helped define and popularise sasscore with viral tracks combining metal energy and kawaii pop aesthetics. Trencher and mclusky bring noise rock and post-hardcore influences that broaden the genre's sonic palette.
Still niche at mainstream festivals, sasscore is gaining visibility at alternative, metalcore and underground heavy music events. Its community — very young and very connected — organises shows in independent venues and generates powerful word-of-mouth online. Following sasscore festivals is the best way to take the pulse of a scene that is bold, unapologetic and still very much under construction.