It’s funny how your music tastes change as you grow older. In many ways, I like music which is angrier, heavier, dirtier and more violent than when I was younger. My brief flirtation with metalcore as Killswitch Engage rose to prominence in 2002 with Alive or Just Breathing, led to heavier things like Darkest Hour and The Dillinger Escape Plan, but it was only after Anti-Flag pointed me in the direction of politics and Rise Against steered me towards hardcore that I realised the things I enjoyed most about those bands (among others) was actually the fervent catharsis of hardcore. That's what I was really attracted to.
But it had to have melody too. There had to be some kind of vocal hook. I put this down to being a singer, and is perhaps part of the reason why Funeral for a Friend, Alexisonfire and Thrice had such a significant role in my growth as a songwriter.
I digress.
What I’m trying to say is that over the years I’ve grown to appreciate heavier stuff whilst apparently (and subconsciously)...