post-hardcore
These are the best post-hardcore artists featured on Release Wave.

Family Medicine
Family Medicine is an emo/post-hardcore band hailing from St. Louis, known for their dynamic sound and captivating performances. Formed in 2015, the group's lineup includes members Joe, Chris, David, and vocalist Jonathan, with Blake joining on second guitar in 2021. Drawing inspiration from bands like Bear vs Shark and Hey Mercedes, their upcoming album *Very Nice and Good* showcases their growth and dedication to their craft. For fans of Drug Church, Small Brown Bike, Bear Vs Shark, and Hey Mercedes.

Feverchild
Feverchild is a Belgian emo/post-hardcore band from Ghent, formed around 2020, known for blending '90s emo aesthetics with heavy guitars, dynamic shifts, and catchy melodies, drawing members from hardcore scenes (Minded Fury, Force, Animal Club) and featuring production from Gilles Demolder (Oathbreaker). After the release of their EPs in 2021 and 2023, Feverchild are gearing up to release their new full-length album, 'Center of the Earth', on March 20, 2026, via Sunday Drive Records. Feverchild draws comparisons to bands like Texas Is The Reason and Sense Field, promising a compelling addition to the Sunday Drive discography.
Pacifist
Pacifist is a Mumbai-based, 5-piece post-hardcore band known for their cathartic, emotionally charged music blending 90s hardcore, post-punk, and noise-rock, reflecting themes of urban anxiety and societal apathy. Since forming, they've gained recognition in the South Asian hardcore scene with their energetic live shows and releases like the Greyscale Dreams EP, aiming to connect Indian hardcore to the global stage with DIY ethics and powerful soundscapes. The band will release a new EP titled Five EP in January 2026. RIYL: At the Drive In, Refused, Thursday, La Dispute, Touche Amor

Glitterer
Glitterer is a post-hardcore band from Washington, D.C., fronted by singer and bassist Ned Russin, best known as a member of the band Title Fight. Initially a solo project where Russin wrote and performed all instruments, Glitterer has since evolved into a four-member band with drummer Robin Zeijlon, guitarist Colin Gorman, and keyboardist Nicole Dao. The band plays loud, melodic post-hardcore and is known for its quick-hitting songs with a combination of chugging bass, synths, and expressive vocals

Glean
With a foundation of San Diego’s punk influences from Drive Like Jehu, Blink-182, Heroin and others, a band like Glean naturally have a sense of melody. Formed in 2019 by four kids (now young adults), the band blends that melodic instinct with their love of punk and hardcore, crafting energetic, emotional, and catchy songs in the vein of Seaweed, Samiam, Jawbreaker, Lifetime, and Title Fight.

Armor For Sleep
Armor for Sleep is an American emo rock band from New Jersey founded by Ben Jorgensen in 2001. Nash Breen and Peter James "PJ" DeCicco later joined the band after leaving fellow New Jersey band Prevent Falls. Jorgensen stated the name of the band comes from his early experiences of writing music and not being able to sleep. As he recalls, "I guess when I started the band I was kind of, like, retreating in my room and I kind of couldn't really fall asleep, so I started playing music. I just thought of the name Armor for Sleep, because it was really, the music was keeping me from passing out! Which was something I was procrastinating on." Armor For Sleep originally signed to Equal Vision Records, where they released their first two albums, Dream to Make Believe in 2003 and What to Do When You Are Dead in 2005. The band signed to Warner Brothers/Sire Records in 2006, explaining it was "time for a change", and released their third full-length album Smile for Them on October 30, 2007. On August 20, 2008, the band announced an extended play (EP), entitled The Way Out Is Broken before ultimately disbanding. After a 15 year hiatus, the band returned with a new full length for Equal Vision Records called The Rain Musuem and are now gearing up for their 5th full length LP titled "There Is No Memory" set for release in November 2025. Their sound has that classic early 2000s emo/post hardcore sound, appealing to fans of bands like Thursday, Senses Fail, Hidden in Plain View, The Early November and the like.

Brooklyn Comic
Formed in 2022, Brooklyn Comic, alternative emo band from Sydney, Australia, are known for their raw and emotional lyrics, and powerful music. With a mission to raise awareness about mental health, the band resonates with listeners who are navigating their own struggles and seeking connection. Through their honest songwriting and powerful live performances, Brooklyn Comic has quickly become a voice for those who feel unseen or unheard. The band’s music blends emo, hardcore, indie and alternative rock, tackling themes such as loss, self-doubt, heartache and personal growth. As proud allies of the LGBTQIA+ community, Brooklyn Comic is also committed to fostering inclusivity and acceptance, both in the music industry and in the wider world.
RIYL: Movements, Citizen, Basement

Mascara
Paris-based band Mascara, born from a blend of tension and liberation, delivers a captivating, well crafted and smart sonic fusion of shoegaze, heavy alternative rock, and post-hardcore. Formed in 2019, their discography showcases a progression of introspective and explosive sounds, culminating in their first full-length album, 'Going Postal,' set for release on March 13th, 2026 through Fever Ltd, home to amazing bands like Heavenward, Fly Over States and Muted Colors. Drawing from influences like Deftones, Alice in Chains, Silverchair, Nothing, Chevelle, Hum and the like, Mascara's music delves into themes of generational trauma, memory, and the perpetual struggle for personal and global resilience, fueled by heavy guitar tones, pummeling drums, thick grooves, and dreamy vocals. Fans of heavy 90s grunge, alt-rock and dreamy shoegaze done tastefully and interesting are sure to love Mascara.
RIYL Deftones, Alice in Chains, Trauma Ray, Keep, Glare, Soul Blind, Split Chain

Honor Choir
Honor Choir, an up and coming Oklahoma City emo/post-hardcore band will release their new EP "Modes of Transport" on February 13, 2026 via Sunday Drive Records. Drawing influence from Blink-182 with a twist of early-2000s emo and post-hardcore sounds, as well as 80s new-wave bands like New Order, their tracks like "Satellite Receiver" and "Envelope" showcase a cohesive blend of their diverse influences, each featuring catchy choruses.

Capillary
New Jersey has produced some of the greatest emo and rock bands of all time, and the state is continuing to build the next generation of soon to be staple acts. Enter Capillary, the four piece crafting emotive and powerful tracks sure to capture the attention of even the most staunch genre purists. Signed to 51st State Records (run by Joey Chiaramonte of Koyo), the band released their debut self-titled EP in early 2024. Gearing up to release a full-length in 2026, today Capillary share a two song promo - "Lost Sleep" and "Time Before The Order.”
Taking influence from bands like Rites of Spring, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Mineral, you’ll hear strong building melodies, compelling riffs, and poignant vocals. “Lost Sleep” captures living in New Jersey - “a melancholy feeling in the air sometimes longing for those really simple and blissful times,” while "Time Before The Order" calls out the feeling of longing for someone. The tracks were recorded, mixed, and mastered with Justin Bartlett at Studio 4 in Conshohocken, PA (All Under Heaven, Carly Cosgrove).
RIYL: Title Fight, Anxious, One Step Closer, No Pressure

Long Square
Long Square is a new Detroit, Michigan indie/emo /alt-rock band that looks back on the second wave of midwest-emo in which they were raised. Containing big and soaring melodies, technical twinkling guitar riffs over heavy distortion, and emotionally charged vocals, Long Square are gearing up to release their debut LP on Forge Again Records called "Even A Single Lumen". RIYL Braid, Minus the Bear, The Promise Ring, Cap'n Jazz, This Town Needs Guns, Kind of Like Spitting, Cursive

AFI
AFI is the abbreviation for the rock band A Fire Inside, a California-based group known for evolving their sound from hardcore punk into alternative rock and gothic rock since forming in 1991. The band's current lineup includes Davey Havok (vocals), Adam Carson (drums), Hunter Burgan (bass), and Jade Puget (guitar). AFI has achieved multi-platinum success with albums like Sing the Sorrow and Decemberunderground, and continues to release music and tour, solidifying their dedicated fanbase.

House & Home
House & Home is an alternative rock band from Richmond, Virginia, formed in 2017, consisting of Pat Williams (vocals, guitar), Joey Grammer (guitar, vocals), Cole Bennett (bass), and Matt Stumpf (drums) and signed to Open Your Ears Records. The band is known for high-energy hooks, big melodies, poignant lyrics, and a powerful sound with intricate vocal work reminiscent of bands like Citizen, Balance & Composure, Sunday Morning and the like. They have released multiple albums and EPs, including their debut full-length Find Sense. Feel Love. Make Light (2020) and an upcoming sophomore LP titled "I Won't Look For You" coming November 2025.

Sainthood Reps
Sainthood Reps are an emo/indie/post-hardcore band from New York. They have been known for their unique blend of grunge, post-hardcore, shoegaze, and emo since the late 2000’s. After releasing Monoculture in 2011 on Tooth and Nail Records, Headswell in 2013 on No Sleep Records, and a couple of singles here and there, the band spent several years pursuing other projects before eventually regrouping during COVID. Since 2022, the band has been in and out of the studio compiling new music that marks a definitive step forward without straying too far from their signature sound. The band are now signed to Smartpunk Records and will release their 3rd LP titled "Dull Bliss" in September 2025.Sainthood Reps consists of Derrick Sherman, Cesco Montesanto, Bradley Cordaro, and Jani Zubkovs, with Chris Smith featuring in live performances.
RIYL: Balance and Composure, Common Sage, Stay Inside, Superheaven

Held.
Held., the dynamic trio composed of Douglas Robinson and Sal Mignano from The Sleeping, alongside Josh Eppard of Coheed And Cambria, burst onto the scene with their debut album GREY on May 15 through MNRK Heavy. Their music is a blend of alternative rock and post-hardcore, with a fresh and fully realized sound that positions them as sonic tornado chasers, tearing through urgent and volatile musical landscapes.
Notable influences on Held. include bands like My Chemical Romance and Coheed And Cambria, evident in their powerful anthem 'NEW YOU ANTHEM' featuring Frank Iero. Hailing from the musical hub of Woodstock, the trio's serendipitous collaboration and creative energy were captured at the inspiring Animal Farm studio in Flemington, N.J., under the guidance of producer Jon Markson.

Place Position
Dayton-based math rock/post-hardcore power trio Place Position is gearing up to unveil their highly anticipated album Went Silent on January 23. Formed by members of Landfilth, Shadyside, and The 1984 Draft, the band's music is a fusion of intricate rhythm patterns and raw emotion. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Faraquet, Unwound, and Fugazi, Place Position's DIY ethos shines through as they collaborate with various indie labels to bring their music to life.

Footballhead
Initially the solo project of Ryan Nolen, FOOTBALLHEAD showcases the poppier side of 90s radio rock. With big guitars and bubblegum hooks, these nostalgia soaked songs evoke the energy of early Jimmy Eat World, Third Eye Blind, and blink-182 while also incorporating elements of grunge and post-hardcore with bands like Story of the Year, The Used, Basement, and One Step Closer. Nolen has teamed up with Adam Siska (The Academy Is... & Say Anything) to keep the ethos of 90s/2000s alternative pop music fresh and dynamic. The band is currently signed to Tiny Engines and released an LP and EP through them already, and a new LP is set for March 2026.

Bicycle Inn
Bicycle Inn is an emo band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 2016. The band consists of Declan Moloney (bass), Noah Aguiar (guitar/vocals), Dylan Ilkowitz (guitar/auxiliary vocals), Gilmar Perez (lead guitar), and Josh Giaquinto (percussion). They are known for blending emotional, often melancholy themes with an alternative and sometimes post-hardcore edge, and have released albums like This Time and Place Is All I'll Ever Know and forthcoming LP "Long in the Tooth" scheduled for November 2025.
RIYL: Good Sleepy, Charmer, Arm's Length, Ben Quad

Stay Inside
