Scapegoat

Scapegoat is a seminal post-hardcore and alternative metal outfit hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, formed in 1999. Emerging during the transition from 90s hardcore to the more melodic post-hardcore boom of the early 2000s, the band carved out a niche with a sound characterized by technical proficiency and raw emotional transparency.

Their career arc is defined by a consistent DIY ethic and a refusal to fully succumb to the 'screamo' tropes of their era, instead favoring a more muscular, groove-oriented approach reminiscent of bands like Glassjaw or Poison the Well. Critically, they are often cited as a 'band's band' within the Southeast US underground scene, influencing a generation of regional acts with their intricate guitar interplay and dynamic vocal performances. Their discography, notably 'Let Our Violins Be Heard', showcases a sophisticated understanding of tension and release, blending aggressive dissonance with hauntingly melodic passages. Despite multiple lineup shifts and the challenges of the independent circuit, Scapegoat remains a respected name for their contribution to the evolution of the genre's technical and emotional vocabulary.