The Used
Visceral post-hardcore that balances feral rage with melodic vulnerability. Explosive, theatrical, and deeply confessional music for when you need a total purge.
Visceral post-hardcore that balances feral rage with melodic vulnerability. Explosive, theatrical, and deeply confessional music for when you need a total purge.
The Used emerged from Orem, Utah, in the early 2000s as a pivotal force in the post-hardcore and emo explosion. Led by the charismatic and polarizing Bert McCracken, the band's sound identity is built on a 'soft-loud-brutal' dynamic that incorporates elements of punk, metal, and even hip-hop rhythms in later eras.
Their early work, produced largely by John Feldmann, established a high-gloss but emotionally raw standard for the genre, characterized by intricate vocal layering and aggressive percussion. Culturally, they are often cited as the 'kings of 2000s emo,' bridging the gap between the underground screamo scene and mainstream alternative rock. Their influence is visible in the theatricality of My Chemical Romance and the aggressive vulnerability of modern 'emo-rap' and 'hyper-pop' artists who cite McCracken's vocal delivery as a blueprint. Critical consensus often highlights their ability to maintain a 'dirty' or 'gross' aesthetic even within a major-label framework, particularly on the 2009 album 'Artwork.' Despite various lineup changes, the band has maintained a consistent thematic focus on mortality, addiction, and radical self-honesty.
Shares post-hardcore, emo, screamo (subgenres); studio_polished, layered_dense, analog_warmth (production style)
Shares post-hardcore, screamo, emo (subgenres); studio_polished, layered_dense, dynamic_range (production style)
Shares post-hardcore, screamo, emo (subgenres); basement_show, rainy_day, urban_night (atmosphere)
Shares emo, post-hardcore, punk rock (subgenres); studio_polished, layered_dense, dynamic_range (production style)
Shares post-hardcore, screamo, emo (subgenres); basement_show, urban_night, rainy_day (atmosphere)
Shares emo, post-hardcore, alternative rock (subgenres); studio_polished, layered_dense, dynamic_range (production style)
Shares alternative rock, post-hardcore, emo (subgenres); studio_polished, layered_dense, dynamic_range (production style)
Shares post-hardcore, emo, alternative rock (subgenres); analog_warmth, layered_dense, studio_polished (production style)
Shares post-hardcore, screamo, emo (subgenres); basement_show, rainy_day, urban_night (atmosphere)
Shares post-hardcore, emo, alternative rock (subgenres); layered_dense, analog_warmth, dynamic_range (production style)
Shares screamo, screaming, cathartic, emo (subgenre)
Shares screamo, cathartic, emo, explosive_bursts (subgenre)
Cassette uses generative AI to enrich its catalog. How we use AI →
