The year is 2004. The collaboration of a lifetime between rapper Jay-Z and the band Linkin Park, Collision Course, was released. A genre-defying team-up that lit the world on fire. Bridging the gap between two completely different demographics and showing us that at the end of the day, music is music. Sure, rock music and hip-hop have collaborated before, but to hear a heavy band screaming alongside the voice of one of the most legendary rappers of all time was truly something special for alternative music.
Fast forward to the present, and the line between alternative music and pop music has blurred even more. Last year, scene veterans Bring Me The Horizon teamed up with Ed Sheeran to create a new heavier version of the radio hit “Bad Habits.” A few weeks ago, we all collectively threw out their 2023 bingo cards when everyone was in shock and awe over Spiritbox’s new rendition of Megan Thee Stallion’s song “Cobra.” Another massive W for the alternative music scene, exposing the world to music that used to only be considered underground. From basements to arenas, our scene is slowly becoming mainstream. Bring Me The Horizon and Spiritbox are carrying the torch Linkin Park lit almost twenty years ago, but who’s next?
Knocked Loose x Post Malone
Knocked Loose has been one of the biggest rising stars in the heavy music space for the last few years. From touring with $uicideboy$ to playing some of the biggest festivals in the world, such as Lollapalooza, Coachella, and Bonnaroo, the band has spread the word of hardcore and metalcore to the masses without compromising their sound to be more accessible.
By now, Post Malone is a household name—everyone and their mom knows who Posty is. But what everyone might not know is that the “Rockstar” vocalist played guitar in a metalcore band in high school called Ashley’s Arrival. They even covered Asking Alexandria’s “The Final Episode (Let’s Change Channel).” In addition to that, he also auditioned to play guitar for Crown The Empire in 2010, where he broke a string and ultimately didn’t land the gig. His metalcore-infused past is the perfect setup for a dream team collaboration with the juggernauts Knocked Loose. Hopefully, lending both his vocal and guitar prowess to the freight train signature tone from Oldham County.
Holding Absence x John Mayer
The UK-based emotional rockers Holding Absence have had a landmark year. From touring with Electric Callboy, Senses Fail, Pierce The Veil, and the release of their new full-length The Noble Art Of Self Destruction. The charismatic vocals of Lucas Woodland, accompanied by the enormous music behind him, are nothing short of a religious experience. What better match to pair with them than guitar phenom John Mayer? No stranger to epic team-ups, he lent his insane guitar abilities to Fall Out Boy’s cover of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” in 2008. Mayer’s ability to meld his playing with whoever he’s around is a true feat of musicianship. Whether Holding Absence could add their flare to a popular John Mayer song or Mayer lend his abilities to one of there’s, it seems like a massive win-win.
Sleep Token x boygenius
The ethereal enigma known as Sleep Token has seemingly risen to relevance out of thin air, but the band formed in 2016. Crafting their mysterious brand while writing beautiful heavy music filled with head-turning theatrical melodies has led them to being premiere festival acts as well a myriad of sell out shows to boot.
boygenius, the indie rock supergroup featuring Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus, is an emotional gut-punch of unreal harmonies partnered with ambient musical brilliance. A sound that is unabashedly them. The band has collaborated with Hayley Williams of Paramore, Baker has performed on stage with Turnstile, and Bridgers rocked a Dying Wish hoodie in a social media post a few months ago. The alternative music scene is definitely in their sights. What better to have three of the most unique artists in music collaborating with one of the most transcendent bands in the genre, bringing something we’ve never heard before?
Dayseeker x SZA
We’re not sure another band is more suited for a pop music team-up than Dayseeker. Vocalist Rory Rodriguez and his powerful voice have become the defining attribute of the outfit, being one of the biggest highlights of their latest album, Dark Sun. The band has left a lot of their metalcore influences in the past, leading with a more pop and R&B influence, garnering the band more attention and notoriety. The word “heavy” now more accurately describes their subject matter rather than their sonic stylings. This is why pop superstar SZA is the perfect pair for Rory’s vocals.
While the subject matter in each song may differ, her lyrics are also very vulnerable and examinations of one’s self, much like Rory’s. She is no stranger to collaborations, working on songs with Drake, Travis Scott, Phoebe Bridgers, and more. Her sometimes brutal lyric stylings could bring her to the world of heavy music, especially with Megan Thee Stallion paving the way. Hearing these two beautiful voices together in harmony over the rich and euphoric instrumentals Dayseeker is known for is a potential match made in heaven.
Dying Wish x Travie McCoy
2000s metalcore act reincarnate Dying Wish is currently crushing their headline tour with sell-out shows following the release of their sophomore album, Symptoms Of Survival. From touring with Limp Bizkit to Hatebreed to Code Orange, the band is no stranger to the big leagues. Gym Class Heroes frontman Travie McCoy may be known for his hip-hop-influenced pop-punk music, but he is no stranger to the realm of heavy music. While on Warped Tour in 2008, the band covered Lamb Of God’s “Laid To Rest.” He even joined the band on stage on their current tour in Las Vegas. On paper, this might not make the most sense. But that’s part of what makes it so interesting and fun. The next step is hitting the vocal booth for a more concrete feature.
