Our top 10 Emmure songs list presents the music of a Connecticut-based ensemble distinguished for its blend of deathcore, metalcore, and nu-metal sound. Emmure was formed in 2003 by vocalist Frankie Palmeri, rhythm guitarist Ben Lionetti, and drummer Joe Lionetti. The trio would later tag in guitarist Jesse Ketive and bassist Dan Steindler into the band’s original lineup. Emmure had its name inspired by the term “immurement,” which refers to an act of execution.
Even before the band made any releases, its lineup started evolving, with bassist Dan Steindler leaving the group in 2004. His spot was taken by Mark Davis, who played with Emmure for over a decade before leaving the band. The band’s first release was marked by its debut EP, The Complete Guide to Needlework, in 2006.
The Complete Guide to Needlework was issued through This City is Burning Records, with the production work done by Antoine Lussier of Ion Dissonance. Emmure featured deathcore and metalcore sonic influences in this 2006 EP. The band’s efforts led it to sign a recording contract with Victory Records, once home to Bayside, Taking Back Sunday, Thursday, A Day to Remember, and Silverstein.
Emmure went on to release eight studio albums; six were issued through Victory Records, and the last two were issued through SharpTone Records. Most of the band’s songs cover the themes of social indifference, faith, philosophy, and relationship disintegrations. Emmure’s vocalist Frankie Palmeri has cited Jonathan Davis of Korn and Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit as his influences.
Emmure’s Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
After coming together in 2003, the band took quite some time before making any releases. However, the band broke the spell of no releases with its first and only EP, The Complete Guide to Needlework, in 2006. This would soon be followed by the band’s debut LP Goodbye to the Gallows, in March 2007. Goodbye to the Gallows was produced by Zeuss, who has also produced for other artists, including Hatebreed, God Forbid, Rob Zombie, All That Remains, Suicide Silence, and Queensrÿche.
The band maintained the same lineup that issued The Complete Guide to Needlework, with bassist Mark Davis being the only non-original member. While the album failed to rise to the Billboard 200, it managed the fifteenth spot on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart. Goodbye to the Gallows also peaked at number thirty-three on the Billboard Independent Albums chart. “10 Signs You Should Leave” is one of the best Emmure songs from Goodbye to the Gallows.
Emmure’s Album Releases over the Years
After the release of the successful LP, Goodbye to the Gallows, Emmure returned in 2008 with its sophomore LP, The Respect Issue. The Respect Issue saw the band take on deathcore and metalcore sounds, issuing powerful ballads including “False Love in Real Life. The album performed better than the band’s debut album, rising to the fourth spot on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart. On the Billboard 200, The Respect Issue peaked at number one hundred and forty-one. The Respect Issue was the last LP to feature rhythm guitarist Ben Lionetti and drummer Joe Lionetti.
In 2009, Emmure released its third studio album, Felony. Felony featured a new line introducing drummer Mike Kaabe and guitarist Mike Mulholland. Unlike most of the band’s previous LP releases, Felony featured the nu-metal sound. However, the LP didn’t compromise on the band’s usual metalcore sound. The album peaked at number sixty on the Billboard 200. “I Thought You Met Telly and Turned Me into Casper” is the album’s most popular Emmure song.
Speaker of the Dead, issued in 2011, marked the band’s fourth LP. This was supposed to be the band’s last LP through Victory Records, but Emmure renewed the contract with the label. Speaker of the Dead is the first album by the band to feature nu-metal, metalcore, and deathcore sonic vibes. The album was produced by the legendary producer Joey Sturgis who has also worked with The Devil Wears Prada, Before Their Eyes, Kingston Falls, The Crimson Armada, Asking Alexandria, Attila, and Conquer Divide.
“Solar Flare Homicide,” “Drug Dealer Friend,” and “Children of Cybertron” are some of the best Emmure songs from the album. The album peaked at number sixty-eight on the Billboard 200. Speaker of the Dead also managed to rise to number eleven on the Billboard Independent Albums chart.
Later in 2012, Emmure released its fifth LP, Slave to the Game. The album marked Mark Castillo’s first LP as a member of the band. This was after the departure of drummer Mike Kaabe. Mark Castillo has also played with other bands, including Crossfade, Bury Your Dead, and Between the Buried and Me. Slave to the Game featured some of the biggest songs by Emmure, including “MDMA,” “Protoman,” and “I Am Onslaught.” The album rose to number fifty-eight on the Billboard 200.
Emmure released its sixth LP, Eternal Enemies, in April 2014. The album marked the band’s final album issued through Victory Records. Unfortunately, all the members of the band’s lineup left except vocalist Frankie Palmeri. Eternal Enemies rose to the fourth spot on the Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums chart. The album also peaked at number fifty-seven on the Billboard 200. “Nemesis,” A Gift A Curse,” “and Like LaMotta” are some of the best Emmure songs from the album.
After the departure of all other members of the band lineup, Frankie didn’t lose hope in the band. Instead, he teamed up with guitarist Joshua Travis, drummer Josh Miller, and bassist Phil Lockett to form a new lineup for the release of the band’s seventh LP. Look at Yourself, the band’s seventh LP, marked the band’s first LP issued through SharpTone Records.
Unlike all the other albums, Look at Yourself featured the djent sonic influences in addition to the band’s usual metalcore and nu-metal sound. “Flag of the Beast” is one of the biggest hits by Emmure. Look at Yourself managed to rise to number seventy-three on the Billboard 200 chart. The album also made it to the German and Swiss Albums charts, peaking at number fifty-nine and sixty-six, respectively.
Hindsight, issued in 2020, is the band’s most recent album released. The album was issued through SharpTone Records. “Thunder Mouth” and “Gypsy Disco” are some of the best Emmure songs from the album. Unfortunately, the band has failed to attract much attention compared to the band’s previous releases.
Emmure’s Accolades and Legacy
Emmure remains one of the most successful deathcore acts of the twenty-first century in the US despite not having awards to showcase for the same. Throughout its music career, the band has interacted with tons of artists during its multiple tours. Some of the artists Emmure has shared a stage with include Architects, Parkway Drive, Veil of Maya, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Suicide Silence, and August Burns Red. Here present the best Emmure songs sampled from the band’s eight studio albums.
#10- 10 Signs You Should Leave
Ushering us to the top 10 Emmure songs list is the hard-hitting ballad “10 Signs You Should Leave.” The song is featured on the band’s debut studio album, Goodbye to the Gallows. “10 Signs You Should Leave” was penned by Frankie Palmeri with the help of his fellow band members. The song’s lyrics allude to feelings related to the crumbling of a romantic relationship.
#9- Protoman
“Protoman” is one of the biggest hits of the band’s fifth LP, Slave to the Game. The song finds the band delivering one of its most energetic breakdown-oriented metalcore sounds. “Protoman” is among the hits that find Mark Castillo as a member of Emmure. Mark delivers some powerful drumming skills on this song. Unfortunately, Mark only released two albums with the band, being among the shortest-serving members of Emmure.
#8- Children of Cybertron
Our number eight-track on the ten best Emmure songs is the striking hit “Children of Cybertron.” The song is featured on the band’s studio album, Speaker of the Dead. “Children of Cybertron” starts with an energetic set of polyrhythmic sounds and breakdowns as most of the songs from the album. In most of the best Emmure songs, Frankie Palmeri delivers some rip-roaring growling vocals. However, “Children of Cybertron” blend some clean vocals and Frankie’s usual growling vocals.
#7- Nemesis
“Nemesis” is one of the concert staples by the deathcore act Emmure. The song is featured on the band’s 2014 LP, Eternal Enemies. “Nemesis” serves as the second track on the album. However, the song was issued as the debut single from the album. The song’s title has some resemblance to its meaning. “Nemesis” finds Frankie and his fellow Emmure reproving critics of the band, in this case, the band’s nemesis. The song is among the most loved hits by the band’s fans, especially those in awe of Frankie Palmeri’s vocals.
#6- Smokey
Number six on our top 10 Emmure songs is the stunning hit “Smokey.” The song was penned by Frankie Palmeri and Joshua Travis. “Smokey” is among the greatest hits from the band’s 2017 LP, Look At Yourself. The song alludes to a person who lives off a repetitive lifestyle. Vocalist Frankie revealed that the song uses a dog as a metaphor to show how someone wakes up to a similar routine daily.
#5- I Thought You Met Telly and Turned Me into Casper
In 2009, Emmure released its third studio album, Felony. Felony was the band’s first album to rise above the top 100 on the Billboard 200 chart. This was highly influenced by a song like “I Thought You Met Telly and Turned Me into Casper.” The song was penned by the band’s vocalist Frankie Palmeri. “I Thought You Met Telly and Turned Me into Casper” had its title inspired by the 1995 film, Kids.
#4- Flag of the Beast
“Flag of the Beast” is yet another brilliant hit by Emmure from the band’s 2017 LP, Look At Yourself. The song was penned by Frankie Palmeri and Joshua Travis. According to Frankie, “Flag of the Beast” is an emblem of the notion that he is some type of devil in the eyes of some of his critics. “Flag of the Beast” is one of the most personal songs for Frankie, having it show how he views people who have exited his life, especially after signaling that he is not on the right path. Despite the lineup changes, the band retains its great musicianship, with its sound feeling almost unchanged.
#3- A Gift a Curse
Our third pick for the ten best Emmure songs of all time is the hit “A Gift a Curse.” The song is featured on the band’s 2014 LP, Eternal Enemies. Its lyrics are credited to the band’s vocalist Frankie Palmeri. The song’s aesthetic music video tags along with a symbol of the destruction of one’s past, a move that enables rejuvenation of oneself.
#2- MDMA
“MDMA” is yet another hit by Emmure that proves the band’s love for breakdowns in their songs. The song goes even a notch higher by bringing on some melodic mid-range riffs that have not been evidenced in most of the band’s songs. The song is featured on the band’s 2012 LP, Slave to the Game. “MDMA” remains a favorite hit for the lovers of hook-laden heavy metal/metalcore songs.
#1- Solar Flare Homicide
Number one of pour ten best Emmure songs is the alluring hit “Solar Flare Homicide.” The song is featured on the band’s 2011 LP, Speaker of the Dead. “Solar Flare Homicide” has its lyrics allude to the aftermath of solar winds striking the earth and destroying the whole world’s electronic devices. As a result, the world falls to complete anarchy in darkness and no communication. “Solar Flare Homicide” finds Frankie delivering deep vocals that help the song attain an even heavier sound.
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