Crabcore

Crabcore is an Internet meme that originated in 2009, mocking metalcore guitarists who squat low with their legs spread in a "crab-like" stance while performing. It has been mimicked by a variety of musical groups leading many magazines and agencies, such as Rolling Stone, Houston Press, and NPR to classify it as a jocular musical style or microgenre.

Music associated with "crabcore" and the use of the term itself has been met with criticism. On July 13, 2009, former Attack Attack! vocalist Nick Barham was asked about crabcore in an interview with Hardtimes, and said that the band has embraced the meme as a publicity stunt. In a 2010 interview with Village Voice Media the band reiterated "people call us crabcore ... we just roll with it, it's funny." Attack Attack!'s self-titled second album peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard 200, prompting Metal Insider reporter Zach Shaw to write "Crabcore reached this high on the charts? Indeed a sad day."

In 2011 the animated sitcom South Park episode "You're Getting Old" aired, parodying "tween wave" music, possibly referring to "crabcore". In 2016 Abandon All Ships' bassist Martin Broda tweeted "#defendcrabcore" just prior to the release of their single "Loafting". Members of the extreme metal band Allegaeon often perform dressed in crab costumes and imitate the typical stance. Many other bands have been referred to as "crabcore" for featuring a similar stance or musical style, including Asking Alexandria and This Romantic Tragedy. Crabcore has sometimes been associated with electronicore characteristics, auto-tuned vocals, and excessive breakdowns "one after the other".