The breakdown in metalcore and certain metal genres, originally referred to as a "down beat", is where a band will usually play in half time, giving the feeling of a slower tempo. It is considered to some an important element in many songs of these genres and central to many bands, quite a few of which eschew traditional verse-chorus-verse songwriting. When played live, breakdowns are usually responded to by the audience by hardcore dancing or moshing. Vocalists also tend to throw in a single, repeated statement throughout the breakdown, giving those who are not dancing or moshing an opportunity to sing along. Many metalcore and metal bands rely on having memorable breakdowns rather than memorable choruses and critics often accuse bands of placing too many breakdowns in one song, claiming the intensity of the breakdown is lost when it is overused.

The drums are usually simple with several cymbals and snare on the third beat. The cymbals are usually a china or fast crash with fourths or more common, eighths. In metalcore, the guitars play a set of rhythmically oriented riffs, usually on open strings so as to achieve the lowest sound for which the guitars are tuned. Sometimes, these are contrasted with either dissonant chords or pinch harmonics. These riffs are often accented by the drummer with double kick bass drums that follow the pattern of the guitars.

In hardcore punk, breakdowns tend to be more upbeat, using the floor toms and snares to create a faster, 'rolling' rhythm. This provides audience members with an opportunity to skank, mosh or circle pit.