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So what is actually happening in hardcore right now? Who are the big bands? I've always had one foot in the door of the hardcore scene and the other in the door of the punk scene. Favorite bands of the last 10 years were Culo, hank wood and the hammerheads, raw nerve, cult ritual. As a teenager i liked the more straightforward hardcore like american nightmare, champion, modern life is war, carry on.
Anyone got recs of new bands to check out?
It's poppin off. Seems like the wave of people wanting to see live music in a post covid world is still at a high. I live in a C-market city and even our most mid shows are seeing numbers not seen in the 22 years i've been going to shows here.
As far as bands, the ones you listed are the style i align with most (damn i miss playing shows with Raw Nerve). I feel like its harder for me to find bands i like right now. I tend to lean to the straight forward hardcore ala Painkiller Records type bands. The 90's influence going on right now has to be the single worst thing thats come back around in Hardcore. Teenagers acting like anyone ever gave a fuck about a dollar bin Current 7" then or now.
As far as things to check out, my best of list for the year includes: The Flex, Skinhead, Warthog, Peace Test, Ammo, Brain Tourniquet, Dead Last, Yambag, Terror, Churchgoers, Raw Breed, Candy Apple, High Vis, Inclination, ICU.
Yet, no one this year topped The Chisel LP from last year tho.
I recognise a bunch from your list like warthog, the flex, and terror obviously.
Dead last are fucking sick. I'd love to hear other new bands doing this style of straightforward 00s hardcore.
Peace test, Brain tourniquet are a bit too powerviolence-ish for my tastes.
Ammo, Yambag, Skinhead were sick. In like 2015 I was of the opinion that the modern hardcore weirdo punk sound was definitely being played out but it's cool some bands are still bringing a fresh sound to the genre.
Churchgoers, Raw breed, Candy Apple didn't really do it for me.
I appreciate what Inclination are doing, like a modern Earth Crisis, and I would have loved it at a certain point in my younger years. I can tell they would be sick live. I might come back to them again soon because they are actually very sick, but right now they are definitely a band that i would have to be in the right mood for.
I really like High Vis but i couldn't find anything from them that sounded hardcore. Regardless they are great and actually one my favorites from your list
I couldn't find a hardcore band named ICU.
Appreciate the recommendations a lot. Some great bands in there. I gotta try see some of these bands live, it's been a long time since i've been to a hc/punk show.