So, for quite a long time, I've liked Hardcore. I don't want to genre-wank about what is and isn't hardcore, that isn't the point of this post. But for the sakes of keeping everyone on the same level, hardcore evolved from punk to be even more loud and offensive than it's pregenitor.

The point is, Hardcore sounds quite...abrasive. To many it just sounds like noise, and I can sympathize with them to an extent. A good example of hardcore is this song by a band called Architects. If you can ignore the rather odd video and just listen to the song, so much the better. (WARNING, NSFW, CONTAINS LOUD SCREAMING AND SOME FAIRLY LIBERAL USE OF EXPLETIVES)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgZWEAhj3Uo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Now I'm guessing a fair number of you listening to that will be thinking something along the lines of a request as to what illicit substances I have inhibed, but the fact is that I have and will buy and download CDs full of that kind of stuff, go and see shows performed by similar artists, et al, along with thousands of other people the world over.

The issue is, I don't know why.

Whenever I listen to this kind of stuff, there's still a bit of my brain saying 'WHAT, IN GOD'S NAME, IS THIS '. It sounds like something produced by a pack of frenzied wolves setting upon a guitar shop and it's unfortunate owner. Surely, we'd have to be mad to like that stuff wouldn't we?

In the case of Early Grave, that song I linked earlier, I feel the need to point out that it is incredibly musically complex, alternating irregular (it starts in 7/4 for any of the musically inclined out there) time signatures, polyrhythms etc etc - just because it sounds like they're assaulting their instruments doesn't mean it's the case.

But back to the point at hand. And I'll extend it to other genres like Extreme Metal (you know, the stuff that you heard the news reports about it making a satanist of you as a child) and the kind of modern orchestral works that sound like all players just decided to do their own thing and record it. What drives people to listen to this kind of music? Why do we do it?

As I say this, a cynical part of me says that it's simply trying to not be 'mainstream' and this is my way of showing it but I'd like to think I'm not as shallow as that. But what do you think?

P.S, first post, please don't be too harsh.

Dude, I'm a big fan of metal!

There's some great bands in the genre fo sho. I'll post some of my favorites.

Becoming The Archetype, "The Magnetic Sky"
http://youtu.be/nF9MxRUM9xM

As I Lay Dying, "Nothing Left" (Part 1 of video storyline)
http://youtu.be/M-PW2Vm3emw

As I Lay Dying, "The Sound Of Truth" (Part 2)
http://youtu.be/M-PW2Vm3emw

August Burns Red, "Meddler"
http://youtu.be/M-PW2Vm3emw

The Devil Wears Prada, "Assistant To The Regional Manager"
http://youtu.be/M-PW2Vm3emw

Thanks for sharing Architects!

- Sam

Big fan of As I Lay Dying and August Burns Red

You heard of the Soulless? If you like August Burns Red you'll probably like them

I'm a huge Cradle of Filth fan.

One Foul Step From the Abyss

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc5gW2GOCYE


A lot of what started the Hardcore scene was people being pissed off. Bands like Negative Approach came up in a really shitty, really tough time and place. Detroit in the 70s/80s was a rough place. Crime was through the roof, and people couldn't find work. Politically things were tense with the Soviets, and we were only a couple years out of Viet Nam. A lot of that fear and rage came out through hardcore.


The stuff you guys linked to isn't what I consider hardcore, so I'm not sure what to say about it. I just know what started hardcore and comment on that.

Interesting, it does make sense. (Unsurprisingly) I tend to be interested in the UK hardcore "scene", a lot of which sounds a lot like Architects. A ridiculous number of these bands are from Sheffield, which I lived near for a long time, and it very much relied on it's steel industry (hence the nickname Steel City). Most of the foundries have gone now so in that kind of rough place with a lot of unemployment people might turn to hardcore to express themselves.

Although that doesn't explain why I personally listen to it.

Also I realise the thread has quickly slid into metal territory - I don't think most of the videos here are hardcore either.

Going to go ahead and offer a punk-er side of modern hardcore.





From my formative teenage years.






Of course, never forget those that came before.