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MAD 4 IT
A blog for music junkies
Rip Up the Pit
Written by Mad 4 It
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I have been getting a bunch of requests to make a hardcore playlist and share some of my favorite hardcore bands. I am super excited for this post, and am excited for you all to read it, but this is a new genre for me that I am still very actively exploring.
I have barely scratched the surface of this genre, so this playlist is essentially a sneak peek into what I am currently listening to at the moment in the hardcore scene. My hope is to revisit and revamp this post later on once I have a wider variety of artists to share with all of you!
Until then, here is my current Rip Up The Pit playlist! Send me your favorite hardcore bands at https://www.instagram.com/maddisenv/.
Suggested tracks: Drop, Gravity, I Don’t Wanna Be Blind, Generator
Starting off this playlist is the band Turnstile. Turnstile has already made a few of my previous lists, so I won’t go into too much depth on them here, but in short, they are incredible. I can not say enough good things about them. Musically they are so revolutionary and unbelievably talented. I’ve been told that seeing them live is an out of body experience, and that their shows are unlike any other. If you’re a Rage Against the Machine fan, check out Turnstile, especially the album Nonstop Feeling, they have a really similar sound, but Turnstile is more modern and much heavier than Rage.
Turnstile are #1 on my list of bands to see live right now.
Check out my Albums of the Year post for a full description of their newest album, Time and Space
Suggested tracks: End Eternal and Doomtech
Vein have also made some of my other lists, and are another incredibly talented band. My favorite part about Vein is their drummer. The drums in this band are surreal…so FUCKING good. Vein has some of the. best. breakdowns, ever. If I could describe Vein in one word it would be intense. Their album Errorzone made my albums of the year list for 2018, and I can only imagine how they will step up for their next album. Go check them out.
Check out my Albums of the Year post for a description of their newest album, Errorzone!
Suggested tracks: Ready 2 Receive U, Bang My Drum, Rage, and Big Ass Love
Angel Du$t are such a unique group. This is a band where I feel like each album is just so incredibly different, but each one is so freaking good. Their upcoming album Pretty Buff is much lighter than their previous catalog, and has kind of a “ska” vibe to it, which is incredibly funky and badass in the best way. Pretty Buff is the album I am most looking forward to at the current moment.
Suggested tracks: Deadringer, Blood Will Have Blood, All My Friends
When I think of the hardcore genre, Knocked Loose is the first band that pops in my head. They are like the epitome of hardcore, almost like the face of the genre, if you will. This was the first hardcore band that I really listened to, and my love for this genre has grown so much since then, and will only continue to grow. Knocked Loose is THE band to listen to. Their style, sound, and vibe is incomparable. I can’t even pick which album of theirs is my favorite, so the only thing I can say is go listen for yourself!
Suggested tracks: Wool and Jacaranda
Modern Color has also been mentioned previously. They are a lot more melodic in sound compared to the other bands on this playlist, but they are just as incredible. They are definitely not as heavy as the other bands on this list, but I love that about them. Their sound flows together so well and has a perfect balance of all of the elements of the band. Personally, I think they are so mature in their sound and have already figured out exactly what kind of musicians they are, which I think will lead them to great success. I can’t wait to see this band grow and watch them gain the recognition they deserve.
Check out my Up-and-Coming Artists post to read more about Modern Color!
Suggested tracks: One Last Prayer, New Forms, and Eternal War
Forced Order is back on the heavy side of the genre. I love the heavy guitars in this band, and their drummer is also incredible. Their sound is really in balance with each other and flows really well. They have such a great vibe to their sound. I like that their vibe is more deep and grunge-y than some of the other artists on this list.
Suggested tracks: No Servant of Mine, You’re Not You Anymore, Compass, and The Disconnect
Counterparts is another iconic band in this genre. They have really awesome guitar parts, which really stand out against the rest of the sound. I really like the mix of the heavy vocals with the distinctive guitar pieces. Counterparts are such an interesting band with a very unique sound, I think. They are on this list for a reason, they are incredible to listen to, and I don’t think they have a bad song. Check them out!
Suggested tracks: No Relief, Pleased to Meet You, and Do It
Trapped Under Ice are a good balance if you’re looking for a middle man in this genre. They do have some of the heavy instrumentation and some heavy vocals here and there, but they also are still extremely melodic in sound. This is a great band to start with if you’re just getting into the hardcore scene because they have a little bit of everything in their sound and have a really fantastic vibe!
Suggested tracks: all of them?
I love love love Touche Amore. They have a very “pretty” sound…if you can even call a hardcore band pretty. If I could pinpoint my favorite element of this band, I would say they have a similar sound and emotion to pop punk, which is my favorite genre. The deep emotion is definitely there, as well as the angst and the sadness. They’re very beautifully artistic, and profoundly creative.
Suggested tracks: Self Help Specialist Ends Own Life and Stop Calling Us Screamo
SeeYouSpaceCowboy is a band I have recently discovered, but are remarkable. First of all, I’d like to point out that they have some of the best song titles of all time, I freaking love the long and sarcastic titles, which correlate so well with their personality as a band. Secondly, they have a very distinct sound, which almost sounds like they should be in a thriller movie or a horror film. It’s very edgy and upbeat, and borderline melodramatic. They are probably one of the most unique groups I have found so far.
Suggested tracks: Street Prowl, No Clue, and The Wrong Way
Rotting Out are another really upbeat, really heavy instrumentation style band. Their style is also a lot more simplistic, which I really admire. They don’t overdo the instruments or the vocals in their sound, and they have a great balance and a great overall cohesion as a band.
Suggested tracks: Social Crusade, Karma’s Knife, and Stronger Than Thou
Judiciary is another band that I recently discovered who are also full of heavy instrumentation and vocals. What I love about the vocals in this band is that they are super heavy, solemn, and developed.
Suggested tracks: Thin Line, Damage is Done, Reality Check
Fury has a really punk kind of vibe to them. They sound like a mix of punk and hardcore. Super fucking dope! They don’t have the really heavy screaming type of vocals, but more of a strong and solid style. But, they keep the great instrumentation that hardcore is known for, which creates a truly bold vibe.
Suggested tracks: Bleeding In the Blur, The Hunt, My World
Code Orange is another band where they tend to mix and match their sound. They have a great blend of tracks that showcase a lot of different elements. They do have the heavy vocals, but they also have some more relaxed and melodic songs too. Their instrumentation is both strong and heavy and simple and reserved, giving a great balance to their albums.
Suggested tracks:
If you’re looking for high intensity, Candy is the band for you. Super fast-paced, extraordinary instrumentation throughout their tracks, and fantastic vocals. Candy is definitely one of the best hardcore bands out there, in my opinion. This is another band where it is extremely hard for me to pick favorite songs, so go check them out and find your favorites.
Suggested tracks: No Roses, No skies, Bostons, Watch Me Rise
Have Heart is a highly popular band in the hardcore scene and people were extremely excited to see them announce their reunion on the line up for Sound and Fury, a hardcore music festival in Downtown Los Angeles. Twitter is blowing up with excitement for this festival, which made me really excited to share them on this playlist. They’re amazing. If you don’t believe me, first check out these tweets from fellow hardcore fans, then check out Have Heart on Spotify.
“Have Heart is the most important hardcore band of the last 20 years…”
@sTRENGTHOFFATES
“How the fuck did Have Heart sell out in 15 seconds”
philxwalls
If a band sells out a show in 15 seconds…I’d say they’re pretty fucking incredible.
Click here to get tickets to Sound and Fury , oh wait, it sold out….but hey at least you can look at the dope lineup.
And, that’s it! That concludes the list (for now). I can’t wait to continue finding and adding new music to this playlist. I hope this playlist makes you want to RIP UP THE PIT. If not, send me your favorite hardcore artists at my Instagram! And, check out the full playlist below!
xx
Maddisen V.