When it comes to hardcore, by far my favorite style is the ugly sonic beast that’s based on downtuned riffs, heavy breakdowns, and tough-guy posturing known as M0$HCORE. The style has been around since the mid 90s but came to prominence in the early to mid 2000s with the popularity and success of bands like Throwdown and the almighty Hatebreed. Jamey Jasta who used to host MTV2’s Headbanger’s Ball helped promote the sound and style on a nationwide scale. It had (relatively) good production and for better or for worse, had cross over with the M*tal crowd which led to what I presume were many brawls in the pits between push moshers and HXC dancers. It became synonymous with violent moshing and imagery that included brass knuckles and military gear. Many HXC purists/elitists hate the style for it’s m*tal influences and jock image but frankly that’s why I love it and those are people whose negativity I don’t need in my life. This may be an unpopular opinion to some but personally I haven’t been too crazy about the more punk influenced hardcore that’s been the big thing with Kids These Days™ so I welcome the return of this style whole heartedly. Not that I have anything against bands like Expire or Turnstile, I mean they’re out living their dreams of seeing the world, rocking shows and probably hooking up with 5/10 Tumblr THOTS with chola eyebrows that wear beanies so props to them. However I just can’t get into them.

The only HXC aesthetic that matters. I def prefer this to people dressing like they’re on Fresh Prince

January isn’t even over yet and already the return of Bury Your Dead and new album announcements from Walls Of Jericho, First Blood, and Hatebreed have me super stoked. However it’s not just the classics that have me stoked, it’s the new crop of bands that have been emerging that have been keeping the sound alive as was touched upon in the 2016 State Of The Scene Address. As heavy music fans I feel it’s our duty to support the new acts.

KUBLAI KHAN

Probably the biggest newer band playing the style and for good reason too. Their new album New Strength is a complete 10/10 jam. Completely unrelenting but insanely catchy at the same time. This is the most fun you’ll ever have with the audio equivalent of getting your faced smashed in. They have definitely stepped it up in terms of songwriting from their debut album released in 2014. To add even more extra M0$H goodness, the album has guest appearances from Matt Bruso and the great Vincent Bennett. Expect these guys to blow up throughout the year.

LIONHEART

Lionheart have been around for 10+ years and may be well known to some hardcore fans but I feel they’re worthy of recognition on here. I recommend these guys if you love Hatebreed and wish they didn’t play shows like this or this. They’re local to the Northern California scene so I have a huge spot in my heart for them. Aside from releasing quality jamz throughout the years, they are all super humble chill dudes who are highly appreciative of all their fans so that’s a big plus in my book. The above track is from their upcoming album and has an epic mosh call of “QUIT SWINGIN FROM MY NUTS!” @ around 1:45. Sadly a bunch of weenies complained about their lyrics and they released a great response. If you feel the need to tell the world to fuck off, make this your anthem.

VARIALS

These guys were already mentioned in The State of the Scene Address so I won’t talk about them too much but they are definitely worth your time. To me they sound like Kublai Khan with Despised Icon-esque slam riffs. Also worth mentioning is that this is probably some of the gnarliest mosh footage, including a naked dude pitting. If that doesn’t get your respect, than idk what will.

2X4

These guys also incorporate some downtempo/sludgewave influences which gives their music a darker and more evil aura then some of their contemporaries. Also I love the drum production and the random guitar solo that sounds like Pantera @ 2:18 was an unexpected twist. Smart move on their part because I can totally picture some WALK ON HOME BOIY GETCHER PULL \m/ type bros digging this.

KNOCKED LOOSE

I’m pretty stoked on these guys because they remind me a lot of American Me sound wise. They seem to have a REAL™ Hardcore vibe/aesthetic going on which I could picture a lot of kids digging. All their music is self-released and the video is pretty DIY. Almost like a Jackass type video the edgy skater kids in your class would have made in 2002.

LEFT BEHIND

These guys have very strong Slipknot/Nu M*tal influences which they incorporate into the M0$HCORE sound. Not surprising that their name is shared with my personal favorite Slipknot track. Unlike a good chunk of the Nu M*tal revival bands, these guys aren’t completely cringey and manage to do the whole “I’m so krazy, I might snap!” trope pretty well. For that reason alone I hope these guys gain some solid traction this year because that riff is fucking catchy! This track makes me want to put my hair in some coolio braids, strap on some ADIDAS shell-toed shoes , and go pogo behind the 7-11 with my mallrat buddies.

LGND

Last but certainly not least is the return of Legend, now abbreviated to LGND for reasons unbeknownst to me. The band was formed by For The Fallen Dreams vocalist Chad Ruhlig after he left the band in 2008 or 2009. They released a couple of super solid albums and toured for a bit throughout 2010-11. Ruhlig would go onto rejoin For The Fallen Dreams in 2013 but promised that Legend would carry on as well. Further excitement for Legend’s return increased when legendary M0$H riff king Daniel “DL” Laskiewicz of The Acacia Strain fame joined their ranks. They finally released their album in October or November last year. The album definitely brings the heavy and has a couple of unexpected turns with Killswitch Engage type clean vocals on a few songs. I’m not really sure if the band will tour much this year due to Ruhlig’s commitments to FTFD and DL being a family man but if they do hit the road go see them!

What are your favorite OG M0$HCORE bands? Are you going to start wearing military caps? Are there any up and coming M0$HCORE bands that you’re stoked on? Are you going to get some brass knuckle tattoos? Do you miss Headbanger’s Ball?