Many hardcore artists are also stepping out of the typical sonic lanes of the genre in compelling ways. Look at the diversification of concert lineups that are exposing new music fans to a wide variety of sounds, which has been executed brilliantly by groups such as Code Orange touring with hip-hop duo $uicideboy$ or Harm’s Way playing shows with Ghostemane. Knocked Loose frontman Bryan Garris even joined SoundCloud rapper Ski Mask The Slump God onstage in a welcome convergence of subcultures last year.  

Read more: 20 bands that shaped hardcore’s evolution, from Bad Brains to Soul Glo

The state of hardcore has never been more exciting, welcoming in bands with diverse perspectives ranging from prominent women-led acts, youth-minded collectives and those in POC and LGBTQIA+ communities. From Drain to Scowl, these are the 15 best new hardcore bands today. 

God’s Hate

God’s Hate have a slogan that they like to live by: “Be Harder.” The band certainly live up to that with their music and live performances. Fronted by All Elite Wrestling star Brody King, along with members of Twitching Tongues and Terror, God’s Hate deliver a brutal and testosterone-fueled blend of hardcore that makes their shows feel like a musical warzone. Their set at last year’s Sound and Fury Festival proved to be a defining moment for the band, where they adorned ski masks and unleashed a nuclear assault of breakdowns, leading to a sea of stage divers and even moments where fireworks were set off illegally among the crowd. The band also use their platform to represent their hometown in the San Fernando Valley and have a solid straight-edge message that seems to resonate strongly within the community. 818 hardcore represent! 

Drain 

Santa Cruz, California’s Drain could very well be heading in the same career trajectory as Turnstile. For one, Drain play a familiar blend of classic ‘90s hardcore and thrash but add a playful, modern twist that makes their sound accessible to those who aren’t well versed in the genre. Additionally, the band beam with positivity and charisma due in large part to vocalist Sammy Ciaramitaro, who can shriek his head off like a banshee in the vein of Pantera while keeping a smile on his face. Ciaramitaro pens upbeat, sunny anthems that reflect the band’s laid-back California roots, which shows they can be brutal and have some fun, too. Drain have had a relatively fast rise to the top of the hardcore scene, and as of recently, they seem to be hitting milestones at every corner. From headling major festivals such as the Sound and Fury and Outbreak Festivals to signing with the legendary punk label Epitaph Records for their highly anticipated new album, 2023 is shaping up to be the year where Drain experience major crossover success.

No Pressure 

Fronted by the Story So Far’s Parker Cannon, along with members of Regulate and Light Years, No Pressure are hardcore’s most exciting pop-punk crossover act in recent years. Their debut self-titled LP dropped last June and quickly won the hearts of the hardcore community. It even scored the band a co-sign from blink-182’s Mark Hoppus, who cited the record as one of his favorite new releases. No Pressure don’t employ aggressive or pummeling breakdowns but instead adopt the spirit of hardcore, paying homage to melody-driven groups such as Lifetime, Kid Dynamite, New Found Glory and, of course, blink-182. For Cannon, No Pressure allows him the opportunity to return to the DIY spaces and intimate venues that he played during the Story So Far’s early days.

Dying Wish 

Dying Wish are a breath of fresh air when it comes to fusing melodic hardcore and thrash metal. While their sound pays homage to classic mid-2000s metalcore acts (Darkest Hour, Misery Signals), Dying Wish have propelled this classic sound into the future with socially conscious lyrics, technical musicality and modern production. Vocalist Emma Boster has proven to be a dynamic frontwoman in every sense, producing everything from chills-inducing screams to empowering, anthemic clean vocals that add a high level of depth to their music. Dying Wish’s 2021 debut album, Fragments of a Bitter Memory, has elevated the band to become one of hardcore’s most exciting new acts.

Life’s Question 

If you like ‘90s New York hardcore and Zakk Wylde-esque guitar solos, then Life’s Question are most certainly the band for you. On their 2022 debut album, World Full Of…, Life’s Question have dialed up their guitar solos to 11 and held nothing back lyrically, with tales of self-depreciation and a healthy dose of nihilism. Vocalist Josh Haynes sounds like a more pissed-off version of Trapped Under Ice’s Justice Tripp, which is juxtaposed brilliantly by co-vocalist and guitarist Abby Rhine, who provides clean vocals that border on hyperpop. Standout tracks include “Mellow My Mind” and “For You.”

One Step Closer 

For a band whose members are all barely in their early 20s, One Step Closer have shown a great deal of maturity throughout their relatively short career. On their debut album, This Place You Know, One Step Closer offer an introspective and nostalgia-laced blend of hardcore that reflect coming-of-age moments and homesickness. Their music contains a stunning degree of melody and atmospherics, which has allowed the group to cross over into other communities. In turn, they’ve shared the stage with major pop-punk acts such as Movements and Knuckle Puck. The straight-edge group also recently dropped a surprise EP, Songs for the Willow, that shows why they’re leaders of the new generation of hardcore.

Anxious

On their 2022 debut album, Little Green House, Anxious knocked it out of the water with songs filled with youthful energy, melody, aggression and a staggering sense of pop sensibility. The Connecticut-based hardcore group made a record that could allow them to headline the top hardcore festivals while seamlessly fitting in the pop-punk, emo and indie-rock space as well. The duel vocals between frontman Grady Allen and guitarist Dante Melucci are the perfect combination and hark back to classic dynamics fans know and love (think Taking Back Sunday and Transit). Little Green House is a snapshot of a band coming of age and trying new things, including the incorporation of doo-wop in the hardcore space. 

Mindforce 

Mindforce sound as energized as ever with their sophomore album, New Lords. Produced by the hardcore scene’s version of Rick Rubin, Taylor Young, Mindforce have mastered their sound, which feels like a hybrid between classic Snapcase vocals and ‘80s thrash in the vein of Slayer or Metallica. Vocalist Jay Petagine is an inimitable frontman who possesses a captivating sense of positivity through his lyrics and a playful stage presence. He’s also unapologetically New York, living and breathing the spirit of hardcore to the max.

Koyo

Long Island hardcore emo-revivalists Koyo are the perfect throwback to the classic VFW hall days of the early 2000s Long Island scene. The band sound like the sonic union of the Movielife and Silent Majority, but with their own modern twist. Koyo’s exceptional 2021 EP, Drives Out East, became an unexpected hit within the genre and scored them major support slots with prominent acts such as Knocked Loose and Silverstein, as well as a record deal with Pure Noise. Koyo’s highly anticipated debut LP is set to drop this year and will surely cement them as one of the next great exports of the Long Island scene.

Speed

Hailing from Sydney, Australia, Speed are pure fun when it comes to hardcore. Their music, while brutal and fast-paced, comes with an uplifting dose of motivational lyrics and razor-sharp vocals that contain elements of hip-hop, which makes their sound instantly recognizable. Their 2022 EP, Gang Called Speed, has been a breakthrough release for the band and shows incredible promise for when they release a proper album. Standout tracks include “Big Bite” and “Not That Nice.”

Ingrown 

When you think of cities that have always had legendary hardcore scenes, the first ones that typically come to mind are Boston, New York and Los Angeles, not Boise, Idaho. However, Ingrown are about to put the state of Idaho on the map once and for all. Ingrown bring the term power trio to the next level with visceral compositions that fuse everything from classic beatdown hardcore to powerviolence and death metal. Their exceptional debut album, Gun, is sonically unrelenting, and their recent live shows have been nothing short of terrifying — in the best way, of course.

Sunami 

San Jose, California’s Sunami have made a name for themselves with brutally honest lyrics, aggressive tendencies and street-ready anthems. With just a few singles and an EP under their belt, Sunami have already become one of the most sought-after groups in hardcore, scoring the top slots at hardcore festivals across the country and releasing some of the coolest merch in the scene today. We’re eagerly awaiting to see what Sunami bring forth with their inevitable debut LP. 

Scowl

It has become impossible to ignore the meteoric rise of Santa, Cruz California’s Scowl. It has been a whirlwind year since the release of the band’s debut album, How Flowers Grow, which has led the group to share the stage with everyone from Stick To Your Guns and the Bronx to Limp Bizkit. Scowl can seamlessly transition from sunny punk anthems into venemous, double-time and circle pit-ready blasts of classic hardcore. Frontwoman Kat Moss is a versatile and unique voice for hardcore with a commanding stage presence that is sure to win over even the most fickle gatekeepers of the scene.

Militarie Gun 

If you were to place a bet on who will be one of 2023’s next big hardcore acts, Militarie Gun would certainly be in the running. Their music feels like an amalgamation of everything from IDLES, Fugazi, Ceremony and Pixies, all through their own unique lens. Fronted by multi-instrumentalist and hardcore video director du jour Ian Shelton, Militarie Gun have some of the wittiest and most abstract lyrics the genre has witnessed this decade, with experimental guitar parts courtesy of Drug Church guitarist Nick Cogan. Look no further than their 2022 EP, All Roads Lead to the Gun.

Zulu

Zulu are hands down one of the most important new bands in hardcore. With lyrics that chronicle injustice, disenfranchisement, racism and police brutality, their music holds an incredible sense of weight. Sonically, the band are a mixture of beat-down hardcore mixed with powerviolence, showcased boldly on their breakthrough EPs Our Day Will Come and My People…Hold On. Zulu’s debut album, A New Tomorrow, is due out in March, and they have already teased that it will be their most ambitious work yet.

Dominic Fike to embark on 2022 North American Out Of Order tour 

2022 was certainly a massive year for singer-songwriter and now TV star Dominic Fike, between starring on HBO’s Euphoria and performing at several notable festivals this past summer. As the year comes to a close, Fike will take his victory lap with the 24-date North American Out Of Order tour. The shows kick off on Nov. 6 in Seattle, Washington and will continue throughout major cities across the US and Canada before wrapping up in Tempe, Arizona Dec. 16. Get tickets here. 

Death Cab for Cutie expand tour into 2023 with US and European dates 

Death Cab for Cutie have recently released their 10th studio album Asphalt Meadows, and in celebration of this milestone, they are hitting the road harder than ever. Following their previously announced fall headlining tour this year, Death Cab are now expanding their tour dates significantly into 2023 with dates across the southern US during January and February, as well as several major EU/UK cities in March 2023. Slow Pulp will support the band for all of the EU/UK dates alongside rising indie-rock group Momma opening the US dates. Tickets go on sale this Friday here. 

Counterparts are throwing a eulogy across North America this fall 

Canadian progressive-hardcore juggernauts Counterparts will embark on the North American Eulogy tour this fall in celebration of their forthcoming release A Eulogy For Those Still Here due Oct. 7. Joining the band are screamo revivalists SeeYouSpaceCowboy and the emerging metallic-hardcore group Dying Wish. Fans can expect to see new material performed live for the first time as well as fan favorites from Counterpart’s extensive catalog – and of course, the borderline stand-up comedy stage banter from vocalist Brendan Murphy. Get tickets here. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CixscrTOExp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Read more: Limp Bizkit announce ‘STILL SUCKS’ tour dates for 2022

The band were originally supposed to tour in support of the album last year, but were forced to cancel due to COVID-19 related concerns.

During the concert, Limp Bizkit premiered songs including “Dirty Rotten Bizkit,” “Out Of Style” and “Dad Vibes,” which had previously only ever been played live at Lollapalooza.

In addition, Fred Durst unveiled a new look. He went with a slightly longer, much blonder wig for the performance. However, he did keep the same mustache-and-aviator-sunglasses combo he’s been rocking for a while now.

Limp Bizkit will kick off their STILL SUCKS tour in April, continuing to tour through May. They will be supported by Scowl, WARGASM, $not, Dying Wish and Yung Gravy on select dates.

Check out a full list of tour dates, and watch Limp BizKit’s full, hour-long performance, below.

Limp Bizkit STILL SUCKS tour dates

The tour is in support of the band’s latest album, the 2021 release STILL SUCKS. 

Read more: 20 nü-metal bands that defined the late ’90s and early 2000s

Limp Bizkit was originally planning on touring for the album last year, but they were forced to bow out due to COVID-19 related concerns.

The AEG Presents trek kicks off in the band’s home state of Florida April 28, hitting venues across the United States (including Madison Square Garden in New York City May 13) before concluding in California on May 18.

To announce the tour, Limp Bizkit shared a playful video. You can watch it below.

Tickets for the tour go on sale March 18 at 10 a.m. local time here. Check out a full list of dates below.

Limp Bizkit Still Sucks tour dates

Read more: Static Dress unveil claustrophobic new visual for “Di-sinTer”—watch

The band spoke about their journey to releasing the scathing new track in a press release.

“‘Dimorphous Display,’ in its first iteration, had been in the vault for a good few years before we decided to start work on the song together as a band,” they say. “So finally being able to release it into the world feels like a great accomplishment. The initial demo was filed soon after we had finished up with I Let It In And It Took Everything, but with lockdowns occurring across the world, this gave us the opportunity to experiment with different collaborators, and thus final tracking was completed some time in the middle of 2021 at Giant Wafer Studios. We worked alongside our new friend Eddie Al-Shakarchi on capturing the rawest incarnation of the Loathe sound to date, and we are very happy with the result.”

Check out “Dimorphous Display” below.

Loathe will set out on a North American tour with Code Orange, Vended and Dying Wish beginning in April. Check out the full list of dates below, and grab tickets here.

Loathe tour dates

04/03 – Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
04/04 – Chicago, IL @ The Metro
04/05 – Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
04/06 – Denver, CO @ Summit Theater
04/07 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Soundwell
04/09 – Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre
04/10 – Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
04/11 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
04/12 – Sacramento, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post
04/13 – San Francisco, CA @ August Hall
04/18 – Mesa, AZ @ The Nile
04/20 – Pomona, CA @ The Glass House
04/23 – Las Vegas, NV @ 24 Oxford
04/25 – Austin, TX @ Empire Control Room and Garage
04/26 – Fort Worth, TX @ Tulips
04/27 – Houston, TX @ The Secret Group
04/29 – Jacksonville, FL @ Underbelly
04/30 – Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum
05/02 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Heaven)
05/03 – Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Sound Stage
05/04 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
05/06 – Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw
05/07 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club

This year, Every Time I Die’s ‘Tid The Season made its return in the band’s hometown of Buffalo, New York. The annual holiday shows featured a number of bands, including Spiritbox and Knocked Loose.

In a surprise appearance, Spiritbox’s Courtney LaPlante joined Knocked Loose on stage for a powerful performance of the band’s “A Serpent’s Touch.” The result was electrifying.

Read more: Spiritbox, KennyHoopla, DED and more share Spotify wrapped results

Every Time I Die announced the lineup earlier in the year: two days of headline sets, including performances from some of the most powerful bands today. The lineup hosted groups such as Circa Survive, Poison The Well, Ice–T and the Bronx.

Spiritbox and Knocked Loose were also on the bill. To fans’ surprise, LaPlante came out onstage to join the band in a head-banging performance of “A Serpent’s Touch.” 

In their performance, both LaPlante and Knocked Loose frontman Bryan Garris passionately roared out their vocals, making for an energetic display. The track, off of their 2019 album A Different Shade Of Blue, originally features Dying Wish’s Emma Boster. 

Watch a clip of the footage below!

@knockedloose x @corklezlaplante straight gas pic.twitter.com/iuNCO5C6S5

— NOT THE 1 ? (@blaz3ab) December 12, 2021

Over the weekend, bands such as Every Time I Die, the Devil Wears Prada and Stick To Your Guns opened their merch store and donated 100% of the sales to social justice causes. 

Read more: Memphis May Fire vocalist Matty Mullins apologizes for using a racial slur

Beyond that, bands such as Beartooth and Knocked Loose made special merch with “Black Lives Matter” and “ACAB” messaging. The proceeds from these items directly benefited both bail and legal defense funds. It’s clear that artists haven’t been silent and are using their platforms to help those who need it most. Some bands even plan on releasing more fundraising merchandise and raffle items in the near future. 

Here are several other bands who are selling merch items to benefit BLM charities and organizations.

Trophy Eyes

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBClGjMpeUh/

Trophy Eyes are donating all of their online merch store sales to Black Visions Collective and Warriors Of The Aboriginal Resistance Collective through June 8. You can purchase shirts, hoodies, baseball caps, vinyl and more here to support these worthy causes. 

Can’t Swim

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBEKAXDJo3q/

Can’t Swim are selling a specially designed shirt on their merch page in support of Black Lives Matter. The back of the $25 shirt takes a line from the band’s Frank Carter collab “Power”: “Fight the lies that breed injustice.”All proceeds from the shirt will directly benefit The Bail Project and BLD PWR. As this is a preorder item, fans can expect packages to ship in the last week of June. 

Silent Planet

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBBgSOElWR2/

Silent Planet are using their platform to share a specially designed T-shirt to support social justice funds. The front reads “Make every breath a protest,” while the back says, “In a world where your neighbors cannot breathe.” The shirt is $25 and is available for purchase here. All proceeds will be split in half between The Bail Project and BLMLA. 

SeeYouSpaceCowboy

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA59T2xpeJ2/

L.A.-based metalcore band SeeYouSpaceCowboy are offering a special piece of merch to fundraise for Brooklyn and Los Angeles bail funds. The front of the shirt shows the image of a burning cop car with the words “These pigs must be undone” and “ACAB.” The shirt retails at $20 and is available for purchase here. 

Read more: Protesters are blaring Judas Priest’s “Breaking The Law” over police radios

Loathe

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA5mzvPpntp/

In support of Black Lives Matter, Loathe are selling a T-shirt to support Floyd’s family on GoFundMe as well as the official BLM fund. On the back, the shirt has an image of fists raised in solidarity. Additionally, the text pulls a line from their self-titled 2017 track: “As one, we’ll face the reckoning side by side.” These are shipping from the U.K. for £20 here. 

Drug Church

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA50oUTjM0f/

Drug Church are also fueling the revolution with a specific merch item. The band designed a shirt with their name on the front and the phrase “The cops aren’t your friends” on the back. All sales will be donated to Black Visions Collective. You can buy the shirt for $24.99 here. 

Bad Omens

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBCgxkFg40Q/

If you head to Bad Omens’ merch store, you can purchase a shirt for $20 where 100% of the proceeds will benefit BLM LA. The band’s logo is marked on the front of the shirt, whereas the back features a line from “Limits”: “Everyone’s listening and they know the difference.” The band also encouraged fans to donate to other organizations and to read educational material. 

Terror

https://twitter.com/terrorhardcore/status/1267178284690731008

Hardcore crew Terror are donating 100% of their profits from this merch item to the Floyd family GoFundMe and to The Bail Project. The front of the shirt reads “Your enemies are mine,” which is the title of one of their songs. The back shares the lyrics, “I’ll do anything to keep you from hurt, your pain is mine. This is not misdirected trust, we’ll walk through fire ’til the end of time.” You can preorder the $20 shirt here until June 12. 

Read more: Republic Records will stop using the term “urban” to describe genres

Stef Chura

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA6ME3ZDM0R/

Indie-rock singer-songwriter Stef Chura is opening up her Bandcamp merch store through June 8 to benefit the movement. If you buy a shirt or hat through the web, she will donate all proceeds to Black Visions Collective and The Bail Project. 

On Point

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA-2iM0JYZD/

Nashville hardcore band On Point created a shirt in which all proceeds will benefit Black Lives Matter. The front of the shirt sports the band’s logo, while the back reads “No Justice No Peace” in large purple font. The shirt costs $15 and is available here. Additionally, customers will receive a free download of their album Year In Fear. Orders will be shipped in July. 

The Story So Far and Elder Brother

The Story So Far and Elder Brother are showing support via T-shirt sales. The bands put together a special shirt design with the acronym “BLM” on the front and a Martin Luther King Jr. quote on the back. Additionally, they have pooled together special items, including test presses, skate decks and a bass guitar, for a raffle. All proceeds between merch and the raffle will be split between Black Lives Matter, NAACP Legal Defense And Educational Fund, People’s Breakfast Oakland and Reclaim The Block. 

With Confidence

Donate to the social justice organization of your choice and send With Confidence a screenshot to [email protected] to win one of 20 merch bundles. No minimum donation is required to enter. Winners will be chosen and contacted June 12 and will be able to pick three items from the website. All merch sales through the month of June will be donated to Color Of Change and National Justice Project. 

Read more: 10 black-owned fashion brands to support instead of Dolls Kill

Knocked Loose and Dying Wish

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA_Gz4UpzpW/

Knocked Loose and Dying Wish collaborated on a shirt to benefit the Portland Freedom Fund and the Louisville Community Bail Fund. The front shows images of police in riot gear. Their chests read “All Cops Are Bastards” along with the phrase “Enemies In Blue.” You can purchase the shirt here for $15.79.

Man Overboard

Man Overboard will be donating all of their merch sales from the month of June to The Bail Project. The band ask that if you don’t want to buy merch, donate directly to the cause instead. Check out their posters, hoodies, T-shirts, records and more here. 

Speak Low If You Speak Love

Ryan Scott Graham of State Champs and Speak Low If You Speak Love shared this $25 shirt available in Speak Low’s merch store. The design shows the image of a shoeprint and states “Give racism the boot.” All sales will benefit BLM and Black Visions Collective.

Beartooth

Beartooth already raised $18,000 and are still going with these charity shirts. All sales will be donated to Black Lives Matter. You can order a shirt donning the band’s logo where the inside of it names the people who have lost their lives due to police brutality here for $25.

AltPress has also created a shirt available here with 100% of proceeds being donated to Black Lives Matter.  

Vocalist Bryan Garris collaborated with the band on their new track “Enemies In Red” which features plenty of melodeath riffs and hard-hitting breakdowns.

Read More: Circa Survive share ‘Blue Sky Noise’ 10-year anniversary tour dates

Prior to this collab, Dying Wish vocalist Emma Boster worked with Knocked Loose on their track “A Serpent’s Touch” from their latest LP A Different Shade Of Blue.

Garris spoke to us on the guest collaborations from their record which also included a spot from Every Time I Die’s Keith Buckley.

“We took the same approach like we did on Laugh Tracks, featuring two guest vocalists, one more underground from a band we like a lot and want people to know and look up and the other someone more well known,” Garris says.

New song, Enemies in Red ft. @BryanGarris_ available now. https://t.co/5445v4xb6D pic.twitter.com/z6n4ufP7up

— Dying Wish (@dyingwishhc) October 21, 2019

New DYING WISH featuring me https://t.co/HUgvw9NX2x

— Bry (@BryanGarris_) October 21, 2019

You can check out “Enemies In Red” in the player below.

Dying Wish are heading out on tour with Stray From The Path, Counterparts, Varials and Chamber starting later this week. You can check out the list of tour dates they’ll be appearing on below.

Dates

10/24 Los Angeles, CA @ 1720 +
10/25 San Diego, CA @ Soma +
10/26 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction +
10/27 Sacramento, CA @ Holy Diver +
10/29 Portland, OR @ Bossanova +
10/31 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon +
11/02 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Greek Station +
11/03 Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater +

What do you think of the new Dying Wish song with Knocked Loose’s Bryan Garris? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

See More: Warped Tour Atlantic City from the pit: ADTR, SWS, Neck Deep and more

[envira-gallery id=”217198″]