Paid substackers: there is a paywalled podcast at the bottom of this post
Patreons: the podcast is available inside the Patreon portal or in your Patreon RSS feed
If you’re reading this I’m sure you already checked out last week’s post where I gave my list of the 100 greatest hardcore records of the 2010s. As expected, there were a ton of opinions and suggestions regarding the list, so I’m going to address most of them here. Here are the suggestions that were mentioned by multiple peoplpe:
WASTE MANAGEMENT POWER ABUSE 7” (2011)
This specific record was mentioned more than any other and for good reason. It fits right in with all the classic Boston hardcore stuff circa 2010. This was on the list at some point in the 80s or 90s and got bumped for something else. No ragrets…sorry.
CULO - NO RECORD SPECIFIED
A shit ton of people mentioned that Culo should’ve been on the list but not a single person mentioned a specific record. Culo is a good band who put out a slew of excellent releases in the 2010s. It was hard to narrow it down to one, so much like all the people who suggested them, I didn’t choose a record.
FOUNDATION WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS LP (2011)
A couple people mentioned this specific record and a bunch of people mentioned Foundation without specifying a record. I think objectively Foundation is a good band. This is a well executed hardcore record with tons of ‘90s worship and it has a great recording to boot. I can see where if you were someone who liked this style, this could easily be in your top 10. For me, I have such an unreasonable aversion to anything that sounds “discordant.” For example, those guitar chords at the beginning of “Anthem For Redemption” are my personal hell. Only one song on this record clocks in at under two minutes and that’s generally a warning sign that a record isn’t for me.
CREEM S/T 7” (2012)
A handful of people mentioned this one. Honestly I didn’t realize that Clapton got the band back together. I’m not above admitting that “Layla” is pretty sick, but I never really fucked with him after he dropped his baby out a window.
BROWN SUGAR …SINGS SONGS OF BIRDS AND RACISM LP (2011)
Excellent, midtempo hardcore punk LP that takes some big risks, like having a sax part even more annoying than Fear. Most of it works though, even some of the other sax parts. Brown Sugar works in fast parts too, so I get if you wanted to call this a hardcore record you could, but to my ear I’d put it into the excellent 2010s punk bucket with Masshysteri, Dark Thoughts, Neon Piss, Hank Wood, etc.
CANDY - NO RECORD SPECIFIED
A lot of people mentioned Candy as a band that should’ve been on the list but no one mentioned a specific record. For heavy hardcore bordering on metalcore, I think Candy Says is a really good record. Good To Feel is pretty good too, although it’s hard for me to make it all the way through if I’m being honest.
CEREMONY ROHNERT PARK LP (2010)
Like Foundation, if this record connects with you I can totally understand it being top 10, 5, or even #1 on your list. It just doesn’t hit for me but it was definitely a phenomenon at the time and a big reason why this band is so revered. A lot of that is because they successfully pulled off maybe the hardest thing a hardcore band can do: change your style without embarrassing yourself.
HARM’S WAY NO GODS NO MASTERS 7” (2010)
A few people mentioned this record and a couple mentioned Harm’s Way in general with no record specifically mentioned. I was honestly kind of surprised that Isolation wasn’t mentioned at all since in my opinion, it’s one of the better heavy hardcore records of the last couple decades and “Breeding Grounds” is just a next level track. I had this 7” at some point but sold it, but always held onto Isolation.
HOUNDS OF HATE NO REDEMPTION 7” (2011)
A couple people mentioned this record and another person mentioned the demo. Pretty good 7” but solidly outside of my top 100 cuz it lacks the intensity of the best roots hardcore of the era.
INCENDIARY COST OF LIVING LP (2014)
I think maybe I had only ever checked out the LP that followed this, Thousand Mile Stare. I like the cover art on that one a lot so it drew me in. Musically, it was definitely not for me. It’s hard to parse out how I’m a big fan of goon mosh but totally averse to metalcore, but it is what it is. I’d put Thousand Mile Stare over the line into metalcore but this one, at least on cursory listen, sounds more like a straight mosh core record. I may have dug it if I jammed it at the time that it came out, but I don’t see myself spending any time with it now since there is just so much music out there. Regardless, I see the appeal of it so this was a good suggestion.
MAGNITUDE TO WHATEVER FATEFUL END LP (2019)
This is one that Kev said needed to be on there and this is a band and record I’ve tried to like a bunch of times. They sound like Strife and Trial mashed together so there’s a shot I could really dig this. I think it’s the stuff that they sprinkle in to make them stand out from their source material that I’m not a fan of, like the beginning of “Vital Emergence” or how there is a lot of subtle melody tucked into the fast parts.
Like Foundation, I think this is an objectively good band who put out a very well crafted LP which is hard to do, so I can see how this could go super high on some peoples’ top 100s or even be their favorite record of the decade. But the way I see it, there’s a balance in hardcore punk between well crafted and YOLO/DGAF. For my personal taste, I just need a little bit more from the acronym bucket.
URBAN BLIGHT TOTAL WAR 7” (2010)
Multiple people mentioned this one and at least one person suggested a record of theirs from the previous decade. I think it’s a fine record, but I also think those suggestions came from either Canadians or folks who lived close to the border. The production this band opts for is definitely intentional but not my preference, especially when compared to the other roots hardcore stuff of the era that sounds phenomenal.
VEIN ERRORZONE LP (2018)
I respect the fervor in which people put forward this suggestion, but those people have obviously never listened to the pod or read this blog. This is one of my least favorite styles of music since some dude invented the guitar, so I don’t even have the palate to say if it’s good or not. I can’t make it through 30 seconds.
WICCANS SAILING A CRAZY SHIP LP / FIELD II LP + UNSPECIFIED
Multiple suggestions came in for Wiccans with zero consensus on the record, but specific records were mentioned which I think is a good sign of merit. This is a band that I’ve never spent much time with. I think I peeped every single record when it came out, gave it the Larry David pretty, pretty good and never went back to them. I jammed Sailing A Crazy Ship this week and I can totally see the argument for it making the list…maybe it would if I redid this in a year.
ABUSE OF POWER WHAT ON EARTH CAN WE DO? LP (2019)
This sounds like a band that would open for Foundation and Magnitude.
BACKTRACK DARKER HALF LP (2011)
Someone mentioned this specific record and a couple people mentioned the band with no specific record. Backtrack was a 2010s powerhouse who put out solid releases and pounded the pavement big time. I think if we were doing a top 100 bands of the 2010s they’d be a no brainer for sure, but all three LPs would be significantly better as 7”s.
DAWN OF HUMANS SLURPING AT THE COSMOS SPINE LP (2015) / BLURST OF THE BIRDFISH 7” (2012)
Both of these got suggested. I can respect the game, but let’s be real…this is the egg punk version of raw punk.
EXIT ORDER SEED OF HYSTERIA LP (2017)
This is the first suggestion that would’ve made the list for sure. I think it’s a super cool, unique record that deserves accolades. This was just pure oversight…my bad!
FORSEEN HELSINKI SAVAGERY LP (2015)
Fitting album title cuz this record is definitely savage, but it’s way over the metal line for the list.
GREEN BERET STANDING AT THE MOUTH OF HELL LP (2016) / VIOLENCE IS THEIR CURRENCY 12” EP (2012)
Each of these records got mentioned. I had peeped Violence is Their Currency and maybe the 7” that followed back when they came out and thought they were pretty good. Neither would’ve made the list. I don’t know if I had ever jammed Standing At The Mouth of Hell before. On this listen, it’s excellent and definitely could’ve made the list. It’s making my record want list for sure.
KREMLIN DRUNK IN THE GULAG LP (2013)
This was a good suggestion and a killer record. One person mentioned this specifically and another simply mentioned the band name. I remember listening to one of this band’s earlier tapes or maybe the 7” when it hit a blog back when it came out and I didn’t care for it much. This LP rules though. It does a great job of being schizo on one end but super in the pocket on the other, and while the recording is intentionally lo-fi, they found a nice balance so it doesn’t seem LARPy. If I spent more time with this, it could definitely make the list. Another one added to my WL!
MINORITY UNIT - NO RECORD SPECIFIED
Minority Unit was a great live band. My band, Retaliate, had the pleasure of following them after they played their “last show” set at Sound and Fury 2012. That was a bummer of a slot but it was great watching them absolutely annihilate. Both 7”s are good but wouldn’t make my personal top 100.
MINUS HARD FEELINGS 7” (2011)
I got a couple mentions that I should’ve slotted this Minus 7” from 2011 over their 2019 LP, Compulsion. I like this 7” too but Compulsion is a trimmed down package that’s way gnarlier sounding. Plus it’s so sick that that their best record came out a decade after their demo. Speaking of, someone shouted the demo too but that’s 2009.
Someone mentioned this record and someone else mentioned the band without a specific record. The songwriting is good here but it’s held back by production that sounds like it’s a practice room demo.
Only one person mentioned this record and one other mentioned Power Trip without a specific record. I knew I was going to post this list on Reddit, so I had anticipated a large outcry of folks upset that Turnstile and Power Trip weren’t on the list. Regarding Power Trip, I mentioned on the podcast that I’m not really a fan of crossover in general, but like with anything there are exceptions. I think crossover lands one of two ways: leaning thrash metal or leaning hardcore. Bands who made the list like Take Offense and Mindforce land on the hardcore side. A band like Power Trip most definitely lands on the more thrash metal side musically, lyrically, and with the length of their tunes.
Hey, Maury said it not me. Now do eight songs in 34 minutes.
S.H.I.T. - NO RECORD SPECIFIED
A couple people mentioned that S.H.I.T. should’ve been included. I think their whole catalog is good and I spent some time with their prolific 2010s catalog trying to decide which one to include. I couldn’t really nail it down so they were omitted. This band put out a record as recently as 2024 that was killer and are a great example of what a good hardcore band can be.
SICKOIDS - NO RECORD SPECIFIED
Sickoids were mentioned by a couple people with no record specified. Their 2013 12” No Home easily could’ve made it for sure. It’s excellent and way better than the 2012 record. I just don’t know what I’d pull out to get it in there. This singer puts on an absolute clinic on this 12” and the drumming is great.
SQRM RODEO LP (2010)
I don’t have the ear for this stuff so I can’t say if it’s good or not, I can only say it’s not for me.
STICK TOGETHER SURVIVING THE TIMES 7” (2012)
Someone mentioned this record, another person mentioned the band with no specific record, and Kev had originally wanted the demo on the list. All the records have their moments but the top 100 is a pretty tight list. Think about it, we did a top 50 from 2025 and number 50 was a good record. Doing a top 100 for a decade is basically like doing top 10s for each year. If you’re a troo youth crew head and not an asshole elitist like me, I can see how this can make it high on your list but it’s not making mine.
TERCER MUNDO S/T 7” (2012)
A couple people shouted this 7”. As a total package, it would be an excellent inclusion. Its subject matter coming from the people singing it, backed with the all-time layout is really an impressive piece of hardcore punk.
TURNSTILE NONSTOP FEELING LP (2015) + UNSPECIFIED
Like Power Trip, I was surprised there wasn’t more of an outpouring of love for Turnstile. If you love this stuff, I get if it goes high on your list. No doubt, it’s a well executed and put together record. It was just never for me as I am militant in my clean vocals stance on hardcore records.
WAR HUNGRY S/T LP (2013)
Two people called out for this one and it was super high on Kev’s list. I think Kev has excellent taste in music so I jammed this a few times hoping I could like it enough to get it onto the list, but I just couldn’t. Heavy music with singing AKA stripper metal just isn’t my thing, but I fully get the appeal and it’s obviously a well executed album. If this came on while I was at Charlys Bar (RIP) in Ensenada working on my 2nd cubeta, I wouldn’t be mad at it.
WILD SIDE WHO THE HELL IS THE WILD SIDE? LP (2019)
How can you name your band this and then still get bodied by the song?
Hit it, Mick!
That’s it for bands/records that got at least two mentions. Here is a list of other records that got suggested. I’m not looking them up, this was just the info given. My notes are in parenthesis if necessary.
108 - 18.61
2x4 - Eight Song 7”
Alpha & Omega - Life Swallower
Altered Boys - S/T 7” (2012)
Anxiety - S/T 12” (2016)
Armor - Some Kind of War
Asocial - Dod At Kapitalismen LP (2016) (I need to check this…big fan of the Religion Sucks 7” from ‘86ish")
Aspects of War - Presence of Death
Axis - Show Your Greed
Back to Back - Flesh and Bone 7”
Bad Choice - Demo
Beta Boys - Late Night Acts
BIB - Moshpit
Big Laugh - Demo CS 2019
Big Zit - Electric Zit Vol 1
Bitter End - Guilty As Charged / Illusions of Dominance (Only one mention for each. I was surprised they didn’t get more shouts. Solid records, but just outside of my top 100)
Black Breath - Sentenced To Life LP (2012)
Blotter - Demo (2012)
Brain Killer 7” 2012
Burning Love - Rotten Things To Say
Cadaver Dog - Dying Breed
Caged Animal 7”
Citizens Arrest - Soaked in Others Blood 7”
Condominium - Warm Home
Criminal Damage LP
Culture Shock - S/T 12” (2017)
Dangers - Messy, Isn’t It?
Davidians - City Trends
Dead End Path - Blind Faith
Deathbed - Reduced to Nothing
Deathcage - Plague of Rats LP
Deathraid - All Life Ends
Deflect - Mass Delusion
Depths of Reality - S/T EP
Desperat - Hardcore Deluxe 12”
Detain - State of Emergency EP 2014
Double Negative - Daydreamnation LP
Down To Nothing - Life On The James
Eden’s Demise - Tower of Vanity (never heard of this but it sounds terrible)
Fire & Ice - Not Of This Earth
FocusedXMinds - Stay Focused
GOON - Natural Evil
Heavy Discipline - EP or LP
In School - Praxis of Hate 7”
Insist 7”
Intent - No Rules demo
Iron Lung - Savagery (2014)
Lebenden Toten - Mind Parasites
Lifeless Dark - Demo
Lose Lose 12”
Lumpy and the Dumpers - Huff My Sack LP (2016)
Mastermind - Bad Reaction 7”
Men’s Interest - More War 7”
Modern Life is War - Fever Hunting
Modern Pain - Pain Delusions
Modern Problems - Foolish Times
Mystic Inane - Ode to Joy
Nemesis - Dou-Koku 7”
New Brigade - Join the Brigade
New Lows - Harvest of the Carcass
No Class - First LP
No Time - You’ll Get Yours
Noose - Demo
OHYDA - S/T
PEARS - Green Star LP 2016
Protester - 2015 7” or LP
Protocol - Bloodsport 12” EP 2019
Pulling Teeth - Funerary
Put To Death - Separatist 7”
Ratas Del Vaticano - Rafagueados
Raw Nerve S/T
Red Hare - Nights of Midnight
Response - There’s No Choice
Rot In Hell - As Pearls Before Swine
Sabertooth Zombie - Human Performance Collection
Salvation - Mortality Interactions
School Jerks - Control 7” (2011)
Selfish - Life Has No Vacant Time LP
Shipwrecked - The Last Pagans LP
Sludge - Conduct LP
Sniper Culture - Combat Rock 7” 2019
Soul Search - Intolerable Weight
Step 4 Change - United Step
Suburban Scum - Internal War
Surroundings - S/T
The Rival Mob - Mob Justice
Tragedy - Fury
United Nations - Never Mind the Bombings
Vacant State - Fill The Void 12” (2011)
Vile Gash S/T
Violence to Fade - Unstoppable Force
Violent Future - Either 7”
xElegyx - S/T
These bands were mentioned once with no record specified: Anasazi, Bane, Berthold City, Demolition, GAZM, Hank Wood and the Hammerheads, Inclination, Invasión, Leather Daddy, Living Laser, LOTION, Orden Mundial, OTAN, Perdition, Ramallah, Sex Prisoner, Slices, Sudor, The Coltranes, Trap Them, Trauma, True Love, Wasted Time, Xibalba.
No one mentioned Retaliate or Somali Pirates….SHAME ON YOU ALL!
If you enjoy the podcast or this blog, here are the ways you can support:
Spread the word
Like/rate/review the podcast wherever you listen to it
Become a Patreon. The patreons have been keeping this project alive for over seven years.
Become a paid member on Substack. I get it. You’re loyal to Substack and Patreon feels OnlyFans-adjacent. Supporting on here also gets you access to all the archives (anything over a month old).
Recurring payment-adverse? There’s always this.
Thanks for the support!
- ZN
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.