Expire- Bark

If that beginning drum roll doesn’t make you want to spin kick in the pit then I don’t know what will. Expire was the first hardcore band I listened to and it was the band that got me into hardcore. I have seen these guys four times and damn they are just unreal. The energy they bring to every show is insane especially on their farewell tour. Expire did the most hardcore thing I have heard of and did a house show tour through the midwest. Absolutely tearing down residential basements in nice neighborhoods is a fucking statement in hardcore. Expire went out with a bang with their last album and with their last tour. Mad respect for these dudes and I highly recommend checking them out.

Architects- From the Wilderness

Architects are a pretty big band and they just finished their U.S headliner and sold out almost every show. I was fortunate enough to see them on that amazing line up with Counterparts and Stick to Your Guns. I think this song is one that really stood out to me on All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us and I think it is fairly underrated. I especially love that part towards the end with the scientist talking about what grows in the human body after a certain age (cancer). Obviously a long story about that because of their guitarist Tom Searle. This song and this entire album just has so much emotion in every song and these guys absolutely killed it live.

The Story So Far- Out of It

First posting of a pop punk song and what better band than The Story So Far. These guys are textbook pop punk and have some of the catchiest riffs. Though their albums do get repetitive because they generally sing about the same thing every time but I have a soft spot for them and I love this single.

Enjoy

Kublai Khan- Ghost Pains

Kublai has always been one of my favorite hardcore/beatdown bands an I love how much they have grown. With their recent release Nomad on Rise Records I think its clear that this band has some serious potential and they will be around for a while. These guys are so dedicated to music and it resonates in their songs that are about life struggles and struggles as a band. I remember the first time I saw these guys was at the all stars tour years back and I immediately went over to their table after their set and bought this album and I have loved them ever since.

The Acacia Strain- Graveyard Shift

One of my favorite songs from The Acacia Strain because it has one of the sickest guest vocalists. Sven from Aborted has such a unique voice and it was awesome to hear him in this song. Be sure to check out Aborted for some slams! They also have a song featuring Vincent, “Your Entitlement Means Nothing to Me.”

Dying Fetus- Invert the Idols

One of the better bands I have seen live. They sound almost the same as in the studio and the crowd goes crazy for these guys. For a three man band they produce some insanely heavy music and they are very popular in the metal scene.

Thy Art Is Murder- Breeding Bacteria

This is a bit of a throwback and I have still never heard anything quite like this EP. In particular, this breakdown in this song is one of a kind. I love how the double bass kicks and then slows down as a build up for “OH!” Its so sick and this whole EP is disturbingly good. Thy Art sounds nothing like this now but I still love this band!

Jesus Piece- Oppressor

Had the pleasure of seeing this band this past weekend and they put on a hell of show. These guys are so sick and stand for something powerful. They played three new songs and all were great. Looking forward to their new material.

End- Necessary Death

END is so fucking sick, I love Brendan Murphy (Counterparts) and the whole theme of this band. I dont even know what genre to call this I feel like its hardcore but also sort of deathcore. This EP is so sick and original, check it out and give these guys some love they deserve it. Note this is nothing like Counterparts.

Xibalba- Cold

This definitely needs to be played a high volume and preferably in a residential area. Talk about some brutal hardcore, these guys are insane and this house show looks like a blast.