SQRM - Rodeo (2010)

Genre: Noise Rock/Hardcore
Country: United States

A few years back I wrote a ridiculously hyperbolic review for this album, where I meticulously deconstructed every aspect of it, from the cover, to the closing notes of "You Still Can't Live"; needless to say that review was a pretentious piece of shit. I went on to state how SQRM would change the face of hardcore with their downtempo and depressive style, and though I was DEAD WRONG, this is still one of my favorite hardcore albums ever. I love how fucking ugly it is. The album drips with a palpable sense of loathing - both self and outward; this is not your dad's hardcore record. The guitars drag themselves hopelessly from one transition to the next, moving to the beat of primitive percussion and asylum-worthy howls. The lyrics on this are either genius or ridiculous; it walks the line so perfectly, you're only left with the ambiguity. That's kind of what makes it so special though. Highly recommended (unless you're depressed, than you may want to steer clear.)

I'M A FUCKING FREAK, SPIT ON ME

Dropdead - Discography (1994)

Genre: Powerviolence, Hardcore Punk
Country: United States

This album is probably one of the more furious and fast albums I've ever listened to. These guys play some extremely fast hardcore considering how many songs are below the fifty second but it's incredible how satisfying it is regardless. This contains stuff that aren't on their full-length albums (which are also well worth your time) so you get the splits and the EPs which are all essential. Anyone interested in this type of music will end up satisfied with this album.

Download

Cagedgrave - Gutless (2014)

Genre: Hardcore/Power Violence
Country: Australia

Cagedgrave are a power violence influenced hardcore band from Australia currently causing a stir in the underground with their initial first demo last year and now this their debut ep.  Sounding very much like Nails for the most part, fans of them couldn't go far wrong in checking this out.  10 short, sharp, primal bursts of speed and aggression that mug you in a darkened alleyway and leave your bloodied confused mess of a self to comprehend what the fuck just happened.  The entire 6 and a bit minute flurry (as well as their other releases) are available for name your price download on their bandcamp page.

Bandcamp (name your price)

Warsore - Violent Swing Discography (2012)

Genre: Grindcore
Country: Austalia

Australia's anarcho grind lunatics Warsore blazed a violent trail for a number of years before finally calling it a day.  This is essentially a collection of pretty much everything they ever did, 110 tracks in 101 minutes of pure pissed off and unrelenting rage.  No frills, no gimmicks, no posturing, just good angry in your face grind.

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Buy

Cara Neir - The Overwatch (2014)

Genre: Black Metal/Hardcore/Screamo
Country: United States

Cara Neir are easily one of my favorite bands of the past few years. Watching them develop their style has been a joy, not only because they are consistently amazing, but also unpredictable. Stagnant Perceptions was black metal with a screamo twist. Portals To A Better, Dead World was screamo with a black metal twist. Sublimation Therapy explored hardcore and all of its variants, and their splits usually fall into the "post-black metal" category, featuring some heavy shoegaze influences. The Overwatch combines the black metal/screamo style of their full-lengths with the brevity and pure aggression of Sublimation Therapy. It's gr1m and hxc all at once; the cohesion between the different styles is as fluid as always. Definitely not something to sleep on.

Portals to Sublimation Therapy

Cortez - Phoebus (2013)

Genre: Post-Metal, Screamo, Hardcore
Country: Switzerland

It's a little hard to pin these guys down into a genre but really those genre tags should suffice for now. Regardless, this is one hell of a record that kind of reminds me of Amia Venera Landscape with a more atmospheric approach to it and less metalcore. It sounds incredibly intense and it's well produced as well. Plus these guys are on Throatruiner so you know it has to be intense.

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Nasty Taste - Рисуя свой мир... (2010)

Genre: Hardcore Punk
Country: Russia

Another chaotic hardcore punk band tinged with mathcore influences drawn from bands like Converge and The Dillinger Escape Plan using screeching and dizzying riffs sprinkled over breakdowns. One thing worth mentioning that they have a female vocalist who's a pretty great screamer and not a bad singer but the singing is used sparingly so it doesn't break the momentum this album has throughout its run-time.

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The Cancer Kids - The Possible Dream (2006)

Genre: Powerviolence / Thrashcore
Country: United States

Another band that has came and went as fast as the wind blows Western Mass' The Cancer Kids play blistering fast hardcore with thrash influences.  Aside from a single track 7 inch and a split seven inch this was their only other output, however this one full length is brimming with anger and seemingly teeters on the edge of going off the rails completely at some points.  But just when you think everything is going to unravel in a burst of cathartic madness they pull things back into shape in the form of a groove or breakdown before punching you in the face with another blast fueled burst.  Fast, angry and utterly addictive, well worth your time.

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Warthog - Exterminate Me (2013)

Genre: Hardcore
Country: United States

Scathing hardcore released last year. Frenzied guitar, ritualistically heavy drums and and furious vocals all drenched in a cacophony of wondrous feedback. These guys just got signed to Iron Lung records, so you know they are good.

Exterminate Me? Exterminate Yourself

Unruh - Setting Fire to Sinking Ships (1999)

Unruh - Setting Fire to Sinking Ships
Country - USA

Genre: Metalcore? Grindcore? Death metal? Hardcore punk? Crust? Mixed bag, really. But one thing that is for sure: this album is harsh. Like burning in a whirlwind of flame while molten shards of volcanic rock slowly strip away your skin. Brutal shit, and not in that lame groove-core fashion. It's fast, furious, tight as hell, and has one of the best drummers I've ever heard. Check it out, you won't regret it.

Unfortunately, the album is notoriously hard to find through simple linkage, so I can't provide a straight download link. However if you have access to what.cd or soulseek or other such clients it should be pretty easy to acquire. The full things on YouTube, too. So there's that.