hardcore

definitions of hardcore music are widely different, so this definition is meant as a guide. hardcore did originally grow out of punk somwhere along the line in the 80's. and when i say punk, i mean punk in the ballpark of the Misfits. it began to stand on its own in the early 90's with a few pioneering bands. these early bands were very unpolished, but people looking for the heaviest sound possible became the first fans. throughout the 90's, the line between hardcore and metal thinned, because at the same time some metal bands were also finding a heavier sound. now skip ahead to the present. at this point, that heavy metal/90's hardcore gap has been closed. however there is a new barrier. everything changed when bands like Terror, Hoods, and Madball started hitting the scene (for lack of a better word). there is no denying the difference between Terror and Unearth. now that awful term "metalcore" has come about. Unearth leans sounds sort of hardcore, but they are metal. Terror is 'straight up' hardcore. kids who listen to Terror know that what they listen to is heavier than what Unearth kids listen to. so as far as they're concerned, Unearth IS NOT hardcore. so now there is 'hardcore' and there is 'real hardcore' or 'straight up hardcore'. THERE IS A DEFINATE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO STYLES OF MUSIC. most fans of 'straight up hardcore' accept and like 'hardcore' music, but dont like it being called hardcore. and they dont like 'hardcore' kids trying to act tough, because they know the music they listen to is tougher. so as much as i am against terms like "metalcore" it is probably a good idea to start using them because of the difference between the metal side and hardcore side. there is no 'hardcorest' music, just hardcore. if something more hardcore comes along, then that becomes the definition of hardcore. thats why bands like Terror are taking the term for themselves with little opposition; because they are right to. when critics hail their album saying "this is what hardcore is supposed to sound like" there is little arguing that its for real.