Gouge Away: A Florida Hardcore Punk Force

Emerging from Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2012, Gouge Away quickly established themselves as a vital force in the American hardcore punk scene. Their sound, a potent blend of post-hardcore and noise rock, draws heavily from influential acts like Pixies, The Jesus Lizard, Fugazi, Unwound, the Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower, and Nirvana. This eclectic mix fuels their raw energy and distinctive sonic attack.

The band cut their teeth playing shows and releasing two self-released EPs, Still Bored and Focus Your Anger, in 2013, using their platform to support local charities and activist groups. This commitment to social action became a hallmark of their ethos.

Their debut full-length, , Dies, dropped in February 2016 via Eighty-Sixed Records, earning immediate underground acclaim. The album's impact was significant enough to land it at #17 on BrooklynVegan's "The 20 Best Emo/Punk Albums of 2016" and among Noisey's "37 Best Overlooked Albums of 2016." This success led to high-profile touring opportunities, including slots with Touché Amoré, Ceremony, G.L.O.S.S., and Paint It Black—a testament to their growing reputation.

Gouge Away further solidified their position with their 2018 sophomore album, Burnt Sugar, released through Deathwish Inc., cementing their place as a key player in the contemporary hardcore landscape. Their uncompromising sound, combined with their strong social conscience, has earned them a dedicated following and solidified their legacy within the genre.

GWAR (stylized as GWAR) is a Richmond, Virginia-bred heavy metal band forged in 1984. Known for its ever-evolving roster of musicians, artists, and filmmakers—collectively known as Slave Pit Inc.—the band has continued to create and perform even after the 2014 death of frontman Dave Brockie, with none of its original members remaining.

Their signature grotesque costumes are integral to GWAR's elaborate science fiction mythology. Band members portray barbaric warriors—a mix of medieval Nordic, mythological, biblical, and interplanetary figures—a narrative driving their albums, live shows, and media presence. Their over-the-top violent, sexual, and scatological humor, often laced with sharp social and political satire, has garnered both praise and controversy. Infamous for their live shows, which feature graphic violence and drench the audience in copious amounts of fake blood, urine, and semen, GWAR is often categorized as "shock rock."

Since their inception, GWAR has unleashed 15 studio albums, two live albums, numerous singles, and other recordings, selling over 820,000 records in the US alone. The controversies surrounding their concerts fueled a brief period of mainstream notoriety in the early 1990s, earning them MTV airplay and in-character appearances on daytime talk shows, where they satirized censorship and media violence. While their mainstream popularity waned by the late 1990s, GWAR maintains a fiercely dedicated cult following.

Their extensive videography includes live recordings and feature films, most notably 1992's Phallus in Wonderland, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Long Form Music Video. Beyond music, the GWAR brand has expanded into books, comic books, board games, beer, whiskey, barbecue sauce, CBD products, e-liquids, collectible toys, and even sex toys—a testament to their enduring, if unconventional, influence.

Chicagos Harms Way emerged from the ashes of the straight-edge punk band Few and the Proud in 2006, initially conceived as a playful side project. Their early sound was a blistering cocktail of short, fast powerviolence, heavily influenced by acts like Crossed Out and Infest. Drummer Chris Mills describes their beginnings: "Super-fast powerviolence songs, with a masked singer belting out silly lyrics about beating up frat boys." This irreverent energy, however, soon gave way to a darker, more serious direction.

Their evolution saw them shed the comedic elements and embrace a heavier, death metal-influenced sound. This progression was documented across several releases through Organized Crime Records and Closed Casket Activities. By 2011, the band had released their second studio album, Isolation, which caught the attention of Converge's Jacob Bannon. This led to a pivotal moment: Harm's Way signing to Deathwish Inc. Their subsequent releases, including Reality Approaches (2009), Rust (2015), and the critically acclaimed Metal Blade Records debut Posthuman (2018), solidified their unique blend of metal, industrial, and hardcore, cementing their place as a significant force in the heavy music scene.

Straight out of San Francisco, CA. Hardcore thrash band Hemorage are here to share their art and make a chaotic peaceful environment creating a one of a kind experience. Formed by vocalist and guitarists Jon Orc and Bona Pak, Hemorage is rounded out by Ron Roussell on drums. Citing influences from Metal, Rap to Hardcore Punk, the band’s style is fiercely original laced with heavy breakdowns intertwined with fast-thrashing, hardcore punk riffs. The band has already seen praise from ESP guitars, Gary Holt(Exodus), and Brian Poshen, and have toured around the country independently with their DIY mobile stage and self-made merchandise. Hemorage carries a strong message of resilience, but it’s also about having fun.

High Vis: A Blast of Working-Class Punk Rock

High Vis, a London-based rock band formed in 2016, is a potent mix of hardcore punk, post-punk, indie rock, and a dash of baggy influence. This four-piece, born out of the UK's vibrant hardcore scene, has already built a reputation for their high-energy live shows and distinct sonic identity.

From Hardcore Roots to High-Vis Rebellion

Vocalist Graham Sayle, hailing from New Brighton, Merseyside, found his musical footing in London's hardcore punk scene. He cut his teeth in bands like Dirty Money and Tremors, alongside fellow musicians Rob Moss and Edward "Ski" Harper. After Tremors disbanded in 2012, Harper started experimenting with post-punk sounds, eventually laying the foundation for High Vis.

The band's name, a playful take on high-visibility clothing, speaks volumes about their working-class origins and the alienation that comes with it. As Sayle explained in an interview with NME, "It's the unifying clothing item of the working class. It also completely alienates you; nobody wants to see you or speak to you unless they want something."

A String of Releases and a Pandemic-Stalled Momentum

High Vis hit the ground running with their debut EPs, I and II, released in early 2017. They followed up with a third EP, III, later that year. Their full-length debut album, No Sense No Feeling, dropped in December 2019, just before the world was plunged into COVID-19 lockdowns. The pandemic, unfortunately, hampered their momentum, forcing them to put touring on hold. This period also marked the departure of guitarist Romain Bruneau, who returned to Paris, leading to the recruitment of Martin MacNamara.

A Band with a Future

Despite the pandemic's impact, High Vis continues to build their fanbase, known for their captivating live shows and raw, uncompromising music. Their unique blend of genres and working-class grit sets them apart, making them a force to be reckoned with in the UK rock scene. With their sights set on the future, High Vis is ready to make a statement in the world of punk rock.

Ho99o9: A Punk-Rap Duo That's All About Horror

Ho99o9 (pronounced "Horror") is more than just a punk-rap duo, they're a sonic explosion of aggression and energy. Formed in 2012 in Newark, New Jersey by theOGM and Yeti Bones, the band quickly gained a reputation for their raw, chaotic live performances.

Their sound is a heady blend of hardcore punk, hip-hop, and industrial noise, fueled by a deep-rooted love of horror movies and gritty urban realism. It's no surprise that they were named one of Rolling Stone's "10 New Artists You Need to Know" in 2014 and The Guardian's "New Band of the Week."

They've taken their intense live shows to festivals like Afropunk, SXSW, and Primavera Sound, leaving audiences breathless and wanting more. Ho99o9 has also released several EPs and two full-length albums: "United States of Horror" (2017) and "SKIN" (2022), both of which are accompanied by visually striking, grindhouse-inspired music videos.

A Tale of Two Cities and Two Influences

TheOGM (born in Elizabeth, New Jersey and raised in Linden) and Eaddy (from Newark) both came from the same performing arts collective, NJstreetKLAN (also known as JerseyKLAN). Their musical roots are deeply intertwined with their urban upbringing. They were drawn to the raw power of hip-hop and gangsta rap in their youth, citing DMX and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony as influences.

However, their musical journey took them further into the underground punk scene of Brooklyn, where they were exposed to bands like Japanther, Cerebral Ballzy, and The Death Set. The influence of electronic artists like Ninjasonik, Theophilus London, and the A.L.I.E.N. art shows further shaped their sound.

The band's sound is a perfect storm of these diverse influences, combined with their love of horror films and the aesthetic of director Rob Zombie, a former frontman of White Zombie.

Critics Acclaim the Horror

Critics have recognized the cinematic quality of Ho99o9's music, citing their punk and hip-hop roots as key inspirations. They've drawn comparisons to bands like Death Grips, Black Flag, Big Black, and Bad Brains, all of whom are known for their raw energy and uncompromising sound.

Ho99o9 is more than just a band, they're an experience. Their music is a visceral punch in the gut, a sonic testament to the power of raw energy and unflinching honesty. They're the embodiment of the chaotic beauty of their urban upbringing, infused with the dark humor and grit of their horror influences.

HUSH HUSH, a high-octane post-hardcore quartet hailing from Buffalo, NY, ignites stages with their infectious blend of catchy guitar riffs and powerful basslines. Formed in 2022, their unique sound seamlessly fuses the intensity of post-hardcore with the melodic appeal of pop-punk, drawing inspiration from acts like Pierce the Veil and Senses Fail. Prepare for an unforgettable experience: HUSH HUSH`s energetic performances are guaranteed to get you moving and singing along.

Hailing from Long Island, New York, Incendiary are a hardcore punk force to be reckoned with. Their explosive career ignited in 2008 with the Amongst The Filth 7-inch EP. They quickly followed up with their debut full-length, Crusade, in 2009 via Eternal Hope Records. Subsequent releases cemented their status: Cost of Living (2013) and Thousand Mile Stare (2017), both on Closed Casket Activities, showcased their increasingly ferocious sound.

Beyond their studio work, Incendiary's impact extended to the world of professional wrestling. In 2017, they collaborated with CFO$ to create the theme song for NXT wrestler Aleister Black, even performing it live at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III alongside Code Orange members.

While not a constantly touring band, Incendiary have made significant festival appearances, including a killer set at France's Hellfest 2022 alongside heavyweights like Metallica, Bring Me The Horizon, and Mercyful Fate. Their impressive live history also includes opening for Backtrack at a final Amityville show at the Revolution Bar & Music Hall. Incendiary's legacy is built on a potent blend of studio prowess and electrifying live performances.

Left to Suffer: A Deathcore Force from Atlanta

Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Left to Suffer burst onto the deathcore scene in 2019. The band's current lineup is a powerhouse: vocalist Taylor Barber, bassist Christian Nowatzki, guitarists Peter Higgs and Jacob Gordon, and drummer Alex Vavra.

Their journey began with the release of their debut album, A Year of Suffering, in 2020, immediately establishing them as a force to be reckoned with. This was preceded by the single "Burden," featuring then-Lorna Shore vocalist CJ McCeery, a collaboration that generated significant buzz. The band's early success wasn't without its challenges; in early 2021, drummer Levi Dunn amicably departed to pursue a career as a tattoo artist. Alex Vavra quickly stepped in, seamlessly integrating into the band's ferocious sound.

Following A Year of Suffering, Left to Suffer unleashed their second full-length album, Feral, in 2023, solidifying their position within the deathcore genre. They continued their prolific output with their third studio album, Leap of Death, in 2024, showcasing their relentless evolution and undeniable talent. Left to Suffer's impact on the deathcore landscape is undeniable, and their future looks incredibly bright.

Hailing from Los Angeles, Militarie Gun exploded onto the scene in 2020, a project born from the pandemic-induced pause of frontman Ian Shelton's other band, Regional Justice Center. Shelton's initial solo effort, the My Life Is Over EP, dropped in September 2020, laying the groundwork for what would become a fully-fledged band. He quickly assembled a powerful lineup: Nick Cogan and William Acuña on guitar, Max Epstein on bass, and Vince Nguyen on drums.

The band swiftly followed with a flurry of releases. June 2021 saw the arrival of All Roads Lead to the Gun, followed by its sequel, All Roads Lead to the Gun II, in September of the same year. A deluxe edition combining both EPs solidified their growing momentum in 2022. Building anticipation for their debut LP, Militarie Gun unleashed the single "Do It Faster" in 2023, complete with a striking music video.

Finally, on June 23rd, 2023, Militarie Gun unleashed their highly anticipated debut full-length album, Life Under the Gun, via Loma Vista Recordings, marking a significant milestone in their already impressive and prolific career. Their blend of raw energy and tightly-crafted songwriting has cemented their place as a force to be reckoned with in the current rock landscape.