Show Me the Body: A New York Hardcore Powerhouse

Show Me the Body (SMTB), hailing from the concrete jungle of New York City, burst onto the post-hardcore scene in 2009. This trio isn't afraid to get their hands dirty, blending elements of hip-hop, noise music, and sludge metal into a ferocious sound that's earned them a devoted following.

From Under the Bridge to the Big Leagues

The band's story begins with Julian Cashwan Pratt, lead vocalist and banjoist, and Harlan Steed, bassist, meeting in the hallowed halls of Elisabeth Irwin High School. Fueled by their shared passion for New York's hardcore scene, they cut their teeth performing in unconventional venues – think underpasses, alleys, and basements – giving them a raw and intimate connection with their audience. Their DIY ethic quickly earned them a reputation for their relentless energy and intense live shows.

Early Days: Yellow Kidney and a Sound That Shouts

In 2014, SMTB released their debut EP, "Yellow Kidney," a raw and unfiltered blast of sonic fury that introduced the world to their signature sound. The EP, self-released on SoundCloud, garnered critical acclaim and established them as a force to be reckoned with.

More to Come: A Band on the Rise

SMTB's journey is far from over. With a devoted fanbase, a sound that pushes boundaries, and a commitment to relentless innovation, they continue to carve their own path in the world of hardcore. Keep your eyes peeled for their next move – it's sure to be explosive.

Snot: A Nu-Metal Tragedy and Resurrection

Hailing from Santa Barbara, California, Snot exploded onto the nu-metal scene in 1995. The band, forged from the ashes of local punk and metal acts (Lethal Dose and Kronix, respectively), quickly gained a ferocious following thanks to the raw energy of vocalist Lynn Strait and guitarist Mikey Doling. Their hard-hitting live shows in Los Angeles earned them a deal with Geffen Records, culminating in the release of their seminal debut album, Get Some, in May 1997. Produced by T-Ray, Get Some cemented their place in the burgeoning nu-metal landscape.

Tragedy struck during the band's 1998 Ozzfest tour. On July 9th, 1998, Strait's life was tragically cut short following an incident in Mansfield, Massachusetts, where he was arrested after emerging nude from a large toilet prop used by Limp Bizkit during their performances. His death brought the band to an abrupt and devastating end.

Despite the loss, Snot's legacy endured. In 2008, the remaining original lineup – Doling, bassist John Fahnestock, drummer Jamie Miller, and rhythm guitarist Sonny Mayo – reunited. They eventually formed a new band, Tons, in 2009, with vocalist Brandon Espinosa. However, the enduring power of Snot proved too strong, and the band announced another reformation in February 2014. The story of Snot is a testament to the raw power of their music and the enduring impact of Lynn Strait, tragically cut down in his prime.

Soul Glo: A Philly Hardcore Punk Band Forged in the Fire

Soul Glo, hailing from the vibrant underground scene of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a hardcore punk band that explodes onto the scene with a raw, unfiltered energy. Formed in 2014, the band consists of the dynamic trio of Pierce Jordan (vocals), GG Guerra (guitar, programming) and TJ Stevenson (drums).

From Quartet to Triumvirate: Soul Glo started as a quartet, featuring Jordan, Jamie Sokol, Ethan Brennan, and Ruben Polo. Their early days saw them supporting bands like Old Gray on a Northeast US tour, sharing stages with Nine of Swords in Brooklyn and Really From in Boston.

A Rocky Road: The band's journey has been punctuated by some major hurdles. In 2018, while on tour, GG Guerra was arrested by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, forcing the band to raise $15,000 to bail him out. This incident, though difficult, only solidified their dedication to their craft.

Epitaph and the DisNigga EPs: In 2021, Soul Glo signed with the iconic Epitaph Records, a testament to their growing influence. The signing coincided with the release of "DisNigga," a two-volume EP series that further established their sonic identity. The band further cemented their position in the scene by supporting Sheer Mag on their East Coast tour, culminating in an appearance on Coheed and Cambria's S.S. Neverender cruise.

Moving Forward, Together: In 2022, the band faced a significant challenge when Polo was accused of sexual assault by deception. He subsequently stepped down from the band. This was a difficult time, forcing Soul Glo to confront difficult questions and make tough decisions. However, they persevered, releasing their powerful album, "Diaspora Problems," on March 25th, 2022, via Epitaph.

Soul Glo continues to push boundaries, their music resonating with a growing fanbase. They're not just a band; they're a voice for the voiceless, a force for change, and a testament to the enduring power of hardcore punk.

Sunami: From Bay Area Hardcore Joke to Zeitgeist Dominators

Sunami, the San Jose hardcore punk band, exploded onto the scene in 2019, initially conceived as a tongue-in-cheek project by veterans of the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area hardcore scene. Their 2019 Demonstration demo served as a satirical jab at the perceived cluelessness within certain segments of the hardcore community. However, a brutally energetic debut live performance catapulted them to notoriety, extending their lifespan far beyond their initially intended short run.

Since then, this powerhouse quartet has released three EPs and their self-titled debut album on June 14, 2023. Their ascent has been meteoric, with Revolver magazine placing them "in the upper echelon of bands dominating the hardcore zeitgeist" in 2023.

History:

The members, all seasoned musicians with past experience in prominent Bay Area bands like Gulch, Hands of God, Drain, Spinebreaker, and Lead Dream, first connected through the local hardcore scene. The band's formation in 2019 stemmed from a joke, an idea proposed by Josef Alfonso, with the name "Sunami" – conceived a decade earlier by bassist Theo Dominguez – quickly adopted. Mike Durrett then began crafting the instrumental tracks at their friend Charles Toshio's home studio, with Toshio contributing drums and structuring the instrumental arrangements for the early material. What started as a parody quickly evolved into a major force in hardcore punk.

Terror: A Hardcore Juggernaut

Terror, the Los Angeles-based hardcore punk band, has been a driving force in the scene since 2002. Founded by vocalist Scott Vogel and drummer Nick Jett, the band's relentless energy and powerful sound have made them a cornerstone of modern beatdown hardcore.

While their lineup has seen several changes throughout the years, the core of Terror remains intact. The current roster features the ferocious vocals of Vogel, the punishing drum work of Jett, and the razor-sharp guitar riffs of Martin Stewart and Jordan Posner. Chris Linkovich holds down the low end on bass, completing the sonic assault.

Terror has released eight studio albums, their latest being the impactful "Pain Into Power" (2022). This prolific output has solidified their position as one of the most influential bands in their genre, a fact acknowledged by Stereogum who called them "an institution within their genre."

Early Days: From Garage to Global Stage

The band's journey began in February 2002, with Vogel, guitarist Todd Jones, drummer Jett, and bassist Matt Smith forming the initial lineup. Their name, however, didn't come until April 2002, just before their first shows supporting Death Threat, American Nightmare, and Striking Distance on a West Coast tour. Those early gigs were preceded by a warm-up show with Diehard Youth in Ventura, California.

Their debut album, "One with the Underdogs," proved to be a massive success, selling over 40,000 copies. Terror's reach has extended far beyond their Los Angeles roots, with tours across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and South America, spreading their explosive sound and captivating a global hardcore audience.

The Armed: A Force of Unpredictable Noise in the Hardcore Scene

The Armed, often represented by the symbol 🔪, are a shrouded American hardcore punk collective hailing from Detroit, Michigan. Their identity is as elusive as their music, with no official members publicly revealed. However, the enigmatic project is often associated with creative director and advertising guru Tony Wolski, formerly known as Adam Vallely.

Their sound is a chaotic blend of hardcore punk, metalcore, post-hardcore, and experimental hardcore, infused with a potent dose of self-deprecating humor. The Armed have embraced a cult-like presentation, often referring to themselves as "the world's greatest band" and employing the mantra "refract" as a recurring motif.

Their music thrives on collaboration, featuring guest appearances from a rotating roster of musicians, including Chris Pennie, Nick Yacyshyn, Ben Koller, Troy Van Leeuwen, and Urian Hackney. Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou has also been a consistent presence, lending his expertise to the recording and production of most of their releases.

From Slicer Dicer to "These Are Lights"

Wolski claims The Armed emerged from the ashes of a Detroit band called Slicer Dicer. Their debut album, "These Are Lights", mixed by Kurt Ballou, was released for free in 2009. Wolski explained this unconventional release strategy to Thrash Hits: "Wanting people to actually hear the music made us give it away for free. We've all played in other bands for a while now, and whether it is good or not, it's undeniable that for the most part young people do not place the same sense of monetary value on recordings as they once did."

This move epitomized The Armed's approach: unconventional, unpredictable, and unafraid to challenge the norms of the music industry. Their music, like their identity, is a mystery waiting to be unraveled, leaving audiences both intrigued and bewildered.