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.

Silverstein, the Burlington, Ontario-based post-hardcore band formed in 2000, takes its name from children's author Shel Silverstein, a source of childhood inspiration for the members. Since their inception, they've built a prolific discography encompassing eleven studio albums, seven EPs, a compilation album, and a live DVD/CD, selling over one million albums worldwide.

Their breakthrough came with Discovering the Waterfront (their second studio album), which earned a Juno Award nomination and peaked at #34 on the Billboard 200. Subsequent releases achieved similar chart success.

The band's lineup remained stable from May 2001 to July 2012, featuring Shane Told (lead vocals), Neil Boshart (lead guitar), Josh Bradford (rhythm guitar), Billy Hamilton (bass), and Paul Koehler (drums). However, in September 2012, Boshart was replaced by Paul Marc Rousseau, who also contributed backing vocals alongside Hamilton.

After a long tenure with Victory Records (ending in 2010), Silverstein transitioned through Hopeless Records and Rise Records, ultimately landing on their current label, UNFD. Their tenth studio album, A Beautiful Place to Drown (released March 2020), garnered a 2021 Juno Award nomination for Best Rock Album, solidifying their status as a significant force in the Canadian and international rock scenes.

Hailing from Leeds, West Yorkshire, Static Dress exploded onto the UK rock scene in 2018. This quintet, currently comprised of vocalist Olli Appleyard, drummer Sam Ogden, bassist George Holding, guitarist Vincent Weight, and the enigmatic masked guitarist known only as Contrast, has quickly built a reputation for their intense and eclectic sound. Their journey began with a different lineup, featuring Appleyard (who previously honed his skills as a photographer and videographer for other bands), bassist Connor Reilly, and guitarist Tom Black, along with original drummer Sam Ogden. These members, some hailing from a previous band called Galleries, experimented with various styles, initially dabbling in hardcore punk before solidifying their distinctive sound. Although their early hardcore explorations remained unreleased, their trajectory was set. The band first grabbed attention with the release of their debut single, "Clean," on August 14th, 2019, complete with a striking music video directed by Appleyard and Ogden. Since then, they`ve unleashed a full-length studio album, three EPs, and a collection of powerful standalone singles, solidifying their place as a force to be reckoned with in the modern rock landscape.

Hailing from Dayton, Ohio, The Devil Wears Prada exploded onto the metalcore scene in 2005. Initially known for their Christian-themed lyrics, the band—originally featuring Mike Hranica (vocals, guitar), Jeremy DePoyster (rhythm guitar, vocals), Kyle Sipress (lead guitar, backing vocals), Mason Nagy (bass), Jonathan Gering (keyboards, backing vocals), and Giuseppe Capolupo (drums)—quickly gained traction. While they maintained their original lineup for a significant period, the departure of keyboardist James Baney marked a shift.

Their potent blend of aggressive metalcore and intricate musicianship has fueled eight studio albums: Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord (2006), Plagues (2007), With Roots Above and Branches Below (2009), Dead Throne (2011), 8:18 (2013), Transit Blues (2016), The Act (2019), and Color Decay (2022).

Early Days and Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord

Formed in 2005, the band—named after the novel— initially performed with a fill-in bassist and only one guitarist. Jeremy DePoyster (rhythm guitar) and bassist Andy Trick soon joined the ranks. After cutting their teeth playing local Dayton gigs, they released their Patterns of a Horizon demo. This demo, however, didn't meet their standards. Following a successful trial with Rise Records, they secured a contract and re-recorded the entire demo for their debut full-length, Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord. This marked the official launch of a band destined for major success within the metalcore genre.

The Early November, a New Jersey-bred rock band, burst onto the scene in 2001. Their raw energy and DIY spirit quickly caught the attention of Drive-Thru Records, who signed them in 2002 after receiving a low-fi demo and a homemade videotape – a testament to their scrappy beginnings. The band, initially comprised of Ace Enders (vocals/guitar), Jeff Kummer (drums), and Sergio Anello (bass), honed their sound in Enders' basement before adding guitarist John Dubitsky.

Their debut EP, For All of This, dropped in December 2002, followed by The Acoustic EP the same year, quickly establishing them on the burgeoning emo scene. Drive-Thru wisely leveraged their new signees, booking them on high-profile tours like Skate and Surf Fest and the Vans Warped Tour. Since then, The Early November have built a formidable discography, releasing seven full-length albums: The Room's Too Cold (2003), The Mother, the Mechanic, and the Path (2006), In Currents (2012), Imbue (2015), Lilac (2019), Twenty (2022), and their self-titled album in 2024. Their enduring career showcases a band that, despite humble origins, has consistently delivered compelling and influential rock music.

Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, The Funeral Portrait emerged onto the American rock scene in 2015. Their music, a captivating fusion of alternative metalcore, post-hardcore, and pop punk, sets them apart. Critics have lauded their sound, often comparing it to a potent blend of My Chemical Romance and A Day to Remember, highlighting the band's ability to seamlessly weave these diverse influences into a distinctive and engaging musical tapestry.

The Plot in You, a post-hardcore powerhouse hailing from Hancock County, Ohio, exploded onto the scene in 2010. Initially a side project for Landon Tewers, formerly of Before Their Eyes, the band solidified its lineup with guitarist Josh Childress, bassist Ethan Yoder, and drummer Michael Cooper.

Their explosive journey began with the raw and controversial 2010 EP, Wife Beater, released under InVogue Records – the same label as Tewers' previous band. This release proved pivotal, prompting Tewers to leave Before Their Eyes and fully commit to The Plot in You. The band quickly followed up with their debut full-length, First Born (2011), solidifying their intense, emotional sound. Could You Watch Your Children Burn (2013) further cemented their position in the post-hardcore landscape.

The band's trajectory shifted with their signing to StaySick Recordings in 2015, resulting in the release of Happiness in Self Destruction. However, after a successful run, they parted ways with StaySick in 2017, quickly signing with Fearless Records and unleashing Dispose in February 2018. Their fifth studio album, Swan Song, arrived in September 2021, marking another significant chapter in their impactful career. The Plot in You's discography also includes three EPs, showcasing their consistent evolution and unwavering dedication to their emotionally charged, heavy sound. The band's original name, "Vessels," reflects their early evolution into the force they are today.

Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Throw the Fight emerged as a five-piece rock band. Their early years saw the recording of several demos and a self-titled three-song EP featuring vocalist Brandon Kyllo. A pivotal moment arrived with the arrival of Paul Krueger, who took over vocal duties and spearheaded the creation of their next EP, The Fire Within. This four-track effort catapulted them into the national spotlight in 2006, earning them a spot on Alternative Press`s Top Ten Unsigned Bands list. This recognition led to a record deal with Cordless Recordings, a digital label under the Warner Music Group umbrella.

The band leveraged the newfound attention, embarking on a year-and-a-half tour in support of The Fire Within. This period culminated in a lineup shift, with James Clark replacing Paul Krueger on vocals. While already a solid act, the band felt Clark`s vocal style better captured their evolving sound. This change proved fortuitous, attracting the attention of Minnesota producer Matt Kirkwold.

Building on the moderate success of The Fire Within, Throw the Fight forged ahead, writing and recording material for their debut full-length album, In Pursuit of Tomorrow.

Buffalo, New York's post-hardcore/metalcore band, Until I Wake, unleashed their highly anticipated debut album, Inside My Head, on September 9th via Fearless Records. Discovered in early 2022, their early releases piqued my interest. The album, produced by Nick Matzkows and Jon Eberhard (known for their work with I Prevail, Conquer Divide, and The True Blue), draws influence from artists like Pierce The Veil, Linkin Park, Underoath, blessthefall, and Bring Me The Horizon. While the band cites multiple influences, Linkin Park's impact is particularly evident in Until I Wake's incorporation of rap vocals. Inside My Head is a solid debut, though future projects would benefit from enhanced mixing and mastering.

Hailing from central Massachusetts, Wind Walkers blend the intensity of post-hardcore and alternative metal with the accessibility of pop, creating a unique sound within the modern metal landscape.