Hardcore Punk

If punk rock was the answer to the corporate-driven music of the '70s, hardcore punk took the music to the next level. Although the origins of the term are unclear, the movement began in the '80s and was driven by more politically heated lyrics and aggressive music. In fact, hardcore punk was one of the first of many sub-genres spawned by punk rock and created a split within the movement.

Hardcore--A Rougher Sound

The most distinguishing aspect of hardcore punk is its heavier sound and intensity. While punk rock remained true to its bare bones approach, hardcore punk began including aspects of heavy metal into its sound, broadening the musical landscape. Obviously, this contributed to the fractionalization of the punk movement, with many holding on to punk's original intentions, while others embraced its evolution.

An additional division in hardcore punk exists depending on which coast you live on. Similar to the well-publicized differences between east coast rap and west coast rap, hardcore punk music sounds different depending on the origins of the band. East coast bands typically have a smoother sound while west coast bands are more aggressive with a combination of screams or bursts.

As hardcore punk continued to evolve, it began incorporate a great deal of musical elements. Bands such as Black Flag even strayed away from punk's original structure of short songs by performing longer, more musically complex pieces. Nevertheless, when you listen to an album such as their 1981 release Damaged, their punk origins cannot be denied.