Beatdown Hardcore

Overview

• Also known as heavy hardcore, brutal hardcore, moshcore, or simply beatdown.
• A subgenre of hardcore punk incorporating elements of thrash metal and hip hop.
• Features aggressive vocals, heavy, palm-muted guitar riffs, and breakdowns.

Origins and Development

• Originated in late 1980s with "tough guy hardcore" bands such as Breakdown, Killing Time, and Madball.
• Pioneered in the mid-1990s by bands like Bulldoze, Terror Zone, and Neglect.
• Expanded over time to include more metal influences, featuring bands like Xibalba, Sunami, and Knocked Loose.
• Incorporates slam death metal riffs.

Musical Characteristics

• Low-pitched, shouted vocals, downtuned guitars, thrash metal-inspired drum rhythms.
• Palm-muted guitar riffs influenced by slam death metal.
• Hip hop-influenced vocals and imagery including graffiti, sagged pants, and baseball caps.

Cultural and Scene Influence

• Close association with hardcore crews, particularly New York's DMS and Boston's Friends Stand United.
• Originated as a response to white supremacist currents in the scene, integrating diverse cultural elements.

Key Bands and Albums

• Madball: Early merger of hardcore and metal grooves.
• Bulldoze: Their 1996 album "The Final Beatdown" gave the genre its name.
• Shattered Realm: Set a standard for the genre with their 2002 album "Broken Ties... Spoken Lies."
• Trapped Under Ice: Re-popularized the genre with influential albums.

Geographic Influence

• Strong scenes in New York City and New Jersey, with important venues like Melody Bar and The Stone Pony.
• London scene formed around "LBU" with bands like Knuckledust.

Evolution and Modern Influence

• Influenced nu metal and expanded into metalcore and deathcore.
• Recent resurgence in popularity with bands like Sunami gaining attention during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Related Genres

• Derivative forms include Nu metal and sass.
• Related to genres such as Groove metal, Metalcore, and Sludge metal.