Some of the best UK hardcore bands you need to listen to right now

The UK hardcore scene is thriving like never before. The energy, creativity, and passion pouring out of the scene right now is truly electrifying. A new wave of bands is tearing through venues, blending ferocious energy with raw emotion and pushing the genre into bold new territory. Whether metallic riffs, stomping two-step beats, or cathartic singalongs, the UK is delivering some of the most exciting and urgent hardcore in years.

From sweaty basement shows to packed-out festival stages, this new generation is building on the legacy of the scene’s greats while carving out their identity. Hardcore in the UK has always thrived on passion, DIY ethics, and a fierce sense of community, and right now, that spirit is stronger than ever.

If you want to experience it for yourself, you won’t have to wait long—several of the bands on this list are set to bring absolute chaos to festival stages this year, including Outbreak Festival, Northern Unrest, and Burn It Down. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just diving into the scene, these are 10 names you need to know.

CAULDRON

Birmingham’s Cauldron are at the forefront of the UK’s ’90s metalcore revival, blending the raw intensity of early Converge and Integrity with modern hardcore aggression. Their sound is all crushing breakdowns, chaotic riffs, and feral vocals—pure, unfiltered violence.

Over the past few years, they’ve built a strong reputation for blistering live shows. With a relentless work ethic and a growing cult following, Cauldron proves that metalcore’s roots still hit just as hard. Catch them wrecking festival stages this year—you won’t walk away unscathed.

CANNONBALL

Northern England’s Cannonball are injecting fresh energy into the UK straight edge scene. This ferocious four-piece dropped their debut EP last summer, hitting the ground running with blistering shows that immediately turned heads.

Fast forward to 2025, and their latest EP has only solidified their reputation as one of the country’s most promising hardcore bands. Hard-hitting, no-frills, and packed with conviction, Cannonball are bringing pure energy to every stage they hit.

UK straight edge is alive and well, and Cannonball are ensuring its in safe hands—catch them this year before they inevitably blow up.

HIGH VIS

Blending hardcore grit with soaring post-punk melodies, High Vis are carving out their own lane in the UK scene. Their sound is urgent, anthemic, and emotionally charged, channeling the raw energy of classic hardcore while infusing it with introspective lyricism and shimmering guitar work.

With a reputation for powerful, cathartic live performances, High Vis have been winning over both hardcore crowds and beyond. Their rise has been nothing short of meteoric, and with more eyes on them than ever, now is the time to get on board.

PEST CONTROL

Leeds’ Pest Control are leading the charge for crossover thrash in the UK, ripping through every stage they touch with high-speed riffs and blistering intensity. If you like hardcore with a side of whiplash-inducing thrash metal, this is your band.

Their furious, high-energy live shows have put them on the map, and with yet another Outbreak Festival slot lined up, 2025 is looking huge for them.

PERP WALK

Perp Walk are fast, vicious, and unapologetically raw, delivering a stripped-back brand of hardcore that hits straight to the gut. Their sound is pure energy—short, sharp, and packed with venom, proudly flying the flag for South West Chain Punk.

Their incredible set at Outbreak last year turned plenty of heads, and they’ve kept that momentum rolling, recently providing UK support for SPY. With a reputation for feral, no-nonsense live shows, Perp Walk are only getting stronger. If you like your hardcore ugly, fast, and unfiltered, this is a band you need to know.

PINTGLASS

Brash, belligerent, and built for the mosh, Pintglass deliver pure, street-level beatdown hardcore with a tongue-in-cheek edge. Mixing bludgeoning riffs, guttural vocals, and rowdy gang chants, their sound is tailor-made for violent, no-holds-barred live shows.

Whether they’re starting fights or soundtracking them, Pintglass have built a reputation as one of the UK’s most chaotic and divisive hardcore bands. Love them or hate them, they’re impossible to ignore.

DYNAMITE

London’s Dynamite are bringing back the art of groove-heavy, knuckle-dragging hardcore. Their sound is fast, stompy, and packed with attitude, drawing from both hardcore’s metallic edge and its raw, punk roots.

With feral live energy and a reputation for unhinged shows, Dynamite are proving themselves to be one of the UK’s most exciting young bands. Expect absolute chaos when they hit Northern Unrest this year.

T.S. WARSPITE

If D-beat hardcore with a metallic bite is your thing, T.S. Warspite are an essential listen. Their sound is relentless, unpolished, and built for total warfare, fusing hardcore punk aggression with crushing riffs and anthemic rage.

Their live sets are pure, high-speed devastation, making them one of the most ferocious bands in the UK right now. Prepare for mayhem when they hit Northern Unrest—this is war.

CRUELTY

Bringing a dark, suffocating intensity to the UK scene, Cruelty fuse metallic hardcore with haunting atmospherics, creating a sound that’s both brooding and brutal. Their influences range from 90s metallic hardcore to modern sludge and doom, resulting in a uniquely oppressive heaviness.

Known for their crushing, immersive live performances, they’re set to bring devastation to Burn It Down this year. If you like your hardcore bleak, suffocating, and utterly punishing, Cruelty are the band for you.

XAPOTHECARYX

One of the UK’s most vital new vegan straight edge bands, XAPOTHACARYX have been making serious waves since their arrival just a couple of years ago. Their sound is fast, metallic, and utterly relentless, fusing classic straight edge fury with a modern, sharpened edge.

With their no-compromise ethos and blistering live energy, they’ve quickly built a reputation as one of the most exciting names in UK hardcore. Vegan straight edge has never sounded heavier—XAPOTHACARYX are here to crush.

Words: Andy Nile