Best Hardcore Band

It’s no surprise that Abuse of Power is the de facto leader of Atlanta hardcore. The group’s View of the Few single, and a cover of Car Vs. Driver’s Blame, are understated and message-oriented while avoiding pedantics. Each song defies the lack of diversity that plagues hardcore by the numbers with melodic riffs, sluggish/furious breakdowns, and vocals that elicit call-and-response, old-school-pile-on vibes. Such a tight, distinctive sound sets a high precedent for all of their counterparts to follow.

Photo courtesy of Farrah Skeiky

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Atlanta’s hardcore scene has been on a creative high, with power violence masters Cheap Art leading the charge. In the past year, the band has expanded both its sound and its membership, going from a duo to a four-piece since forming in December of 2011. Cheap Art’s DIY commitment to play anywhere at any time ended up putting the band in contact with two out-of-town hardcore labels that split-released its Desocialized 7-inch this summer. The group is quickly cementing itself as a standard bearer in a thriving hardcore scene. www.cheapart.bandcamp.com. less...