TOO SOON? GARY’S BEST HARDCORE OF 2011… SO FAR

Axl did one. Vince did one. Even Corey did one. So, of course, I’ve gotta do one, right?

2011 has been a pretty decent year for hardcore so far, with solid releases from artists old and new. Unsurprisingly, then, my picks at this point in the year reflect that dynamic. I intentionally excluded EPs (Jello Biafra’s latest, for example) and singles, as well as all the non-hardcore stuff I’ve enjoyed this year (J. Mascis’ blissful solo album). So, without further ado, here are my picks!

Agnostic Front, My Life My Way (Nuclear Blast)
Defeater, Empty Days & Sleepless Nights (Bridge Nine)
Earth Crisis, Neutralize The Threat (Century Media)
Emmure, “Speaker Of The Dead (Victory)
Foundation, When The Smoke Clears (Bridge Nine)
Mother Of Mercy, IV: Symptons Of Existence (Bridge Nine)
New Lows, Harvest Of The Carcass (Deathwish)
Rot In Hell, As Pearls Before Swine (Deathwish)
Rotting Out, Street Prowl (6131)
Skin Like Iron, Arrival (React)
Title Fight, Shed (Side One Dummy)
Touché Amoré, Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me (Deathwish)
War Hungry, s/t (Six Feet Under)
Winds Of Plague, Against The World (Century Media)

Did I miss one of your favorites? Let me know about it in the comments section below!

-GS