The Best Hardcore Punk Bands

This hardcore punk bands list ranks the best hardcore bands and musicians by votes. This list of good hardcore punk bands and artists let’s you see who hardcore fans think are the best in hardcore punk. Hardcore punk first emerged in the 1970s after the initial wave of punk rock. Unlike it's predecessor, hardcore was a rawer, harder, edgier sound. Hardcore punk is often described as an extreme subgenre of punk that eschewed existing punk rock and New Wave music, and was a response to these genres. Hardcore generally disavows commercialism and anything mainstream. Almost ironically, however, some hardcore punk bands have achieved mainstream success later on in their respective careers.

So, what are the best hardcore punk bands? Any list of hardcore punk bands has to include the likes of Minor Threat, Black Flag, The Germs, Dead Kennedys, Bad Religion, Misfits, Operation Ivy, and Social Distortion. These bands are the best hardcore has to offer and with good reason. They turned hardcore punk into a genre to be reckoned with and though some commercial aspects exist inevitably, these hardcore bands should be proud of their efforts to push punk underground. 

That said, it's up to you to decide what are the best hardcore punk bands. If you notice that some of your top hardcore punk bands are missing, or that any new or underground acts should be included, add their names to the list. This list answers the questions "who are the best hardcore punk bands of all time?" and "who is the greatest hardcore punk musician ever?" Vote up the hardest and best hardcore punk bands, and vote down anyone who isn't heavy enough or any poseurs that ended up on the list.