Classic hardcore punk tracks. Recommended popular songs.

MirrorDEATH SIDE

DEATH SIDE – Mirror

DEATH SIDE is a band that began in the 1980s and is indispensable in the history of Japan’s hardcore scene.

They disbanded once in 1995, and were struck by tragedy when their original guitarist CHELSEA passed away in 2007.

However, they restarted in 2015 and have been actively performing overseas as well.

The band released only two original albums, but here I’d like to introduce Mirror, a track from their landmark 1989 debut album Wasted Dream.

It’s hardcore to the core, yet it clearly shows a strong influence from heavy metal—a ferocious sound where the explosive talent of their youth repeatedly runs wild.

It’s no wonder they’ve continued to exert a profound influence on bands overseas.

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ChangesHi-STANDARD

Changes

This song is a reconstruction of the legendary ballad created by the iconic heavy metal band Black Sabbath.

While preserving the melancholic yet beautiful melody of the original, the addition of distorted guitars and an urgent beat imbues it with a palpable strength amid the sadness.

Released in June 1999, it is included on the landmark album MAKING THE ROAD, which sold over 650,000 copies.

The song portrays the deep sorrow of a man whose beloved woman has left him, alongside his helpless attempt to accept the change in their relationship—its raw emotional expression is truly heart-wrenching.

It’s a track that gently stays by your side on nights weighed down by an overwhelming sense of loss.

Since You Been GoneHi-STANDARD

Hi Standard – Since You Been Gone

An impressive cover track included on their first album, “GROWING UP,” released in November 1995.

This song is a high-speed number that reconstructs Russ Ballard’s classic—covered by many artists over the years—into Hi-Standard’s brand of melodic hardcore.

While retaining the melancholy of the original, the straightforward punk beat and aggressive guitar riffs seem to transform the cry of heartbreak into a forward-looking energy.

It’s the kind of track that gives you a push when you want to shake something off or lift your spirits.

Miyakobe Fubukununchaku

Nunchaku – Itobe Fubuku -nuntyaku – itibuhubuku

Speaking of Nunchaku, they were a legendary band from Chiba that tore through the 1990s like a storm.

Alongside bands like SWITCH STYLE—which is also known for having Yusaku Maezawa, the CEO of START TODAY, as a member—and DEATH FILE, they helped lay the foundation of the Kashiwa City Hardcore scene.

Their uniquely odd yet flavorful Japanese lyrics, the interplay of twin vocals, and a hybrid sound that fused the savagery of hardcore with hip-hop-inspired beats went on to influence bands like Maximum the Hormone.

They were active for about five years and released around three albums, each one a masterpiece that stands tall in the history of ’90s hardcore and heavy rock.

Start with the title track of their final album, “Miyako-be Fubuku,” and get blown away by Nunchaku’s wildly original take on hardcore!

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Oi Oi OiCOBRA

COBRA 【Oi Oi Oi】

COBRA, the so-called Oi punk legends who continued performing intermittently into the 2010s, formed in 1982 in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture.

They’re also known for frequent lineup changes, with the steadfast vocalist YOSU-KO being the only constant.

In 1990, when the band’s third-era lineup came together—featuring founding member NAOKI, famed for his work with LAUGHIN’ NOSE and SA, and PON, the bassist from LAUGHIN’ NOSE—they released the album “Oi Oi Oi,” which became a hit, reaching No.

9 on the Oricon charts.

The title track, included on the album, stands out for its pop flavor, offering a contrast to Oi punk’s typically aggressive image.

While fans who prefer their indie-era sound may be divided on it, there’s no doubt it’s a historic album and a classic track.

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Farceaburadako

Aburadako – Farce with Lyrics (1986)

Aburadako, a band whose name exudes a distinctive sense of humor and whose uncategorizable musical style has etched them into Japanese music history.

Formed in 1983, they were initially discussed within a hardcore context, partly due to their label’s aesthetic at the time, yet they radiated a singular individuality that set them apart from other bands.

If you listen to Farce, the opening track of their 1985 debut album Aburadako—commonly called the “Wooden Disc”—with a hardcore image in mind, you might find yourself puzzled.

In 3 minutes and 45 seconds of bizarre brilliance, it weaves together Tatsuya Yoshida’s busy, intricate drumming (he’s also known for his work with Ruins), a sinuous bassline, new wave–inflected guitar, and enigmatic lyrics delivered in a curious vocal style.

I’d love for people to know that music like this exists.

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MOSH OR DIE!!!gamy

[gamy] 2015-10-24 at Kobe STAR CLUB [MOSH OR DIE]

A signature track by gamy bursting with speed and packed with intensity and energy.

It features lyrics that capture the frenzy of the mosh pit and an aggressive sound infused with elements of thrash metal.

Included on the EP “MOSH OR DIE!!!,” released in September 2010, it always ignites the crowd live.

It’s recommended not only for fans of hardcore punk and metal, but for anyone seeking energetic music.

A song you’ll want to throw yourself into with everything you’ve got at a live house.