One band absolutely dominated the hardcore conversation this year, and they did it by working way, way harder than anyone else. Affable Boston bruisers Haywire spent 2025 playing sweaty, cathartic, extremely fun live shows in every VFW Hall and skate park from sea to shining sea. Within 12 months, they rocked venues in all 50 states, no exaggeration. Their sets, captured and broadcast by whoever was brave enough to hold up cellphones in high stagedive-density areas, only grew bigger and wilder. Along the way, Haywire got really, really good at performing their exceedingly simple basher anthems,. They are a grassroots sensation, a legend in the making. But Haywire's debut full-length Conditioned For Demolition came out last year. Their only 2025 record was Shirts Vs. Skins, a split EP with No Guard. So this is a Chappell Roan 2024 situation. I can't salute Haywire's golden moment on this list, and this list is missing something without them.
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