Ray Harkins (Bloodguilt / Taken – vocals)
SPB: What are some of the coolest new developments or evolutions you see in the hardcore scene of 2025?
Harkins: The coolest developments in hardcore that I have witnessed in 2024 that I predict we will see coming into 2025 as well is the ways in which people are introduced to music now. There truly is no limit to the reach of music and aggressive music is no exception. Hardcore and punk have always had peaks and valleys of popularity and we are now in the midst of a boom. What makes it even cooler is that bands of all shapes and sizes can make their way. If you have career ambitions for your music, go that route. If you want to play in VFW Halls and basements to keep it truly DIY, you can do that but regardless of the path opportunities will be presented for your music in ways that never had been before. My only “fear” is that around music, especially DIY, is that you need context built around it…why people do the things they do, why scenes operate as they have. It doesn’t mean you need to adhere to those paths, but walk into spaces with your eyes open. Punk and hardcore has never been more exciting and vital, let’s keep it that way.
