The tribal unity of the ‘Core’ Scene in Nor-Cal 2005

There I was, just a kid really. Going to shows. Oftentimes, at the folsom lake boardwalk. To see the latest deathcore, metalcore, or hardcore bands.

The scene was intense. There was a fusion unity of everyone. People dressed like a union of every genre. Honor was felt at every show, near the mosh pit.

Anyway, without going all metal or scene crazy and listng endless bands like so many do, I will tell you the amazing thing I witnessed when being amongst the sacramento hardcore scene, around 2005’ish.

Unity and honor. Especially around the circle pit. People came to release their aggressions (which are often intense) in the pit. They did so in a somewhat responsible manner, none of us favored the dickheads much who wanted to kick people when they were down. What I witnessed was honor.

Some of the shows were at people’s houses in cameron park, california. A place now becoming a new demographic of sacramento. It was always brutal, but always honorable. The bands really shook the places they went to. The thing is though, is that it gave us all a place to feel together. People of any gender or nationality could congregate in or around the mosh pit. Everyone always stood around the pit with their arm tensed to show a control factor in keeping the pit within the pit. Horrible things did happen inside the pit, but

Regardless of what people think of ‘hardcore dancing’ as, there were tribal elements involved. Specifically from Africa and the way tribal dancers behave, or move. The movie ace ventura when he goes to africa shows this rather explicily when he dances with a tribe (awkwardly) and shows that the moves look much like hardcore dancers in a hardcore pit.

It was the only time in my life when I felt true unity, true honor, and true valor. Anyone could come, anyone could mosh, or not. People always tried to be responsible, but naturally, douchebags did inevitably ruin the scene, like all good things on planet earth.

The core scene is a phenomona in all respects which encompasses several different music genres and has splintered into yet even more genres today, like ‘slam’.

I have seen things at metal shows which were demonic, like when tim lambesis was probably in his satanist phase (lead singer of as I lay dying). One should note that he did go to prison for a period of time and hopefully has a renewed faith of god since. He probably does, since as I lay dying’s new music is incredibly inspiring.