Hardcore- Continuous Relevence?

I will refrain from going into hardcore's history. Most people reading this will already have the understanding of it's roots in punk, the changes that have happened since the late 70s that have made it evolve and shift to today's attitudes, however what I am interested in is how it is helping the current generation. What is hardcore doing that helps the youth? What is hardcore besides a genre of music?

Hardcore, punk, alternative music, it is around because a fraction of society hate becoming just another person. This fraction do not like to conform, they would rather stand out than become a clone, or a sheep. Hence the political stances, hence the clothing code, hence the staunch religious views.

Okay so hardcore has always been a platform for freedom of expression. One of my friends describes it as 'an outlet of anger, and a way of getting rid of the emotions you bottle up'. So what? Many genres of music do that, but not perhaps so watered down. Where some bands from other music backgrounds may talk about how upset they are, or how a relationship failed, usually there are some 'happy' songs, some songs that give you hope. In hardcore, especially today, there is a clear message. It's not going to be okay, there is no hope for me. It is not a sob story, it is not seeking attention, it is just what is says.

Bands such as Ceremony, Trap Them, Trash Talk, Cold World portray a 'go it alone and face your own concequences' facade on their music and their ever rising popularity is clear that it is a view shared by the majority. Indeed it is a largely God Free environment, though a small number of Chrisitan hardcore bands do exist.
But not everyone does share this view, the 'posi' hardcore view is of friends, family, being united for the music and sharing the load of life's trials. Set Your Goals, Good Clean Fun, H20, Death Is Not Glamorous and many many other bands, old and new share the mentality that life may let you down, but you have people that will help you all the way, so long as you stay true to your roots, and your values.

So many people may wish they could 'believe' in better, but with life can come a lot of disillusion. People aren't always 'around' you there to pick you up in your time of need, and when things come apart and come crashing down, where do you look?Since they don't have any belief in a God, perhaps they would rather believe in nothing than fear belief in something that might fail again.

I haven't been into hardcore long, I've been aware of it since I was sixteen, I'm twenty one this year, older, hopefully wiser too. I have learnt a lot about the scene I'm involved in, about the traditions, the people, and do not get me wrong, I am proud (most of the time) to be apart of something like hardcore. I love the people, the atmosphere, the traditions, the music. It's all very special to me, and I love the way I can relate to the music.

It is starting to get a bit repetative, though I don't outrightly dislike that aspect, but the cathartic method of 'talking through' your problems has been around since Freud. And all of us offload our problems in some shape or form. With the internet, blogging (aha!), mobile phones, we have infinate ways of letting out our inner angst, sometimes to complete strangers.

Hardcore is an ongoing angst though. Talking about your problems is a part of a hope that you'll recover somehow, but it a vicious circle where hardcore is concerned. Nothing gets solved. There isn't any hope anything will get any better, as there is no a hope, so you get the repeat of how bad it is. How much you hate it, but you can't stop it. Is this really all hardcore has to offer? A pedestal for broken people just to become even more broken?

I will probably add to this when I have thought more about it.