Candy are an American metallic hardcore band formed in Richmond, Virginia in 2017 by guitarist Michael "Cheddar" Quick. Emerging from the modern hardcore underground, the band quickly gained attention for their ferocious blend of metallic hardcore, powerviolence, industrial noise, and experimental electronics.
Across their career, Candy have developed a reputation as one of the most innovative and uncompromising bands in contemporary hardcore, consistently pushing beyond traditional genre boundaries while maintaining overwhelming intensity.
Candy’s sound combines crushing metallic hardcore riffs, powerviolence aggression, industrial textures, electronic manipulation, and noise-driven experimentation. Their music frequently explores themes of alienation, societal collapse, anxiety, violence, technology, and personal transformation.
The band are especially recognised for evolving from the raw hardcore assault of their early releases into increasingly ambitious territory that incorporates industrial music, techno influences, noise, and electronic sound design.
Candy Says (2017) – explosive debut EP introducing the band's violent fusion of hardcore, metal, and powerviolence.
Good to Feel (2018) – acclaimed debut album that established Candy as one of the most exciting new names in modern hardcore through its relentless aggression and genre-bending approach.
Heaven Is Here (2022) – breakthrough Relapse Records release incorporating industrial noise, electronics, and experimental production into their already devastating sound.
It's Inside You (2024) – ambitious third album further expanding their industrial, electronic, and metallic hardcore influences while earning widespread acclaim from hardcore and metal audiences alike.
Candy are regarded as one of the most forward-thinking bands in modern hardcore, praised for combining the violence of metallic hardcore with industrial experimentation and electronic innovation. Community reaction to recent releases has frequently highlighted the band's willingness to evolve while retaining their crushing heaviness.
Fans of artists such as Code Orange, Nails, and Full of Hell are likely to appreciate their relentless aggression, experimental edge, and willingness to challenge hardcore conventions.
All Candy releases we carry are official physical formats only, focusing on vinyl and CD editions sourced from authorised labels and distributors.
We also stock official Candy clothing, representing one of the most innovative and uncompromising forces in contemporary metallic hardcore.
Candy merch is available through Relapse Records - browse the full roster here.
Candy are a big part of the modern American Hardcore scene, so if you fancy exploring more like-minded artists, have a look through our HARDCORE CATEGORY. You might also like to read our blog on the different subgenres of Punk.
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