A subgenre of hardcore punk, 80s hardcore is distinguished by its clear connection to 1970s and 1980s Punk Rock music, a low-budget D-I-Y approach to essentially everything, aggressive energy, rock and roll and surf influences and speed. As 80s hardcore evolved, thrash and heavy metal influences crept into the style, mainly because many of the bands had an interest in metal in common and due to the influence of the most popular acts such as Bad Brains and Black Flag , but also because of the advent of thrash, black metal, gothic metal and speed metal styles. By the mid-80s, several signed, formerly hardcore punk bands were playing fast but still somewhat trashy metal and attempting to appeal to more than one audience. Some of these bands referred to their hybridized style as crossover. Many unsigned bands and even a few of the signed artists (such as Government Issue and 7 Seconds) remained true to their roots. Still others blended into the developing post-punk and no wave scenes.

Musically, the distinctions discussed above are somewhat particularistic, but they definitely had profound meaning to those of us who were heavily involved in the 80s Hardcore scene.