There’s something uncontainable about the hardcore scene in the Southeast. The energy, the rawness, and the full-force attack that bands like Raleigh, North Carolina’s Fading Signal and Orlando’s Miracle deliver aren’t just performances – they’re a declaration. A declaration of urgency, of fight, and of community.
Released under the solid backing of labels like Armageddon Records, Force of Reckoning, and The Coming Strife, this split is a sonic weapon—four tracks, two bands, one mission: to bring Southeast hardcore right to the frontlines, where it belongs. The blistering attack comes in two phases. Let’s go.
With Fading Signal, you’re hit immediately by a blend of relentless 2-step rhythms and anthemic gang vocals that practically beg you to grab the mic. Their track Concealer kicks off with a high-energy charge, one that’s practically designed for moshing and piling on at shows. It’s the type of track that wraps you up in its momentum and drives you into a chaotic, yet cathartic release.
And then comes So Close to Stone—a track that strips away the complexity to charge ahead with the kind of galloping energy reminiscent of early straight edge anthems. It’s an adrenaline rush of a song, the halfway tempo shift acting as a Spartan battle cry, only to build into a ferocious release that feels like the energy of a room exploding. If you’ve ever had a soft spot for Have Heart’s “The Things We Carry”, this one will hit you square in the chest.
On the flip side, Miracle delivers an entirely different beast. Their first track, Forever Flame, opens with a metallic intro that feels like a gun being cocked, only to unleash a barrage of drum hits and riffage that explode into chaos. This is metallic hardcore at its most intense, and before you know it, the track spirals into dynamic 2-step-friendly mayhem.
It’s unpredictable, it’s fast, and it’s filled with shifts that keep you on edge, leaving no time to settle into the comfort of a predictable pattern.
When Will You Learn takes it up another notch, paying homage to the metallic hardcore and vegan metalcore of the ’90s with a modern twist. There’s no question—this is a battle in audio form. Dynamic, relentless, and packed with enough shifts and breakdowns to keep you engaged from start to finish. By the end of this split, it’s clear—both bands bring something to the table, and neither of them is holding back.
This is what Southeast hardcore is all about: energy, action, and a refusal to be ignored. This release is the soundtrack for anyone who’s ever fought for something—whether in the pit or out in the real world.
Miracle may be a relatively new name to some, but their origins go deeper into the Florida hardcore scene.
Initially formed under the name Sentinel from 2018 to 2022, the band features members from the hardcore outfit Memento.
Their journey to becoming Miracle was fueled by a blend of personal loss, raw emotion, and a deep connection to their influences, particularly the Swedish hardcore band Shield.
As guitarist Ryan shared with NoEcho webzine, Shield was a massive influence on their sound, setting the tone for their forthcoming release. But it’s not just about sonic aggression. The band’s lyrical content, especially on this release, stems from vocalist Jordan’s personal struggles with grief and anger after losing his mother to cancer.
The band’s debut EP was released in June 2023.
The intensity of this emotional catharsis is infused into every track, bringing a unique depth to Miracle’s hardcore assault.
As a fully vegan band, their ethos extends beyond the music, standing firmly in their beliefs while translating that passion into a powerful, aggressive sound.
Fading Signal emerged onto the hardcore scene in 2019 when a group of musicians from Raleigh, North Carolina, felt the local community was missing a more straightforward hardcore band. The band quickly came together, and soon after, they teamed up with To Live a Lie Records, who released their 3-song demo in 2020.
Despite the pandemic disrupting their live show plans, Fading Signal stayed productive, focusing on writing new material. In January 2021, they dropped their EP Nothing Feels Good Anymore, a record that captured the heavy emotional toll of depression, heartbreak, and loss.
Vocalist Jordy described the lyrics as a personal confrontation with these struggles, instead of lashing out at the world. The EP was a step up musically from their earlier work, blending melody with high-energy hardcore, designed to keep the pit moving.
Since then, Fading Signal has released two more records: Long Ago and Far Away in November 2021 and Toy Soldier in December 2022.
