UK hardcore punks Grail Guard come out swinging with “People Just Like You,” a single that doesn’t waste time on atmosphere or subtlety. This is direct, confrontational hardcore, built on tension, speed, and a sense of urgency that feels very much rooted in the UK scene’s no-nonsense tradition.
The track hits hard from the first second. Guitars are thick and abrasive without getting muddy, the drums push forward with discipline rather than chaos, and the vocals land with a clipped aggression that feels deliberate and focused. There’s anger here, but it’s controlled. Not flailing, not theatrical, just sharp and pointed.
“People Just Like You” feels like a reaction rather than a concept. It has that snap of something written in response to real frustration, real situations, real people. The delivery is confrontational without being cartoonish, and that gives the song weight. It sounds like it’s aimed at someone, not at the void.
What makes Grail Guard stand out is their restraint. They don’t overload the track with breakdowns or gimmicks. They let the riff, the rhythm, and the voice do the work. That simplicity makes the impact stronger. It feels grounded, physical, and meant for close quarters, not for headphones alone.
There’s a strong sense of identity here. Grail Guard are not trying to soften hardcore or make it palatable. They lean into its bluntness and use it with purpose. “People Just Like You” sounds like a band that knows exactly what lane they’re in and has no interest in leaving it.
Short, aggressive, and unapologetic, this single does what hardcore is supposed to do. It confronts, it provokes, and it leaves a mark.
