Boston hardcore earned its brutal reputation through blood, sweat, and more blood long ago, and continues to evolve and thrive. Now, there's a new kid on the block carrying the torch for aggressive, break-your-teeth hardcore punk—Ascend/Descend, the virulent brainchild of vocalist Michelle Dugan. "A/D started as a studio project for Michelle Dugan to get some hate out; she had lost her home to a fire. It sort of morphed into a band. Sonically, it's an homage to old school hardcore records.