"Hardcore died in 1986," says Steven Blush, author of the book "American Hardcore," which was later adapted into a film. Roger Miret, the legendary singer of the equally legendary Agnostic Front, counters with his own life philosophy: "Hardcore for Life." The scene was never free of contradictions. "New York City Hardcore Vol. 2 - The Sound Of The Big Apple" is the second part of a quest to explore the essence and significance of one of the most exciting youth movements of the late 20th century. Was it merely a way for troubled youth from broken families to cope with their frustrations? Or was it a defiant middle finger to the despised bourgeois society? Perhaps it was even an attempt to establish a counterculture? The book addresses these and other intriguing questions through 19 exclusive interviews and 61 new band entries, placing great emphasis on these topics.