Blackened hardcore is the fusion of black metal's chaos, dark atmosphere and melodies with the energy, aggression and speed of hardcore sub-genres such as crust and grindcore or the urgency and emotional expressionism of screamo.

Blackened hardcore is closely related to post-black metal, blackened sludge metal and neocrust.

Such bands include Celeste, Regarde Les Hommes Tomber, This Gift Is a Curse, The Secret, Hexis, Plebeian Grandstand, Oathbreaker, Dephosphorus, Wolvhammer, Downfall of Gaia, Tempest, Hierophant, Cowards, Cohol, Vestiges, Niboowin and Young and in the Way.