I found MCBloodlines and it is a brand new hardcore SMP that is invite only. It is built to make people play in groups and slowly build up real civilizations over time.
The cool part is only players who are already invited can invite new people. It makes the community grow in a more natural way and it helps keep random trolls out.
There are also secret tweaks and mechanics that you are not given guides for. Players have to figure stuff out on their own which makes paying attention actually matter.
It also has a clan and family system so you do not just spawn alone in a hardcore world. You join because someone invited you so you start as part of a group and a story that keeps going.
