Review: “Nowhere Bound” by Death Before Dishonor

“Nowhere Bound is a collection of statements and observations that represent our mindset through the past 6 years since our last record. There are familiar themes from past records, like loyalty & friendship, but we also take on entirely new topics for us, like describing what it’s like to maintain your principles as you get older. Whether it’s a song about personal conflict, mental illness, or venting on the state of the world, these are thoughts that cloud our minds until we put pen to paper and address them.” ~ Ben Hilton, drums

It may have taken a while to get here but Boston Massachusetts Hardcore legends Death Before Dishonor have reached the sixth studio album mark with “Nowhere Bound”, a record that ironically enough, appears six years after its predecessor, 2019’s “Unfinished Business“. Produced, engineered and mixed by Chris “Zeuss” Harris (Rob Zombie, Hatebreed, Bleeding Through), it was recorded at both Rock Valley Studio in Easthampton and Planet-Z in Wilbraham. Vocalist Bryan Harris, bassist Greg Chihoski and drummer Ben Hilton alongside guitarist duo Ben Kelly and Justin Viera don’t need to wonder where the past twenty five years have gone, they’ve seen the whole world several times over.

Is any album complete without an “Intro” at this point? Death Before Dishonor put theirs to good use with chunky Hardcore riffs and mid-tempo percussion creating 100 seconds of headbangable groove that they could have called mood lighting. It will probably sound like a cliché but it sets the tone for first cut proper “Inherit The Pain“, Harris venting about feeling like he’s been cursed from birth. A stone cold winner with instant appeal, it’s exactly what you’d expect from not only this band but also the likes of Deez Nuts or Lionheart. Menacing and sinister with beatdown vibes “Die Alone” is another sub two minute stab in the dark, perfect for anyone with a short attention span and a love of classic Hardcore but “Pushed To The Edge” stands out that little bit more. Gang chanted vocal parts that you can get involved with meet the slick, groove laden riffs head on as lyrics about being reaching your limits one last time resonate. For “Will To Fight” Death Before Dishonor take a leaf out of the Hatebreed playbook, turning up the intensity with their fists in the air in the land of hypocrisy. This one is designed from the ground up for mosh pits at German Festivals where Hardcore is worshipped and it will go down a storm. Once bitten, twice shy “Overruled” is a thinly veiled socially and politically aware tune with yet more lyrics that resonate, asking how you can trust what someone has to say when it doesn’t hold up to question. It’s one of those cuts, impossible to ignore, that proves that this band are as relevant now as they have ever been, if not more so.

There is absolutely no sign of a slow down or softening up by the time we reach the middle of the record, “Forgive And Forget” being both fast and heavy as it matches the anger the five piece have for their enemies. Some might argue it might have been better titled “Never Forgive, Never Forget” but it doesn’t matter for one second if this finger pointing rage fest. Hell, they may even have to play it twice back-to-back in their set just in case someone blinked and missed it. The bass line goes deep with “Thick As Thieves“, a track that builds on classic Hardcore themes of brotherhood, unity and strength through adversity. Another one with instant scratch card appeal, it will bring you back to this album time and time again, like an alcoholic wanting just one more drink. No one can escape “Life’s Grip” and if you think you’re going to run away from the bitch that is Karma, it ain’t happening and this track is exactly why. You made your bed, now lay in it. Socially and politically aware “End Of Days” bleeds on the cost of living crisis and how it has driven the standard of life to none. A powerful statement piece of a track, it lands like wrecking ball, bleak and yet real as the fiercely delivered message sinks in. At 162 seconds title track “Nowhere Bound” is the longest cut on the record, a composition of tight rhythmic abrasions with subtle tempo changes to keep you on your toes and bring the two-steppers to the mosh pit. It doesn’t say woe is me but it offers lyrical introspection, the weight of the world weighing heavy on the head that wears the crown. A no frills classic Hardcore record that does exactly what it says on the tin, Death Before Dishonor do what they do best with “Nowhere Bound“, taking no risks but getting all the reward… [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Intro
2. Inherit The Pain
3. Die Alone
4. Pushed To The Edge
5. Will To Fight
6. Overruled
7. Forgive And Forget
8. Thick As Thieves
9. Life’s Grip
10. End Of Days
11. Nowhere Bound

“Nowhere Bound” by Death Before Dishonor is out 16th May 2025 via Bridge Nine Records