Straight edge hardcore has a new force in the Midwest. Illinois-based xNULLIFYx has just dropped their debut EP—a blistering release rooted in metallic hardcore and straight edge conviction. Out now via New Morality Zine, the EP builds on the momentum the band started with their single “Bottom Feeder”, and proves they’re not just riding hype—they’re here to hit hard and mean it.
Formed when guitarist Chris Bayless shared a demo online, the band came together almost instantly. Vocalist Rob added his own vocals to the track without being asked, and something clicked. With the addition of Shiloh, James, and Gabe, xNULLIFYx took shape and quickly started building a following.
Live footage from their recent set on Haywire’s US tour shows fans already shouting lyrics to songs that hadn’t even been released yet. “Every show is chaos of the best kind,” Bayless says. The band draws influence from heavyweights like Blistered, Foundation, All Out War, and Earth Crisis, blending brutality with purpose.
Though several members have played in other projects, this marks the first straight edge band for both Bayless and Rob—something they’ve wanted for years. “Straight edge means so much to all of us,” Bayless told No Echo. That passion bleeds through every track.
More music is already in the works, with talk of a second EP on the horizon before year’s end, and plans to continue playing wherever they can. “We won’t be ignored,” Bayless promises.
🡲 Read the full interview at No Echo:
xNULLIFYx: Illinois Straight Edge Unit Unleash a Ferocious Debut EP
