30 Straight Edge Records to Check Out for Edge Day 2023

Magnitude have already established themselves as one of the leading bands in the current straight edge hardcore scene, and Of Days Renewed… is another hammer blow that strengthens their legacy. It rides the same wave of fury as To Whatever Fateful End, yet somehow manages to hit even harder, giving them two back-to-back albums packed with straight edge anthems. That is without even mentioning their excellent demo and EP. Their sound is steeped in bold ’90s hardcore swagger, with chunky grooves and amped-up two-step sequences forming its backbone. The latest offering may be a little too polished and overproduced for my punk tastes, but there is no denying Magnitude’s towering presence. They are heading straight for the hardcore hall of fame alongside the legends who wore thick Xs on their hands before them.

Drawing power from the likes of Foundation, Morning Again, and Earth Crisis, California’s vegan straight edge powerhouse Power Alone strike with headbanging breakdowns, savage dive bombs, and a metallic onslaught that demands your full attention. Vocalist Eva Hall roars with intensity, tearing into social injustice and systemic rot with every line. While some bands disappear into self-indulgence, Power Alone aim their hardcore directly at capitalism, religion, and the suffocating grip of industrial civilization. It is raw, confrontational, and packed with mosh-worthy anthems delivered with a ferocity that demands action. For Power Alone, there is no compromise and no half-measure. Their message is loud, clear, and uncompromising.

Norwich’s Hour of Reprisal have undergone a blistering evolution since their first tracks appeared two years ago. Their debut album, A New World From the Ashes of the Old, borrows its title from a quote often attributed to the anarchist Buenaventura Durruti during the Spanish Civil War. Cramming seven tracks into just over 20 minutes, the album is a merciless display of hardcore power and ferocity. The band attack with a feral mixture of relentless hardcore, spine-chilling chords, and scorching harmonics, topped by vocals that hit like a freight train. With standouts such as “1312,” “Failed State,” and “Rat Nest,” their crosshairs are firmly fixed on the UK’s dark underbelly, particularly the British police and their long record of harboring racists, rapists, and fascist sympathizers. Think Doom’s “Police Bastard,” but reinforced with earth-shattering breakdowns and a fierce straight edge backbone.

Following their debut EP, Straight Edge Violence, Eyeteeth return to forge another path of resistance with State Funeral. Across six blistering tracks, they fuse ferocious hardcore with a gale-force powerviolence attack. Each song reflects the band’s radical politics and the growing wave of discontent across the UK. The guitars growl with metallic wrath, the drums explode in dissent, and the fierce vocals radiate unadulterated revolt, dripping with venom and contempt for a system visibly collapsing before our eyes. “We don’t come in peace. We come for vengeance.”

Joining the ranks of politically charged UK straight edge bands such as Hour of Reprisal and Eyeteeth, xapothecaryx ignite a veganarchist fervor with their debut EP, Purity of Flesh, S(p)oiled by Greed. Amid the frantic collision of hardcore and metal, these songs paint a bleak picture of social decay. The guitars screech and roar like the anguished cries of exploited animals and oppressed people. The closing track, “Patricide,” is a blazing anthem of queer pride and rebellion against the growing shadow of right-wing reaction. Far from being another empty outcry amid the sociopolitical storm, this record takes a firm and passionate stand for both animal and human liberation.

Drawing from a rich hardcore lineage that includes Final Fight, Allegiance, Internal Affairs, and the iconic Strife, LA’s Berthold City are firmly rooted in hardcore tradition. With fiery riffs, resonant drums, and lyrics that encourage reflection, their latest album feels both refreshing and deeply connected to the classic US hardcore sound. While the LP follows the standard set by their 2022 release, When Words Are Not Enough, it brings plenty of its own energy and character. True to the band’s origins, A Moment in Time moves naturally between uplifting melodies, weighty anthems, and fast youth crew-inspired rhythms, creating a well-rounded and highly engaging hardcore record.

Year of the Knife’s much-anticipated album, No Love Lost, arrives under devastating circumstances following the horrific tour van accident near Salt Lake City that left every member of the band seriously injured. Vocalist Madison Watkins suffered particularly severe injuries, including multiple broken bones and a traumatic brain injury, making her compelling debut on this album even more affecting. Bassist Brandon Watkins remarked, “It’s Madi’s big debut, and she truly shines despite the odds.” Drummer Andrew Kisielewski, who also endured multiple surgeries and months of rehabilitation, described it as “20 solid minutes of pure YOTK passion.” Every member poured their heart into the album, merging their individual influences into a sound that is unmistakably their own. Proceeds from No Love Lost will contribute to the band’s continued recovery. We send them our love and heartfelt wishes for a full recovery.

Massachusetts straight edge band Vantage Point have shared two tracks from their upcoming album, Against Myself, due to be released on November 10 through Triple B Records. The album promises nine raw tracks centered on self-forgiveness and personal introspection. Formed in 2016, the band have already released three notable EPs, most recently An Answer You Won’t Find in 2019. Deeply rooted in the Boston hardcore landscape, they have shared members with bands such as C4, Chaos Cross, and Final Gasp. Drawing inspiration from Inside Out, Turning Point, and Burn, Vantage Point bring together introspective lyrics and abrasive hardcore. I cannot wait to hear the final result.

Florida vegan straight edge band Envision took some time to grow on me, yet they have continued to raise the stakes with every step. Their latest album, The Gods That Built Tomorrow, is rooted in hardcore tradition but approaches it from a fresh and compelling perspective. The band have mastered the art of combining hard-hitting rhythms with intricate guitar work, creating a sound that grabs hold and refuses to let go. The album acknowledges their roots while confidently moving into new territory. Blending heavy metal with ’90s-style straight edge hardcore may not be an entirely new idea, but Envision do it exceptionally well, placing this record in a class of its own.

Drawing inspiration from the early Lockin’ Out Records sound and the youth crew revival, Anklebiter sidestep the macho clichés often associated with hardcore. Their debut demo last June hinted at their potential, but To Live and Withstand takes everything much further. Opening with the dynamic instrumental “Northeast Straight Edge,” the record quickly detonates into anthems such as “I Am…” and “Daredevil.” Despite the rapid-fire pace, every track is packed with variety, infectious hooks, and melody. The lyrics carry a potent mixture of desperation, frustration, and angst. Standing proudly with X-marked hands, Anklebiter channel a spirit that feels simultaneously aggressive and welcoming. This is blisteringly fast and passionately angry hardcore delivered with nothing but pure intent.

Featuring members of Haunted Life, Expired Youth, and Bystander, Chicago straight edge band Decline have been delivering fist-pumping, anthemic hardcore since 2013. They have consistently supported marginalized and oppressed communities while speaking out against injustice toward both humans and animals. Following the momentum of their 2018 EP, Own Your Words, and a memorable West Coast tour, the COVID lockdown became an unexpected period of creativity for the band. The result is their 2023 LP, Broken, released by the iconic New Age Records. Featuring eight powerful tracks and a striking screen-printed B-side, the album reaffirms Decline’s consistent sound and dedication to their cause. True to the political essence of hardcore, Broken is a bold reminder that the genre remains resilient and unyielding in the face of social injustice.

I recently came across a punk in a Facebook discussion group complaining about the conservative leanings and questionable politics of youth crew bands. There may be some truth to this criticism when it comes to a handful of musicians from the original US youth crew era who became Trump supporters later in life, but they hardly represent the scene as a whole. On the contrary, contemporary youth crew revival bands such as Germany’s Remain champion inclusivity and openly confront injustice both within hardcore and in the wider world. Across six fervent tracks, Remain present the youth crew spirit not only as a source of self-worth and camaraderie, but also as a vehicle for social liberation and unwavering solidarity with the oppressed. This is the progressive face of youth crew hardcore: not a passing trend, but the voice of a defiant generation.

Formed as an international collaboration built around a shared vegan straight edge ethos, Remain Sane bring together Czech hardcore veteran Milan, known from Balaclava, Kovadlina, and Protijed, and Swedish musician Mattias, who has played in Anchor, Gust, and Disavow, among many others. Their debut record comes through Coffee Breath Records, a Czech label that directs 100 percent of its sales toward benefit projects, demonstrating that this collaboration is about more than profit or nostalgia. Across four powerful tracks, the EP carries echoes of legendary bands such as Drift Again, Shield, and Abhinanda. Although the entire record offers plenty of lyrical depth, the third track, “Who I Am,” stands out as a quintessential straight edge anthem. This is more than music. It is a statement of deep devotion and commitment.

Belgium’s metallic hardcore legacy, stretching back to the iconic H8000 scene, finds a powerful continuation in xDEVOURx. Their latest offering, Flowers of Fire, Walls of Water, arrives through Ugly And Proud Records and reinforces the band’s place in the current European straight edge hardcore scene. Across ten tracks, the album delivers a rich mixture of down-tuned metallic riffs reminiscent of All Out War, Arkangel, and Congress, all driven by a relentless rhythmic pulse. The raw vocals and striking spoken-word interludes paint a grim picture of environmental collapse and social fragmentation. As seasoned straight edge warriors, their message is clear: recognize what is happening, take action, and resist the tide of complacency.

Swedish vegan straight edge veterans Disavow have been delivering raw energy since their 2016 demo and the following year’s Half Empty EP. It was their 2019 full-length and subsequent European tour alongside Wake of Humanity and CLEARxCUT, however, that truly demonstrated their power. Following a period of silence prolonged by pandemic restrictions, Disavow have roared back with On the Verge, an explosive EP for a world teetering on the edge of collapse. Its four tracks release years of pent-up frustration through fierce rhythms and sharply written lyrics. This time, the band fuse the intensity of straight edge hardcore with shades of powerviolence and a distinctly crusty undertone.

The vibrant pulse of straight edge hardcore remains alive and kicking on Australia’s distant shores. I have consistently followed the releases of Life. Lair. Regret., and queercore band Cherish have become one of my favorite acts from the label’s impressive roster. Following their brilliant debut, Your Suffering, they return with six compelling tracks on Project XOXO. The EP is a heartfelt search for allies, social change, personal growth, and a better world for everyone. It begins with “Hope Against Hope” before offering a sharp non-binary and queer perspective on the straight edge scene with “xReinventionx,” which evokes memories of Nick Riotfag’s iconic zine My Edge Is Anything But Straight. Closing with the fiercely resonant “All the Pain,” the EP balances raw intensity with a message of resilience and hope. Their distinctive sound rewards repeated listens, but it is the lyrics that stand out most: “Take these X’s, reinvent them. Bent as the world we live in, broke as the ones who raised me. Out of shape in streamlined living, I got the queer edge it keeps on giving.”

Following in the footsteps of Decline, Chicago’s Absolute Truth are another straight edge force to be reckoned with. Their latest EP, Where Does It Start?, radiates hardcore authenticity, reinforced by classic artwork and a layout designed by Andrew Kline, known for his work with Strife, Berthold City, and WAR Records. While their music carries the spirit of seminal bands such as Inside Out and A Chorus of Disapproval, Absolute Truth are not afraid to incorporate more contemporary influences from the likes of Down to Nothing, Carry On, and Backtrack. The band do not reinvent the wheel, but their approach feels refreshingly genuine and is delivered with total conviction. The EP contains six fiery straight edge anthems and closes with the eponymous track, “Absolute Truth,” punctuated by the defiant words: “I refuse to die the death of a fool. I choose to live my life clean instead. I will always be straight edge!” What more could you ask for?

The collaboration between xWEAPONx and World of Pleasure has produced one of the most ridiculously hard-as-fuck straight edge releases of the year. Featuring Knocked Loose members Isaac Hale and Bryan Garris alongside musicians from bands such as Two Witnesses and Harm’s Way, xWEAPONx embody raw and relentless straight edge energy. Their side begins with “Paid in Blood,” a track guaranteed to send your adrenaline surging. Another highlight, “Domination III,” pays homage to World of Pleasure while continuing the metallic legacy of its predecessors. Jess Nyx of World of Pleasure appears prominently, this time chanting, “Straight edge domination.”

Originally formed in Calgary as a duo between Jess and Colter of Mortality Rate, World of Pleasure have since grown into a formidable XVX band. Their opening track, “World War X,” showcases the band’s signature metallic riffs and unyielding vocals while nodding to xWEAPONx’s “People Like You.” Another standout, “Uzis Akimbo,” reflects the band’s affection for gaming-inspired titles while offering a militant vegan response to xWEAPONx’s “In Spite Of.” The combined ferocity of these two bands makes this one of the year’s fiercest and most hard-hitting releases. It is essential listening for anyone claiming the edge, now and forever!

Coming from radically different places like Turkey and Belgium, xRISALEx and xINVICTUSx come together to set everything ablaze on their scorching split EP. Drawing from Turkey’s historical complexities, xRISALEx deliver a fierce and uncompromising attack. They confront both the violent legacy of the Ottoman Empire and the contemporary shackles of Turkey’s authoritarian regime. Across four tracks charged with anger and determination, the band reach their defining moment with “Laying Waste to Empires,” a rousing call for freedom, liberation, and autonomy.

On the other side, xINVICTUSx are a blistering force of Belgian edge metal. Their five tracks are as rapid as they are searing, addressing subjects ranging from white privilege to humanity’s uncertain future and the looming threat of social and ecological devastation. Released in March 2023 by Ugly And Proud Records, this split may have remained below the radar, particularly outside European straight edge circles, but its impact is undeniable. Once the needle drops, the record commands your attention with the force of a speeding freight train. In these uncertain times, it sounds like a searing political manifesto.

Hailing from Bulgaria’s revived hardcore scene, TRUExFEELING remained a well-kept secret until making their powerful live debut on the second day of DIY Conspiracy’s Mayday festival. Describing their sound as “brutal edge metal,” they have since played several shows across the country, reigniting interest in straight edge while addressing addiction and complacency within the scene. Their debut single, “In Decay,” appeared on the first day of May, followed by an exclusive track on Ugly And Proud Records’ Straight Edge And Proud compilation. As this article is being published, anticipation is growing for TRUExFEELING’s upcoming Edge Day show in Sofia. They will be joined by Sofia’s own xCHOKEx, another straight edge band promising uncompromising hardcore for the devoted. Sofia Straight Edge is back on the map!

Following two intense EPs and tours with several standout bands, Alabama’s No Cure have reignited the flame with a rerecorded version of “No Cure Straight Edge Die Slow Fuck You” from their 2022 EP, Cursed From Birth. This five-piece powerhouse seamlessly combines metalcore and hardcore with confrontational lyrics that staunchly defend straight edge beliefs. Their commitment has been clear since their 2022 debut single, “Laceration Divine,” but this reworked track takes it even further. Lines such as “Every drunk driver is a fucking target / Every car wrapped around a tree gets no sympathy” capture the band’s raw emotion, recalling the fury of tracks such as Body Count’s “Cop Killer.” That intensity grows with words like, “So fuck your grieving family who will never find peace.” These confrontational lyrics are rooted in personal loss and the devastation caused by drunk drivers who have affected the band’s friends and family. The song is a furious reflection of that anguish and its aftermath.

Finland’s Cleansing released their new single, “Throne of Misery,” in July 2023, further strengthening their position in the metallic hardcore landscape. Since their scorching 2019 demo, described as a “raw metalcore straight edge beast,” the band have earned praise for music that brilliantly captures the spirit of ’90s metalcore and diverse vegan straight edge influences. Their release through German label Bound by Modern Age showcased not only their musical strength, but also their thematic depth. In 2020, the Dark Current EP presented an immersive combination of metal and hardcore, highlighting the band’s edge metal prowess while exploring addiction and confinement. “Throne of Misery” sets the stage for their upcoming full-length debut, scheduled for release later in 2023. Dripping with loneliness and angst, the track offers a tantalizing glimpse of an album focused on human vulnerabilities such as isolation and addiction. Through it all, Cleansing continue to evolve without abandoning their foundational ethos.

Coming from Bloomington and Indianapolis, What Counts proudly wave the banner of their home state with their debut EP, Indiana Straight Edge. Although the band only formed earlier this year, they have quickly made their presence known. The members have connections to other local bands, but their straight edge attitude remains the unmistakable focus here. Following the timeless youth crew blueprint, the EP unfolds across five energetic tracks and begins with a spirited intro built around the band’s name. Their influences range from iconic Lockin’ Out bands such as Mental, Righteous Jams, and Justice to more contemporary acts. What Counts shine through their ability to combine nostalgic sounds with an invigorating passion that comes through in both the music and lyrics. While modern youth crew can often fall into clichéd territory, especially when it comes to terrible vocals, What Counts restore the style’s authentic spirit with powerful determination.

Australia’s Forewarned have delivered one of the year’s most overlooked straight edge EPs outside their homeland, and it deserves to be highlighted here. Its three tracks are blistering reminders of the intense delivery and dark atmosphere associated with Excessive Force, Integrity, Torn Apart, and the wider mid-’90s metallic hardcore scene. I do have some reservations about the band’s chosen name. Not only do they share it with a shitty Christian rock band, but it also recalls a US hardcore band whose straight edge vocalist turned out to be a sexual predator and abuser. Hopefully, Forewarned will consider a name change for future releases and expand their presence beyond greedy, absolute shit streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. Regardless, their Melbourne Straight Edge promo is tight as hell.

This year has brought a surge of outstanding hardcore demos, and Accusation’s 2023 tape stands near the top of the straight edge pile. Each of its five tracks runs for roughly one to one and a half minutes, packing fast and aggressive hardcore with mosh-worthy sections, fierce riffs, and rapid breakdowns. Anyone drawn to the Boston hardcore style of bands such as The Boston Strangler, No Tolerance, and Stop and Think will immediately gravitate toward this gem. Released by the UK’s esteemed Quality Control HQ and expertly recorded by Tom Pimlott of Violent Reaction and Rated X, this is exactly the straight edge revelation that fans of raw, old-school recordings have been waiting for.

Glasgow, Scotland, has become a hotbed of ferocious hardcore and metal, with bands such as Mourning, Despize, Demonstration of Power, and Hellbound gathering around the Northern Unrest label. Formed by members of these bands, Dead to Rights enter the fray with their 2023 debut tape. Across five short and impactful tracks, they channel the spirit of Right Brigade, Ten Yard Fight, Floorpunch, and the early Youngblood Records roster. Many bands have followed this well-worn path, but the Dead to Rights demo proves that it is still possible to breathe new life into a classic formula. From the opening breakdown to the final hit, the tape lands blow after blow and reaffirms straight edge as a powerful force to be reckoned with.

Legendary Weapons are a new straight edge collaboration between Sky Page and Davis Driver. Previously known for drumming in Northwest hardcore bands such as Cutting Through and Safe and Sound, Sky began a new musical chapter after moving to Omaha, Nebraska, in 2019. Swapping drumsticks for guitar picks, he helped shape the riveting sound that now defines Legendary Weapons. Davis followed a similar path. Previously the bassist of Life Force, he lent his voice to the project after relocating to Portland, Oregon. The songs recall iconic bands such as No Tolerance, Brotherhood, and Straight Ahead, with Legendary Weapons even covering the latter on the demo. Across four explosive tracks, the tape celebrates the enduring spirit of old-school hardcore while injecting it with contemporary and unyielding determination.

Orlando’s No Better Way burst onto the scene in 2023 with this high-energy demo. Its three tracks demonstrate the band’s unwavering commitment to the straight edge ethos. Fans of classic Revelation Records and Youngblood Records bands will recognize plenty of familiar elements, yet No Better Way’s tight musicianship and clean production allow them to stand out. The vocals carry subtle echoes of Have Heart’s seminal The Things We Carry, adding another dimension to the band’s sound. Although brief, this demo makes a bold statement. No Better Way are certainly a band to watch, and they have secured a place on my radar for the future.

Bearing the unmistakable mark of a straight edge band with Xs framing their name, San Francisco’s xADHERENCEx make a thunderous entrance with their 2023 demo. Across five tracks, they deliver a powerful mixture of neck-snapping breakdowns and metallic riffs that captures the essence of aggressive and uncompromising hardcore. Their commitment is impossible to miss, with the words “straight edge” appearing in almost every song apart from the instrumental interlude. Although xADHERENCEx can descend into slower and heavier beatdown sections, they sound most dangerous when the tempo rises. The vocalist’s venomous delivery over rapid and ruthless riffs makes the band’s intentions perfectly clear. xADHERENCEx have a message, and they will not be ignored: “Straight edge, I still believe.”

Some records in the vast sea of international hardcore releases can transport you to another time, and Mexico City youth crew band xCAMBIARx do exactly that. Listening to them takes me back to the days of eagerly flipping through photocopied zines in search of reviews of demo tapes from bands around the world. Those bands often sounded similar and shared the same distinctive lo-fi production, yet their commitment to the culture was immeasurable. xCAMBIARx’s six Spanish-language tracks may resemble earlier bands in both sound and artwork, but they still cut through with undiluted straight edge fury. Among the songs, they proudly declare “STRAIGHT EDGE,” immediately followed by the fast old-school ripper “STRAIGHT EDGE ES MÁS QUE PALABRAS!!” For xCAMBIARx, straight edge truly is more than words.

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Shout-out to all the other bands that did not make the list, all the straight edge kids out there, the labels that continue releasing straight edge bands despite the financial difficulties, and new publications such as XVX Zine that are keeping the flame alive!

P.S. Below is the blistering video for Hour of Reprisal’s “Rat Nest.” It is one of the best hardcore videos I have seen in a long time.