“If we get stuck on a part or we’re overthinking something we ask ourselves, what would Hatebreed do? And then do that thing.”
Clearly that rule has worked pretty well for Not Without Punishment so far. The Southampton-based metallic hardcore outfit released their killer debut EP in July last year and have now doubled down with the even harder Blood Runs Cold which is out now via Godzilla Records.
As you might expect from the influence of Jasta and co., the band’s sound is big on mosh and riffs and aggro in a way that should go down a treat with anyone—or is it everyone at this point?—who takes whatever the HardLore guys say as gospel.
The five-piece of Lulu (vocals), Jacob (guitar), Joe (guitar), Cal (bass) and Connor (drums) have also gelled quickly.
“We didn’t really know each other almost two years ago,” explains Connor. “Me and Jacob were in previous bands together and lived together but the rest of us, we’d see each other at shows but never really spoke and Joe’s just Lu’s cousin who could play guitar.”
As Connor elaborates over email, the plan was always to strike while the iron was hot for EP #2.
“After the first release we knew we wanted to get cracking with another. We’d played a few shows together and spent more time with each other and the band was starting to form its sound a bit more every time we were in a room together. We basically wanted to do what we did before but just better.”
“Lulu came up with the name 'Blood Runs Cold' for a demo track we never even used on the record and we just ran with the whole cold and ice thing. Subconsciously there’s gotta be a Trapped Under Ice influence there as they’re one of the kings.”
Of course, like any good young and hungry hardcore band, Not Without Punishment have been plenty busy making a name for themselves with their shows too. They’ve supported US legends like Bulldoze and Madball, UK heavyweights like Desolated and Cruelty, and as we speak are just about to head out on an eight-day tour of Europe with Brighton death metal/hardcore outfit Blood Gutter.
“I think that’s a good rule of thumb for any band, just play shows and as many as you can, that’s why we do this right?,” offers Connor. “Cal, Jacob, and I have been in like quite a few hardcore/metalcore bands previously, Joe’s played a handful of shows and this is Lu’s first band! But yeah from our first show at the Hobbit here in Soton to our release show that happened last night, I think we’re tighter and more confident on stage.”
“You kinda see why they’ve been going as long as they have,” he adds on what the band may have learned from some of the more seasoned acts they’ve supported. “Madball look after themselves so well, same with Bulldoze. And again they do the basics well, they don’t try and play 45 solos every song, none of them are like serving themselves they’re just tryna make the best hardcore songs they can and they did that.”
Connor and co. have also stepped outside their wheelhouse sometimes, like playing with heavy shoegaze outfit Oversize, who just released their fantastic debut LP via SharpTone Records about a month ago, and the 900, a Tony Hawk's Pro Skater cover band. “Oversize are friends of ours so we were never gonna say no at the opportunity to play alongside friends,” explains Connor.
“A lot of those guys have played in hardcore bands previously so they know what’s up. Same with the 900, totally not what I expected, all of them love hardcore and the heavier side of things, it was really fun playing with them and they really know how to rock the stage.”
READ MORE: 12 Newer Hardcore Bands to Check Out in 2025
As for the scene in Southampton, Connor suggests “it’s still growing. I’m kinda new here. I haven’t lived here long, but I’ve played shows here in other bands before whether it was with the Grove Street boys or the night UYC [Unchained Youth Collective], but a lot of them have moved away or are busy playing music themselves to focus on putting on shows.”
“There’s a lot of people involved in making a scene together from promoters, people who flyer and promote, word of mouth and people who just turn up and enjoy the music. For me I’ve gotta give my credit to Lu, he just decided to start putting on shows and the ball has rolled from there.
It’s pretty solid, a lot of new faces coming through, starting to become more regular and getting to know each other.”
Our conversation concludes, as these things always do, with a look to the band’s hopes for the future. “We always just wanna play everywhere and anywhere. Been my dream to do this since I started playing drums so the more I can do this before my body starts to fail on me, the better. I don’t have many specific goals, just better than we did last time. Maybe play with Hatebreed or Terror, they’re very influential bands for me… crossing off some of those great names in hardcore would be nice.”
W.W.H.D. indeed.
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