No Turning Back

With the relative simplicity inherent in modern punk and hardcore, it has been difficult for some bands to stand out over others. Sometimes an odd mix of geography and influence has been necessary for a band to make an impact outside of a handful of self-glued 7" EPs and move on to playing stages in support of some of punk rock's legendary names. Nowhere has this story been more true than for Dutch punk rock outfit No Turning Back. Formed in 1997, this quartet took its passion and love of N.Y.C. hardcore to the limit, eventually turning out a respectable pile of full-lengths, EPs, and splits over a ten-plus-year career. The band's first release, a demo entitled Shadow of Darkness, appeared shortly after the formation of the group in 1997. In 2000 No Turning Back hit the "official" scene for the first time with the EP release Beautiful Lies, after creating their own label, Bust! Records. Over the next couple of years No Turning Back stayed in touch with continued EP and cassette releases, and in 2003 the band was able to issue its first full-length platter, Revenge Is a Right, which was co-released with the Reality Records label. A follow-up came quickly, 2004's Damage Done, and while the band would continue to pepper its discography with mini-album and EP releases, No Turning Back began to make an impression on the European punk scene. With the release of album number three, Holding On, in 2006, No Turning Back saw their fortunes rise with tours in North America, Japan, Brazil, and a sizable part of Europe. The band would go on to share stages with heroes and luminaries such as Bad Brains, Sick of It All, Hatebreed, and Gorilla Biscuits. With momentum in their favor, No Turning Back took the opportunity to re-release some older material in 2007, as well as put together a compilation, 1997-2007, which was released on their Bust! label. In 2008, the band (Martijn -- vocals, Emiel -- guitars, Giel -- bass, Robin -- drums) returned with new studio material, releasing that year's Stronger in April. ~ Chris True