It's intense, it's raw, it's real.
by
Reachcontrol
No BS on this album. There isn't a moment where you would question the ferocity seething beneath the surface. It is a full play album that has a permanent place in my rotations. There is an instance or two of drawing out sections of songs, but it's not enough to detract from the overall cadence. if you just want a taste, check Independance Game and Clusterfuck.
And The Critics Say...
by
OasisProject
"On No Fate, expect plenty of gruff vocals, ultra-melodic guitars and catchy choruses from Lock And Key, a Boston punk act whose sound is straight outta Gainesville. The band is energetic, dynamic and smart, and for fans of early Hot Water Music and Blank, you can't afford not to check out Lock And Key" - Alternative Press
"Post-hardcore needs one solitary ingredient to truly engage; panic. That palpable, almost suffocating feeling that echoes from the depths of all great post-hardcore records, of a band at a loss of what to do and where to go (non-musically of course) is utterly enthralling, and Lock And Key have it in spades. On occasions, as with the abrasive chaff of "No Fate," you can literally hear the desperation engulfing their music, channelling their relentless wire of riffage and razor-cut vocals into an emotional void that's at breaking point. It makes a mockery of post-hardcore's plentiful pretenders and by rights should catapult Lock And Key to the very top of the pile." - Logo
"Boston's Lock and Key have a honed formula on their first release, No Fate. This seven-song set is the definition of working man's hardcore. Guitars swarm and assail like a besieged hornets nest, yet also incorporate a rough-edged melody to substantiate the music without making it sound too pretty. Drummer Keith Casella's frenzied beats whip the music into a lather and just as easily relent to give the claustrophobic surroundings a little air. Guitarists Ryan Shanahan and Mike Vera contribute gruff but sincere vocals, often shouting in unison on peak moments. The result is minimalist hardcore performed with clenched-teeth determination. Fewer hard-hitting bands feel more organic and heartfelt." - Journal Review
"You may never have heard of Lock And Key, but you will! This tight bunch of rockers have their eyes on the prize. They have a sound reminiscent of Hot Water Music, and strong personal ties to Read Yellow. Their first EP, No Fate, was released on indie label Deep Elm, which will also be releasing their full-length album this fall. Local they may be, but they're playing packed shows just about everywhere they plug in." - Boston Phoenix: Stuff at Night
"Lock And Key's seven-song debut EP is a crazy (but good) mess of punk, indie rock and post-hardcore. What's good about No Fate is that vocals and music are seamlessly intertwined. This is how Lock And Key gets across their message. Most bands settle for creating a song and conveying their message with lyrics. Lock And Key's guitars furiously strain at the bit, drums emit a rapid-fire, and Shanahan's voice reels urgently to create a united front of devastatingly good-sounding music." - Lollipop
"Lock And Key is an energetic new group that wants to rip you to shreds with emotion and melody. On No Fate the group fairs pretty well. You've got the chugging riffs that never let go of their melody and drive, and the gruff vocals. Lock And Key incorporates the slightest bit of skate punk to make this mix pleasing to anyone who considers him / herself a fan of heavy indie rock. No Fate is heavy with full out rockers, and Independence Game, with its gritty power is a standout. It's a debut that offers promise and punch...a nice combination." - Wonkavision
"What a grand entrance from Lock And Key, who on No Fate have come the closest to matching the high standards of quality set by Hot Water Music. Lock And Key perform a similar style of dense, yet accessible hard rock with erosive vocals and an ardent sense of melody. This entire seven-song debut is outstanding. This disc has a great shot at lasting as the best debut of 2004. No Fate has everything going for it." - Punk International
