I don't know exactly when it happened - it was probably in the 90's- but you don't need to be from New York anymore to sound like a NYHC band. You could be from such sun-drenched locales like Florida and California. You could even talk about the tough streets in Tokyo, Japan or Umea, Sweden. You don't need to be five thugged out Italian guys with neck tattoos and names like Vinnie and Lou.
No Turning Back is the latest band to sounds like they are from The Five Boroughs when in actuality they call The Netherlands their home. When I think of The Netherlands I think of dikes, pot bars, and legal prostitution as opposed to The Bronx, NYPD Blue, and people yelling "What the fuck are YOUST looking at!?" from grimy yellow cabs. However, I would not bat an eye seeing No Turning Back playing a CBGB's Matinee with in the late 80's with Sick of it All, Agnostic Front, Underdog and probably Leeway on the bill.
Describing New York styled hardcore is a bit of an undertaking, it's just one of those things you know what it when you hear it. Rest assured, No Turning Back play fast hardcore with breakdowns but its bit more metal, a lot more into your face and their cup of testosterone has runneth over. It's not so much about screaming for change or at wall, but more about beating the hell out of the wall and then spitting it on as it crawls on the floor broken and bloodied.
Most hardcore aficionados will agree that NYHC hardcore is a bit too macho and bit too violent for most people's tastes. It can be a bit much with the attitude and all the bravado. It's not a style of hardcore I can listen to all the time, but it's great music to listen to while stuck on a bus in rush hour or when you just have on those "fuck the world" type of days.
Holding On, is a great slab of menacing New York Hardcore from The Netherlands, a place more famous for it's tulips (or is that Holland?) than it is for it's muggings. Maybe life is really hard in the streets of The Netherlands, who am I too judge? Nevertheless, No Turning Back has a great NYHC styled hardcore album with Holding On. There are plenty of thick riffs, grunted vocals, and devastating breakdowns to turn anyone into a head bashing goon with a mile sized chip on their shoulders. I also think there are more guest vocals on this record than there were on the last Lil' Jon joint. Get this and get mean.
