London hardcore band Higher Walls will self-release their new EP No End on April 25th — but this is more than just a record drop. Alongside the release, the band opens up about the state of hardcore across continents, sharing a personal map of influences and scenes that shaped their sound.
It reads like a dispatch: from the chaotic groove of BDF in Essex, to the activism-driven power of Antagonist A.D. in Aotearoa, to blistering underground acts in Chișinău and Bucharest. This context marks the foundation No End is built on.
The EP’s first single Cloak & Dagger, released March 14th, is a sharp critique of militarism and profit-fueled governance. “Cloak & Dagger speaks about the reality of the war machine and how the people instilled to protect us use their influence to profit from the donations of warmongering elites,” the band explains. The track is dense and direct, layering polyrhythms with bitter lyrics that call out silence, greed, and political theatre.
Higher Walls formed in 2020 and consist of Jordan Kaad (vocals), Radu Ghidirim (guitar), Stefan Babara (drums), and Chris Sparrow (bass). Each member brings a different regional weight.
Jordan cites the influence of Antagonist A.D. and Bleeders growing up in Auckland, calling the former “tight, conscious and important,” while spotlighting new acts like Heavy Step and Haywire.
Chris, raised on the edge of London and Essex, recalls midweek shows packed with Ninebar and 50 Caliber, and namechecks newer voices like King Street, Good Cop, and Hellscape. Radu and Stefan, both originally from Chișinău, mention Pavilionul 32, Walk Alone, and Chaos Reigns — all carving out heavy sounds with local urgency.
The EP features six tracks recorded at Bookhouse Studio by Tom Hill and mastered by Brad Boatright (Audiosiege). It continues the band’s politically charged trajectory from last year’s Tear Them Down, but with even sharper focus.
No End functions like a report: rooted in scenes, built from frustration, and aimed squarely at those still listening.
Higher Walls play their single release show April 10th at Blondies, followed by an EP release set May 22nd at The Star Shoreditch and a slot at Tear Them Down Fest on June 7th.
“Our band’s members span multiple continents, so we have a myriad of influences when it comes to heavy-hitting music.” – says the band.
“However, Hardcore has always felt important.”
𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑡’𝑠 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑜-𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑒𝑠, 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝐻𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑜 𝑚𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑐.
“In 2025 these values are more vital than ever; the scene feels more unified, speaking confidently on global injustices.” – continues the band.
“And it’s more inclusive, giving a much-needed platform to marginalised voices whilst fostering progressive discourse. As a band, we feel very proud to represent those values and love seeing what the next generation has to offer!”
Chris (Bass):
I grew up on the border of London and Essex. I was always drawn to heavier music but grew up initially playing different styles of music. That background has really helped to bring a unique style to how I approach our band’s sound.
My first experience with hardcore were bands in the LBU (London) and EBD (Essex) scenes. Hardcore scenes are somewhat regional in the UK but often collaborate and have shared values. My friend Adam and I would often go to small venues mid-week to see bands like Ninebar, Special Move, Diction, 50 Caliber on the same bill. Massive!
One of my favourite Hardcore bands at that time was BDF. Unmistakable London Hardcore, with the bouncing, groove focused beatdowns that we’ve all come to love, but much more chaotic in sound. Killer technical hardcore, grounded by Pelbu’s distinct vocal style.
(Slightly) further afield, Stampin’ Ground were absolute pioneers for UKHC. This year marks 20 years of their iconic album ‘Carved From Empty Words’. They’re playing their first show in a long time, which should open up their music to a brand new audience which is very exciting.
As for newer bands, both King Street and Lowlife are keeping the LBU game strong, Good Cop are showing why queer voices matter more than ever in hardcore and Hellscape’s last EP was an absolute cracker of death rock tinged Hardcore. Can’t wait for more!
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Jordan (Vocals):
My Hometown of Auckland is also home to one of Aotearoa’s biggest hardcore bands, Antagonist A.D. I grew up going to their shows and playing alongside them in my old band and was always blown away with how tight they were.
Lyrically I looked up to them a lot. It’s important to stand up for what you believe in and voice it, and that element of conscious activism sits at the core of Higher Walls.
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I can’t not mention fellow westies that got me into heavier music in my youth Bleeders. “A Bleeding Heart EP” is the soundtrack to my younger years skating through the streets of Waitākere.
The Aoteroa (New Zealand) scene is popping off at the moment. A new standout band to check out is Heavy Step.
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They just released a new EP “March 25” with hefty mid-tempo grooves that bands like Haywire are also doing so brilliantly now.
As for up-and-coming London bands, there are so many popping up at the moment! Check out Toil, Spitballin’, Regress, Frail, Bullet and This Hurts!
Radu (Guitar):
I’m originally from The Republic of Moldova. I was always into fast, heavy music and would often travel into Romania to see bands. One of my earliest local influences were Pavilionul 32, a Hardcore punk band from Western Romania.
Super- fast, unrelenting hardcore punk. Their music and lyrics about community, solidarity and inclusivity, really connected with me in my late teens. It is very different to Higher Walls but I’ve taken some of that energy and ethos forward when writing riffs and life in general.
When I moved to London, Employed to Serve were one of the first bands I really got into. I remember seeing them open for Trap Them at the Boston Music Rooms, back in 2016. I remember thinking “Wow, this is good!” and they were the first band on the bill.
Our friends in Burner are also killing it right now.
Signed to Church Road Records, their sound has progressed into something that transcends that traditional death metal sound, and if you love hardcore you will love the intensity these guys bring! Can’t speak highly of them enough.
Stefan (Drums):
Like Radu, I grew up in Chișinău, the capital of The Republic of Moldova. My earliest drumming influences were bands like Cryptopsy, Meshuggah & The Prodigy so I love adding in polyrhythms and blast beats to our songs! It’s something that helps our brand of hardcore stand out!
Walk Alone are a Moldovan hardcore band from Chişinău, in line with classic American hardcore bands like Hatebreed.
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Killer riffs, big breakdowns and a recognisable aesthetic. The whole package!
Chaos Reigns are a band that really bring the heat. As their name suggests, live shows are something to behold, and that live energy has made it on to their recordings as well which is not an easy feat.
Their newest EP ‘Sweet Violence’ is, in their words ‘chaotic and calculated, brutal and beautiful, sweet and violent’ and was one of the best EPs of last year.
