When Cease came together in Dublin over a decade ago, they had a clear idea of what they wanted to do. “We started in 2023 with the intention of doing something like Strain, Trial, and similar bands from the ’90s,” guitarist Gavin explains. “There'd never really been anything with that kind of sound from Dublin before.”
Cease's origins trace back to the late 2010s, when Gavin, Gaby, and Dexter played together in the straight edge band World of Difference. After that band ended, the three remained in contact, discussing new projects before eventually bringing in Killian and Xavi. “We put out a two-song demo in May 2024 and played our first show that summer," the guitarist tells No Echo.
Teaming up with Sweden's Bring It Back, the band has just returned with a powerful new collection of songs. Titled The End Has to Begin Somewhere, the 5-song EP was recorded by Cease drummer Killian, who, according to Gavin, also records many of Dublin's hardcore bands.
“We spent the last few months of 2025 and the start of 2026 re-recording guitar parts and really trying to nail the vocals,” he says. “Eventually we got to a place where we were happy with everything, and here we are now finally releasing the record.”
The band's core stylistic approach remains rooted in ’90s influences, but they certainly aren't alone in that regard. “I think there's a lot of contemporary stuff with a similar sound to us, like Stranglehold, Unravel, Coexist, Stand Tall, and probably a million other newer bands,” says Gavin. “In my opinion, hardcore's better than it has been in ages. There's crazy stuff coming out of every part of the world constantly.”
Cofounded by two members of Invader, a brutal band No Echo covered last year, the relationship between Cease and the people behind Bring It Back Records goes back nearly a decade. The band first met Walle when he visited Ireland while playing in Swedish straight edge band Settlement. They stayed in touch over the years, eventually reconnecting when Invader toured Ireland.
“We were really happy to be asked to put out our record with Bring It Back Records. The scene in Sweden is unreal, and to be given an opportunity to put out a record on a label from there means a lot.”
Gavin starts spitting the gospel. “I know this is cliché to say, but the main thing we wanted to do was play music we liked on gigs with our friends,” the guitarist says. “That and the betterment of your scene should be the end goal of every hardcore band, really.”
As far as their local music community, things sound exciting. “Dublin hardcore is deadly right now,” he says before rattling off Goon, Breakeven, Poser, Bitter Pill, Animal House, Microtonal, Colourview, Mage Hand, Chapel Dust, Distrust from Within, Lost to Life, Frayed Ends, Steel Caps, Special Branch, No Magic, Instruction, and Homicide Note.
“There'll probably be even more new bands before this interview comes out, and apologies to anybody I forgot. Most of all, shout out Black Water Music and Bring It Back.”
Having yet to play outside Ireland, Cease are hoping to change that next. Gavin says the band already has a few international shows booked, with more being worked out.
There's also good news for No Echo readers who dig The End Has to Begin Somewhere as much as we have. “I know this record is only out, but I'm looking forward to writing new songs as well,” he says, before adding one final, hopefully jokingly, promise:
“The LP should be out sometime in the next 10 years or so.”
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The End Has to Begin Somewhere is available on vinyl via Bring It Back.
Cease on social media: Instagram
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