xNULLIFYx from Illinois are one of the latest additions to the New Morality Zine roster. A band that packs a punch with their brand of metallic hardcore, their eponymously titled debut EP just dropped on streaming outlets.
The straight edge unit fits in nicely with modern bands like Inclination, while taking cues from classics in their field like Earth Crisis. xNULLIFYx seem to have built up a dedicated local following, despite only having their single “Bottom Feeder” out.
As you can see below, the group had a nice reaction to their opening slot for the Peoria stop on Haywire’s full US tour this summer. Kids clearly know the words, anticipate when the mosh hits in their set, and appear to display an even exchange of energy between audience and band.
I spoke with guitarist Chris Bayless to learn more about xNULLIFYx and the EP.
Tell us how the band came together.
I finished writing a song with the intention of doing vocals in the band and I posted a short snippet of it on IG, to which Rob replied to asking if I could send him the whole track. Two days later he messaged me, “hey, I hope this isn’t crossing a line, but I did this” and proceeded to send me the track with his vocals on it.
Immediately, I knew this had to be the configuration, and then I reached out to Shiloh, James, and Gabe immediately and we made it happen.
What has it been like to work with Nick at New Morality Zine so far?
Nick has been so excited to work with us and would text me almost daily to tell me how nonstop he listens to the EP. It feels good to work with someone like him that wants to put in the work this badly. I could go on forever about Nick. NMZ forever
Now that it's out, what are your thoughts on the EP?
The EP is 5 of the most proud songs I’ve ever written. I’ve done my best to rip influences from Blistered, Foundation, All Out War, Harness, and so many other bands that fit within the metallic hardcore realm.
How has the reaction been towards the band so far (it looks pretty good to me)?
It’s been overwhelmingly positive. I still am blown away by kids knowing words to songs that had not released yet and every show is chaos of the best kind.
Have any of you been in straight edge bands before?
At 35 and a lifelong edgeman, this is the first straight edge band I’ve been a part of and that goes for Rob as well. James played in a band called Cueball, and Shiloh plays in a band called Totaled.
Why did it feel important to make xNULLIFYx a straight edge band?
As I said in the previous question, this is Rob and I’s first edge band and it’s something we’ve wanted for as long as we’ve been going to hardcore shows and playing in bands. I’ve tried countless times to make this happen and it just never got off the ground but this time I was more determined than ever. Straight edge means so much to all of us.
What’s on the horizon for the band?
We are hard at work on more music, perhaps another EP before the year is over? More travel for shows and doing whatever it takes to get this band's music into other people’s ears. We won’t be ignored.
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The xNULLIFYx EP is out now via New Morality Zine on all streaming outlets (vinyl pre-order).
xNULLIFYx on social media: Instagram
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