Terror is an American hardcore punk band from Los Angeles, formed in 2002. The band has undergone several line-up changes, all overseen by founding members Scott Vogel (lead vocals) and Nick Jett (drums). Its current lineup also features guitarists Martin Stewart and Jordan Posner, as well as bassist Chris Linkovich. The band has released eight studio albums – the most recent of which, Pain Into Power, was released in May 2022. The band are noted as one of the most influential modern bands within tough guy hardcore and hardcore punk, with Stereogum describing Terror as "an institution within their genre".[3]
Terror was formed in February 2002, by vocalist Scott Vogel, guitarist Todd Jones, drummer Nick Jett, and bass guitarist Matt Smith; the group remained a four-piece until September 2002.[4][5] The band only came up with its name in April 2002, after its first shows were booked, opening for Death Threat, American Nightmare, and Striking Distance on four of the bands' West Coast tour dates, spanning May 15–19, 2002.[4][6] Before playing those shows, Terror played a warm-up show, opening for Diehard Youth at Pat's Warehouse in Ventura, California on April 26, 2002.[4][5] That same year the band released their first material that being two demos.[7][8] The following year in 2003 they released an EP Lowest of the Low, along with their first live album titled Life & Death.
They have toured throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and South America.[9]
In 2004 their debut album One with the Underdogs was released and has sold over 40,000 copies. They then toured in support of the album and in 2005 they took part in that years Sounds of the Underground tour alongside bands such as Lamb of God, Unearth and Madball.[10] They also supported Converge on their Fall Canadian tour.[11]
In 2006 their sophomore album, Always the Hard Way was released. It reached No.10 on Billboard Heatseekers and No.19 on the Top Independent Records chart.[12] Ben of Punknews game the album a positive review stating “ What makes Terror stand out from the pack -- besides the clear conviction and honesty in what they do -- is that if you don't take the few negative aspects of them too seriously, you can have a lot of fun with Always the Hard Way.”[13] Terror once again took part in the Sounds of the Underground tour this time as one of the featured acts alongside As I Lay Dying, In Flames and Trivium.[14] They also made their first appearance on the Persistence tour with other hardcore acts like Sick of it All.[15] Before Terror, vocalist Scott Vogel sang for Slugfest, Despair, and for Buffalo, New York-based metalcore act Buried Alive in the mid-1990s.[16] Drummer Nick Jett and ex-lead guitarist Todd Jones were members of the well-known hardcore band Carry On (who had releases on Bridge Nine and Teamwork Records). Richmond, Virginia's David Wood is well known as the vocalist of his hometown hardcore band Down to Nothing. Carl Schwartz, formerly of Sworn Vengeance, recorded much of Always the Hard Way after quitting the band to front First Blood full-time.
In early 2007 Terror went on a headlining tour, with The Warriors and All Shall Perish serving as support.[17] The following year in 2008 their 3rd studio album The Damned, the Shamed was released Alex Henderson of AllMusic wrote “The Damned, The Shamed is a solid example of a CD that isn't big on originality but definitely comes through in terms of quality.”[18] They toured in support of the album and also once again took part in that years Persistence tour.[19] They kept up with the extensive touring in 2009 taking part in multiple tours with other hardcore acts.[20][21]
The group then signed with Century Media to release their 4th album Keepers of the Faith in 2010. The album was met with positive reception, Gregg Harrington of Scenepoint blank wrote "Terror has again reclaimed the crown of modern hardcore with Keepers Of The Faith. The quality of the production offered by Chad Gilbert of New Found Glory gives the record the dynamics it needs to be heavy in all the right places."[22] The group then headlined the 2010 Hell on Earth tour,[23] with support of Every Time I Die and All Shall Perish.[24] They also headlined alongside Madball and Death Before Dishonor in the Rebellion tour.[25]
In the Spring of 2011 Terror held a North American headlining tour with Trapped Under Ice and Close Your Eyes as support.[26] The touring continued into 2012 and they once again joined that years Persistence Tour.[27]
Their 5th studio album Live by the Code, originally due out in 2012, was pushed back to April 2013, released by Victory Records on CD and by Reaper Records on vinyl. It was the band's first time charting on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 121, selling 3,177 copies in its first week.[citation needed] It was also No. 1 on the Heatseekers chart and No. 28 on Independent Albums.[citation needed] It also made the mainstream charts in both Germany and Belgium.[28] A total of six music videos for tracks off of Live by the Code have been released: "Live by the Code", "The Most High", "I'm Only Stronger", "Hard Lessons", "Shot of Reality", and "Cold Truth".[29][30][31][32][33][34] The album was met with mostly positive reception, widely considered a standout hardcore album by Terror, praised for its aggressive, uncompromising sound and catchy, singalong anthems AllMusic wrote “With Live by the Code, the L.A. hardcore act crushes 11 songs in under 30 minutes. Their furious lyrics and chunky guitar lines are standard moshing and stage-diving material, but fans will be satisfied nonetheless. Yet another in a long list of quality outings.[35]
They then toured in support of the album also taking part in the 2013 All Star tour alongside other acts such as Every Time I Die, and Chelsea Grin, also joining that years Rebellion tour.[36] In 2014 they co headlined the Persistence tour alongside Suicidal Tendencies, and also took part in that years Warped tour.[37]
On January 3, 2015, Terror were in the studio recording their sixth full-length album, The 25th Hour, set to be released on Victory Records.[38][39] Pre-orders for The 25th Hour were announced on June 30, 2015, along with the albums August 7 release date and a stream for the single "The Solution" which premiered exclusively on Noisey.[40][41] The album debuted at number 8 on the US Top Hard Rock charts and 17 on the Independent Albums Charts,[42] and received positive reviews, Ray Van Horn of Blabbermouth.net gave the album an 8.5/10 stating “The 25th Hour" makes no bones by venomously turning away outsiders, but it rewards hardcore's true with a half hour of pit-pumping empowerment.”[43]
In 2016 the group headlined The Life & Death Tour with Power Trip and Harms Way serving as the main supporting acts.[44] In 2017 they released a Ep titled The Walls Will Fall, which Blabbermouth.net called “a notable return to form”.[45] In early 2018 the band embarked on a co headlining tour with Knocked Loose.[46] Later that same year Terror's seventh album, Total Retaliation, was released on September 28, 2018, via Pure Noise Records.[47] The album debuted at number 25 on the Top Hard Rock Albums and 12 on the Independent Billboard.[42]Exclaim! wrote “while Total Retaliation is most rewarding in small doses, Terror continue to demonstrate why they have always been at the forefront of the hardcore tribe.”[48] Blabbermouth.net added "Total Retaliation" finds TERROR once again at the top of its game and at the top of the pack.”[45]
In 2019 Terror played multiple shows including the Pure Noise Records Tour in North America with Stick To Your Guns, Counterparts, and others, an Australian tour with Stick To Your Guns, and a European tour with Cro-Mags JM, Lions Law, and Jesus Piece.[49][50]
In March 2021 they released a compilation album titled Trapped in a World, which saw the band re-record several songs from across their career live in-studio as part of what were billed the "Trapped in a World Sessions".[51] These sessions saw the band reunite with founding lead guitarist Todd Jones, who oversaw production and contributed guitar parts. Jones retained this role for the band's eighth album Pain Into Power, which was released on May 6, 2022.[3]Metal Injection gave the album a 9/10 stating “Terror are still the undisputed kings of the hardcore scene. It's relentless, bone-snapping stuff that flattens everything around it just as indiscriminately as ever, but never compromises on its messages for the sake of piling on more aggression, that bane of modern hardcore. There's little else to say, except that is a must listen.”[52] The group then embarked on an extensive US and European tour in support of the album.[53] During a 2021 show in California Terror had UFC fighter Khalil Rountree come up on stage to sing their song 'Out of My Face,' Rountree has stated Terror as one of his favorite bands and thanked Vogel for the lyrics he writes and the messages he has stood by all these years. Stating "That shit got us all through a lot and still does. Terror is a Hall of Fame hardcore band."[54]
After mainly playing US shows and few European shows in 2023, Terror then went on a world tour in 2024, making stops in the US, a winter Australia tour, a Spring and Summer Europe tour along with a mini Japan tour.[55]
In 2025 the band announced that their new album Still Suffer will be released sometime in 2026.[56] In October of that year Terror went on a North American tour with Spaced and Combust.[57]
Artistry
Terror is a hardcore band, their songs have described as loud, fast, intense, with powerful vocals and driving rhythm. With the guitars usually being heavy, their riffs are often unembellished, “designed to hit hard”.[58]
Terrors lyrics frequently touch on issues of societal decay, pain, struggle, resilience, injustice, greed, and sometimes personal reflections.[59] In a 2022 interview with DecibelScott Vogel stated
“Terror’s always had these lyrical themes of pro- or positive things looking at the hardcore and also, at the same time, looking at the world and knowing it can be an ugly, unforgiving, painful place. To try to spin that and to not let that defeat you.”[60]
Terror are also known for their live performances being described as some of the most explosive in hardcore. They are known to bring the classic early-hardcore vibe — no barrier, intensity, constant stage dives, gang vocals, and pure physical energy.[61][62] With Vogel commanding the crowd.[63] Vogel has stated “When we play, I want people to remember why they fell in love with this music. It’s about being part of something real.”[64]
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