War Bond's Debut LP, ‘An Act of Treason,’ is an Absolute Juggernaut

War Bond, 'An Act of Treason'

If 20 years from now debate swirls in local hardcore circles over what LPs are among the best debut albums recorded by a Buffalo hardcore band, we wouldn’t be surprised at all if War Bond’s ‘An Act of Treason’ is among those mentioned.

It’s just that fucking good.

From the very start of the album’s opening track, ‘March On,’ as Ricky Bertucca’s foreboding bass intro paves way to vocalist Ky Reynolds’ impassioned oration, you immediately get the sense you’re in for a record that’s going to be worth your while. And then as the rest of the band — (Nick Haring on drums and guitarists Shanahan Roach and Cole Blasz) — enters and unleashes the song’s driving rhythmic onslaught and heavy hypnotic main riff, you soon realize that initial sense was, indeed, spot on.

Yeah, this record is just that fucking good.  

“We're very proud of what we've been able to put together and release so far,” the group told 1120 Press. “We've only been a band for about a year now, and having put out a demo and this album in that time is something we take a lot of pride in. Hearing people like our album, and that the lyrics resonate with them, is special. It lets us know we're doing something here. We've been able to do so much in such a short period of time, and none of us really expected it to work out like this. Getting to release a 10-track album, go on tour, make merch, and play 20-plus shows in a year was a blast. We're still working and don't plan on stopping any time soon.”

Despite being a young band, War Bond — which will celebrate ‘An Act of Treason’ with a

release show tonight at Area 54 in Buffalo with a stacked bill that includes Hold Out, Bile Study, Slam Dunk and Hostile Makeover — carries itself with a degree of healthy swagger. The band has vision, and that vision is employed with such assuredness it’s easy to come away thinking War Bond has been around for a decade or so, rather than just one year. A big reason why is rooted in the fact that War Bond is authentic. It doesn’t front. There’s an earnestness to what the band writes about and how its music is presented. And though its subject matter is often heavy, there’s a positivity that shines through. War Bond explores and rallies against the range of injustices which run rampant across our society, yet it doesn’t wallow in them. Instead, the band always delivers a clarion call to action.

“Sitting around complaining and telling people how awful shit is won't really do anything for anyone. That's what the news is for,” the band said. “We want people to feel like they can relate to what we're saying and feel like they're part of something. Writing a song that's a call to action gets people motivated rather than depressed. We want people to look around and realize we're all we have, community is all we have, and we need to unify and fight back against what we see as unjust.” 

As good as ‘An Act of Treason’ is, what helps push it to the next level is the top-shelf production by engineer John Angelo, who not only brings out War Bond’s sound with full-throttle force, but does a remarkable job ensuring the band’s intention and urgency is translated here with absolute clarity.

The bright spots on this 10-song, 17-minute LP are many, and from beginning to end there is no let down anywhere.

Right out of the gate, the first three tracks ‘March On,’ ‘Scum,’ and ‘Infiltrator’ pull you in deep. Songs such as ‘Embrace’ and ‘Task Rat’ are replete with sonic fury. And the album’s final song, ‘Outta Here,’ is an unadulterated tsunami.

War Bond, Area 54, June 2025 (Photo by Matt Smith)

When it comes to the future of Buffalo hardcore there are a lot of reasons to be excited, and War Bond is certainly one of them. And though ‘An Act of Treason’ is just only a little more than a week old, we selfishly can’t wait to hear what else comes from this band in the (hopefully) near future.

“This is the first time any of us put out an album. Most of us had put out a single, demo, or EP before, but this was everyone's first studio album, so it feels special to us all,” the band said. “For the release show on Friday, we want people to grab the mic as much as possible, feel alive and scream whatever lyrics you resonated with the most. All the bands are incredible, so come support them even if you think we suck. One last thing: fuck ICE, free Palestine, and watch out for each other.”