Goddamn, if there were no Haywire, we would probably have to invent this band ourselves. In many ways, they are almost a definition of what a hardcore band – and underground music in general – should be. This band is absolutely amazing and has been tearing through the scene since their first full-length record, Conditioned For Demolition, released in 2024.

This time we are talking about their split with No Guard, released in 2025. I got my copy from Mendeku Diskak, but there is also a US version released by Friends Family Forever Records.

The split contains six songs in total: two original tracks and one cover of the other band from each side. Both bands fit together extremely well, meeting somewhere between hardcore aggression and strong Oi! influences.

Haywire sound maybe a little slower and less wild here than usual, but this more Oi!-influenced side suits them surprisingly well. The singalong chorus works perfectly on Summer Night, while the unconditional love song Always By My Side rolls along with a warmer and more personal feeling. In both its meaning and the way the message is delivered, it reminds me a little of Sanctuary by Sick Of It All, although Haywire approach the subject in a much more relaxed way. Me And You is their cover of a No Guard song and closes their side of the split nicely.

In my humble opinion, No Guard actually sound surprisingly faster and tougher here than Haywire. Not by much, but there is definitely a little more urgency in their tracks. They are following up on the release of War Over Me, which they put out in 2024. The first song, Dirtbag, is about love with the wrong person, while True Love deals with love with the right person. That is definitely the better direction of development than the other way around. No Guard then add their cover of Haywire’s Love Song, completing what could almost be called a small love-song trilogy on this record.

Both bands did a really good job here. What strikes me most is that, beneath all the tough guitars and hardcore energy, there are actually more positive and personal messages than pure aggression on this split. That caught me slightly off guard, because I came here expecting a wild show. Instead, I got something a little more melodic, more emotional and perhaps even more mature – without losing the toughness that makes both bands work in the first place.

And I absolutely appreciate that. Great split.

TOP TRACKS: Always By My Side, True Love