XweaponX
{{Short description|American band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = XweaponX
| image = XweaponX_Band_Logo.jpg
| background = group_or_band
| origin = Louisville, Kentucky, United States
| genre = Straight edge hardcore, hardcore punk, metalcore
| years_active = 2023–present
| label = DAZE Records
| spinoff_of = Knocked Loose, Harm's Way, Gates to Hell, Heartstopper
| website =
| current_members =
- Dave Baugher (vocals)
- Bryan Garris (bass)
- Isaac Hale (guitar)
- Trey Garris (drums)
}}
XweaponX is an American straight edge hardcore band from Louisville, Kentucky. Formed as a side project featuring members from the core Louisville hardcore scene—including long-standing members of Knocked Loose—the band has quickly garnered attention for its energetic style and uncompromising sound within the straight edge movement.
History
XweaponX debuted in the scene with a surprise split release titled Weapon Of Pleasure with World Of Pleasure in March 2023.{{cite web | title=XweaponX (Knocked Loose, Etc.) & World Of Pleasure (Serration, Etc.) Surprise Release New Split | url=https://www.theprp.com/2023/03/13/news/xweaponx-knocked-loose-etc-world-of-pleasure-serration-etc-surprise-release-new-split/ | website=The PRP | accessdate=May 15, 2025 | archive-date=October 4, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004195655/https://www.theprp.com/2023/03/13/news/xweaponx-knocked-loose-etc-world-of-pleasure-serration-etc-surprise-release-new-split/ | url-status=live }} The band further built its reputation with the release of the critically acclaimed Weapon X Demo, which reviewers described as "an instant straight edge hardcore classic."{{cite web | title=XweaponX – Weapon X Demo REVIEW: An INSTANT Straight Edge Hardcore CLASSIC! | url=https://stitchedsound.com/xweaponx-weapon-x-demo-review-an-instant-straight-edge-hardcore-classic/ | website=Stitched Sound | accessdate=May 15, 2025 | archive-date=January 20, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120100706/https://stitchedsound.com/xweaponx-weapon-x-demo-review-an-instant-straight-edge-hardcore-classic/ | url-status=live }} More recently, XweaponX issued a new single, "Everybody Breaks," signaling their continued evolution and commitment to the genre.{{cite web | title=Knocked Loose offshoot XweaponX return with "Everybody Breaks" | url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/knocked-loose-offshoot-xweaponx-return-with-everybody-breaks/ | website=Brooklyn Vegan | accessdate=May 15, 2025}}
Musical style and influences
XweaponX's sound is characterized by aggressive, fast-paced rhythms, heavy breakdowns, and a raw vocal delivery. Their music blends elements of traditional hardcore punk with modern metalcore, all filtered through the lens of the straight edge ethos. This yields a style that is both uncompromising in its energy and tightly focused on the aesthetic and ethical principles of the movement.
Discography
- Weapon of Pleasure Split EP (2023) – A collaborative split release with World Of Pleasure.
- Weapon X Demo (2023) – A demo praised for capturing an authentic straight edge hardcore sound.
- Everybody Breaks (2023) – A single that further showcases the band's evolving musical approach.
- Weapon X Demo 2 (2025) – A follow up to the first demo, Weapon X Demo
Members
- Dave Baugher – vocals
- Bryan Garris – bass
- Isaac Hale – guitar
- Trey Garris – drums
- Bo Lueders – guitar (2023–present){{cite web |title=xWEAPONx and World Of Pleasure drop surprise split |url=https://www.lambgoat.com/news/38331/xweaponx-and-world-of-pleasure-drop-surprise-split/comments/ |access-date=May 16, 2025}}