"On No Fate, expect plenty of gruff vocals, ultra-melodic guitars and catchy choruses from Lock And Key, a Boston punk act whose sound is straight outta Gainesville. The band is energetic, dynamic and smart, and for fans of early Hot Water Music and Blank, you can't afford not to check out Lock And Key" - Alternative Press

"Best Boston Band 2004!" - Boston Phoenix

"Post-hardcore needs one solitary ingredient to truly engage; panic. That palpable, almost suffocating feeling that echoes from the depths of all great post-hardcore records, of a band at a loss of what to do and where to go (non-musically of course) is utterly enthralling, and Lock And Key have it in spades. On occasions, as with the abrasive chaff of "No Fate," you can literally hear the desperation engulfing their music, channelling their relentless wire of riffage and razor-cut vocals into an emotional void that's at breaking point. It makes a mockery of post-hardcore's plentiful pretenders and by rights should catapult Lock And Key to the very top of the pile." - Logo

"Boston's Lock and Key have a honed formula on their first release, No Fate. This seven-song set is the definition of working man's hardcore. Guitars swarm and assail like a besieged hornets nest, yet also incorporate a rough-edged melody to substantiate the music without making it sound too pretty. Drummer Keith Casella's frenzied beats whip the music into a lather and just as easily relent to give the claustrophobic surroundings a little air. Guitarists Ryan Shanahan and Mike Vera contribute gruff but sincere vocals, often shouting in unison on peak moments. The result is minimalist hardcore performed with clenched-teeth determination. Fewer hard-hitting bands feel more organic and heartfelt." - Journal Review

"You may never have heard of Lock And Key, but you will! This tight bunch of rockers have their eyes on the prize. They have a sound reminiscent of Hot Water Music, and strong personal ties to Read Yellow. Their first EP, No Fate, was released on indie label Deep Elm, which will also be releasing their full-length album this fall. Local they may be, but they're playing packed shows just about everywhere they plug in." - Boston Phoenix: Stuff at Night

"Lock And Key's seven-song debut EP is a crazy (but good) mess of punk, indie rock and post-hardcore. What's good about No Fate is that vocals and music are seamlessly intertwined. This is how Lock And Key gets across their message. Most bands settle for creating a song and conveying their message with lyrics. Lock And Key's guitars furiously strain at the bit, drums emit a rapid-fire, and Shanahan's voice reels urgently to create a united front of devastatingly good-sounding music." - Lollipop

"Lock And Key is an energetic new group that wants to rip you to shreds with emotion and melody. On No Fate the group fairs pretty well. You've got the chugging riffs that never let go of their melody and drive, and the gruff vocals. Lock And Key incorporates the slightest bit of skate punk to make this mix pleasing to anyone who considers him / herself a fan of heavy indie rock. No Fate is heavy with full out rockers, and Independence Game, with its gritty power is a standout. It's a debut that offers promise and punch...a nice combination." - Wonkavision

"What a grand entrance from Lock And Key, who on No Fate have come the closest to matching the high standards of quality set by Hot Water Music. Lock And Key perform a similar style of dense, yet accessible hard rock with erosive vocals and an ardent sense of melody. This entire seven-song debut is outstanding. This disc has a great shot at lasting as the best debut of 2004. No Fate has everything going for it." - Punk International

"No Fate from Lock And Key brims with seething emotion, serving up a big, crunchy sound that excels in raw character while dragging along a throaty shout-along like quality. Similar to Avail, the band has that well-worn varnish of experience and observation through their lyrics and textured songwriting. Crutches is a magnificent standout, with an incessant drive, pummeling through the air like an out of control steam engine. No Fate finishes up exceptionally strong with Provocation, cutting hard, like the sound of 10,000 inept pop-punk bands being sacrificed at the altar of irreverence. I feel like Lock And Key has just barely opened the door towards unleashing the band's tremendous potential. Fate or not, Deep Elm has found a gem in this young group." - Pastepunk

"Having just dropped their debut No Fate on the now legendary Deep Elm, Boston's Lock And Key comes riding a wave of momentum...and the hype is legit. The seven songs of impressive post-hardcore aggression have the boys creating a powerfully crunchy dual-guitar approach that sits well alongside the vocal work of talented frontman Ryan Shanahan. Lock And Key is worth checking out if you're the type who likes to see a band before they blow up versus after." - Local Planet

"Lock And Key is a new hardcore/post-punk outfit that rip through seven songs on No Fate. We get chunky guitars wrapped around great heavy melodies, and Ryan Shanahan's vocals are a perfect fit for the songs. This music is melodic but it weighs a ton and the guitar riffs grow on you with every listen. No Fate is a strong record and I can hardly wait for a full-length from Lock And Key." - Music Emissions

"Lock And Key play smart, insightful hardcore on No Fate. My only complaint is that there simply was not enough of it. There is not a weak effort among this crop of songs as all of the tracks are infectious, chugging anthems driven by the vocals of Ryan Shanahan. The band finds a groove early on the opening Independence Game, and this level of intensity rings true throughout as the boys become even more aggressive on Selective Memory and the closing Provocation. Lock And Key impressively capture cohesiveness on No Fate and they remind me of a team without any superstars, but rather four guys who play incredibly well together. A very solid debut." - Jersey Beat

"Lock and Key have created a post-hardcore record full of purpose and raucous exhilaration with No Fate. The band brings the momentum of prestigious punk rock into their sound while displaying a strong rhythmic foundation to grow from. Tracks such as Independence Game really hook you when the loud humming of the amplifiers transforms into a raging punk song. Creatively sparked songs like Clusterfuck and Selective Memory also prove to be standouts. Lock And Key manages to create a debut that is nearly flawless and every song on the EP is excellent...a feat rarely seen from newcomers." - Rift Rock

"Sometimes, a little unrest is a good thing for rock. Take, for example, Boston post-hardcore outfit Lock And Key, which takes rapidfire, emotionally dense rock to new artistic heights on its debut, No Fate. Over the EP's seven tracks, Lock And Key showcases a series of powerful, foreboding songs that exhibit an emotional and lyrical depth uncommon to most young bands. It's a depth that's gotten the band working on its debut full length for indie label Deep Elm, as well as its current 49-day national tour. Yet for all its cerebral insights and emotional outbursts, the band delivers musically, Lock and Key still knows how to rock." - Athens Banner Herald

"Lock And Key's gritty, tight sound speaks integrity with every breath, and you get a real feeling that the band is fighting against the darkness of life on No Fate. Full of both hope and despair, the record is very full, thick with Lock And Key's dual guitars, riding bass and perfectly timed percussion. The vocals hammer away with a gravelly urgency that demand to not be taken lightly. No Fate is a damn fine piece of work. It's everything you want in a post-hardcore album, and then some. Do yourself a favor and go out and get this, especially if you have been let down by a lot of bands lately. No Fate may instill your faith in music." - 30music

"Lock And Key's debut No Fate is an intelligent mixture of post hardcore, punk and indie rock. This could very well be some of the most honest and sincere rock out there. The driving force behind this band is vocalist / guitarist Ryan Shanahan. Shanahan's delivery immediately catches your attention and never lets you go. The approach is dirty, raspy and gruff which definitely separates them from most bands playing this type of music. Lock And Key has a sound that is raw, fast paced and dirty. The guitars are really heavy and distorted, the bass is very loud and the drummer's attack is on-point. If you are a big fan of Deep Elm's previous releases or you like heavy, fast paced rock n' roll, pick this up. I'll be spinning No Fate for a while." - Absolute Punk

"No Fate from Lock And Key is fueled by passion and a burning intensity. Playing a post-hardcore hybrid, bands like this don't turn up everyday. Lock And Key are certainly in the right place and with the right people to get noticed...and with quality songs like the amazing Crutches, it won't be long before a wider audience will appreciate them. No Fate is post-hardcore that is both 'hard' and accessible." - Big Cheese

"Lock And Key is the genuine post-hardcore article. On No Fate, their roots are steeped in pathos and holy rage. The music is from the underground, where you've got to play your ass off to get anywhere, where integrity is demanded, and in this case, delivered. The rhythm section is tighter than a Republican welfare bill, with drums and bass tattooing the songs without mercy. Twin guitars provide a counter melody to the great vocals. Especially check out Crutches, an amazing 4 minutes of hardcore bliss. Lock And Key is an exciting upcoming band that runs with the post-hardcore torch held high." - Culture Bunker

"No Fate from Lock And Key is an interesting listen, with an excellent dynamic between vocalist Ryan Shanahan and fellow guitarist Mike Vera. Their intense interplay is particularly strong on the song Selective Memory. Lock And Key do not fall short in the emotion category. From the gut-wrenching vocals to the all-out percussive blast, the band demonstrates a sincerity and energy that is sure to lead them to their own place musically." - Exclaim

"Post-hardcore doesn't get any better than No Fate from Lock And Key. Bringing influences from Planes Mistaken For Stars and Hot Water Music, the band is able to put some originality into this genre. Rapid-fire drumming, crunching dual guitars and aggressive, striking vocals make Lock And Key a real rock n' roll killing machine. No Fate shows intensity, passionate songwriting and fury." - Truepunk

"Lock And Key slam out seven awesome tracks on No Fate with heavy melodies and raspy vocals. I can't think of a better way to describe this other than a 'listener record.' Anyone can play this to it till the end of their days because you can put it in and listen all the way through without having to skip any tracks. I commend the boys for this effort because it is truly is fabulous. Keep your eyes out for Lock And Key...they should be a household name in the coming year." - Inkdrinker

"Lock And Key is a Boston band who play good ol' fashioned melodic punk rock in the vein of Hot Water Music. Their debut, No Fate, is powerful, raw and emotive in its delivery. The production quality is pretty damn good as well...very solid and polished, but keeping the band's raw energy. On No Fate, you get seven great tunes. Lock And Key are talented at what they do, and it shows. This makes me want to play in a band again. Pick it up!" - Calamity Project

"It's nice to see a band like Lock And Key play real kick-ass punk rock, especially at a time where groups like Good Charlotte consider themselves punk. On No Fate, these guys don't mess around with today's usual radio crap, nor do they sound reminiscent of the dime a dozen mindless hardcore bands whose records are loud, but have little else to offer. This album was refreshing after hearing the nine million whiny poser punk bands around now. I wish more records sounded this way." - Soundcheck

"Destroying ears from up north in Boston, Lock And Key are a knock back to old school hardcore with new school stylings. It's the lyrics that separate No Fate from other contenders, but you also gotta love the throaty and hoarse vocal style that combines perfectly with the melodic and high tempo post-punk rockers." - Smother

"No Fate is the debut from Lock and Key and it has a ton of upside. Containing seven tracks filled with some really good riffs, insane vocals and great production, the band plays fast paced punk influenced rock. With emotional lyrics and some really amazing background vocals, Lock And Key have a knack for writing catchy songs. This is only their debut EP and I can't even imagine where they're going to go in the next year...but I can't wait to find out." - Insert Label

"Playing a style of melodic hardcore, Lock And Key have a good straight forward approach and flow, sincere lyrics that are honestly sung. No Fate is an accomplished record that is a progressive step toward something great." - Impact Press

"Lock And Key are serious emo hard-hitters, and on No Fate they've come out fight strong, armed with the ideals of the Hot Water Music era of No Idea Records. If you dig that, you might appreciate this too." - Amp

Independence Game like a song that's been sung before this seems all too familiar but strangely distinct. this time it's every man for himself, nature's harshest reality. held under water, can we help each other? or is it too late? gasping for air, lungs filled with water. is it over? is it too late? i never meant to hurt you, so delicate, so innocent, so sweet. now i'm dealing with the guilt, the consequences of our independence game. held under water, can we help each other? or is it too late? gasping for air, lungs filled with water. is it over? is it too late? 2nd Quarter Broken seeing things from another's point of view. hearing things from a whole new you. try to understand where it all began. your roots, beliefs, goals and demands. what if all those words you said were true? (words don't lie). what if i played victim? (victim just like you). while i can't say that i fully comprehend. i can say that we'll miss you, friend. don't say that we let you down. i hope we'll (still) see you around Clusterfuck my brain is racked like a throat, cannot scream without another breath. my heart is weak like an overrun horse, it needs a chance to breath, to rethink. the breath is sacred, just like a chance to rethink. the chance feels like days, the horse grows lonesome, the heart mends. stop saying that you know what's right for me, that we are the same. stop saying that we are the way we are, that we cannot change. stop telling me that i've had my chance, that i am too late. cause you can't tell me what i've got to say Crutches what does it mean to you? do you need its calm? does it represent the answer to your qualms? what could it mean for them? would they sing this song? if you don't know you'll just blindly sing along. rethink. rethink again, think again. its yours. its yours again, yours again. your choice to choose again, choose again. to question Selective Memory we used to dream out loud. we could talk about our future together and the days when we would finally be free. "take some time apart. it is what we need." can this make us stronger? will we find what we've been looking for? if we don't like what we find can we just shelter it? like the actions of a drunken night, we could black it all out. selective memory. now we're separated. taking a break. i don't know if we will ever be happy Outsider they say we'll never need it. your fathers did the same. just sign your name right here. they say we fight for freedom. security's at stake. there's no backing down. heartbeat racing, future's fading. you just don't know what to believe Provocation and you said you don't feel it. and you said you don't feel it at all. what you can't see, i see it. what you can't see, i see it in you. the feeling's got to be there. the feeling lies dormant in you. what you don't know, i know it. it's buried deep, hibernating in you. and you said you didn't mean it. and you said you didn't mean it at all. what you thought, you couldn't say it. you couldn't say it, cause you knew it was true. you can't take back, you screamed it. you screamed it like you felt it was true. your words provoked reaction. reaction i didn't mean to be true. and you said you don't feel it. what you can't see, i see it. this feeling's got to be there. what you don't know, i know it. and you said you didn't mean it. what you thought, you couldn't say it. you can't take back, you screamed it. the cycle continues