Restraining Order Released New Album “Locked In Time”

Locked In Time, the sophomore album from hardcore-punk band Restraining Order is out today on Triple B Records. From the opening notes of the record a familiar sound appears as “Addicted To This Life,” the closer from the band’s 2019 album This World Is Too Much, plays in reverse in the aptly titled “Addicted (Reprise)”, connecting the cinematic universe Restraining Order has built across both records. As Patrick Cozens shouts “They don’t know what this means, this life it chose me,” it sets the tone that this music isn’t a fad, these lyrics aren’t made up stories, these twelve songs are a documentation of the band members’ daily lives. 

Expanding on the albums lyrical themes, Cozens’ states: “Going into this record I decided to take a more present-day approach. It felt like the last record let me get a lot of things off my mind. I feel the band itself has helped me move forward in life and gain confidence in who I am. A lot of the lyrics on this record revolve around what I’ve been thinking about currently in life. The feeling of moving on from the past and looking towards the future. The anxieties of day-to-day life. Realizing what I must do to make myself happy. I wanted to take on the hardships of present-day life but also celebrate it. A lot of things will bring you down in this world, but you can always create your own world and see things the way you want to see them.”

The writing and recording process for Locked In Time was expansive, beginning in fall 2019 and completed in late 2022. With drummer Will Hirst at the helm of recording and production, it allowed the band to focus on the nuances and build upon a diverse sonic palette. At the surface, Locked in Time is very much a hardcore record, but it also dabbles with garage, psychedelia and other classic rock influences. Melody and hooks lay alongside the speed and chaos. Ambitious song structures are highlighted by seamless transitions. It’s a record meant just as much to connect with as it is for dancing in the pit, which makes sense for a band on tour nearly nonstop. The songs sway between moments of self awareness like on lead single “Misled” and just having a good time, as with the punchy “On The Run.” “Painted World” ends the record with the band’s longest track yet, harkening in on those more off the cusp influences and putting forth Restraining Order’s full vision.

And in reflection of those final notes, Cozens’ emphasizes: “I know that I can see the world the way I want to see it. I can make it mine. I can control my life and where I want to be. At first this world was too much but now I’ve learned to create my own.”

Locked In Time is available for purchase now through Triple B Records.

Restraining Order plays The Rumble in Chicago today and Sound and Fury in Los Angeles on July 29th. The band also has six East Coast shows slated for August, a run supporting Fiddlehead in late September, plus a just announced tour supporting Angel Du$t in late fall. All upcoming shows are listed below.

Tour Dates:

7/21 – Chicago, IL – The Rumble Festival

7/29 – Los Angeles, CA – Sound and Fury Festival

7/30 – Los Angeles, CA – Genghis Cohen w/ Fleshwater

8/6 – Wallingford, CT – Cherry Street w/ Crown Court + Violent Way

Record Release Weekend

8/11 – Holyoke, MA – Dracula w/ Broken Vow + Candy Apple + more

8/12 – New York, NY – TV Eye w/ Candy Apple + Burning Lord + more

8/13 – Philadelphia, PA – Foto Club Candy Apple + Burning Lord + more

w/ Mindforce, Simulakra, Scarab

8/18 – Baltimore, MD – Ottobar

8/19 – Syracuse, NY – Silver Street

8/20 – Portland, ME – The Cavern

9/9 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Monarch w/ Gorilla Biscuits + Cold World

w/ Fiddlehead

9/28 – Chicago, IL – Metro

9/29 – Toledo, OH – Ottawa Tavern

9/30 – Detroit, MI – Edgemen

10/1 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace

10/28 – Gainesville, FL – The Fest

11/17-11/19 – Tulsa, OK – Flyover Festival

w/ Angel Du$t

11/20 – Berkeley, CA – The Cornerstone

11/24 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom

11/25 – Albuquerque, NM – Launchpad

11/27 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger

11/28 – Austin, TX – The Mohawk

11/129 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live Studio

11/30 – Fort Worth, TX – Tulips

12/1 – Oklahoma City, OK – Resonant Head