American Nightmare made a significant impact with the 2001 release of their debut full-length album, ‘Background Music’, through Equal Vision Records, garnering substantial industry attention. The hardcore punk band, formed in 1998 by Tim Cossar, Wesley Eisold, Azy Relph, and Jesse van Diest, quickly established their presence with a debut demo tape in 1999. This was swiftly followed by their self-titled debut EP, released on Bridge 9 Records in 2000. Their early success continued with the 2001 release of their second EP, ‘The Sun Isn’t Getting Any Brighter’, which, combined with their first EP, formed the ‘Year One’ compilation, issued by Reflections Records the same year.

Coinciding with this resurgence, Deathwish Inc. reissued their acclaimed albums ‘Background Music’ and ‘We’re Down Til We’re Underground’ in 2011, making their foundational work accessible to a new generation of fans. Since their 2011 reunion, American Nightmare has maintained a strategic presence in the hardcore punk scene, consistently playing a select number of shows annually. Their return to active touring included joining the Togetherfest tour in 2017, reinforcing their enduring appeal.

Looking ahead to 2025, American Nightmare has announced several key engagements, including the GB x AN project, the ‘Year One’ 25th Anniversary Edition, an in-store performance at Rough Trade NYC, an appearance at TIED DOWN DETROIT, and an extensive Europe 2025 tour, further cementing their legacy and ongoing influence in the global hardcore community.