Review: “Baptized in the Gutter” by Mongrel

Hailing from San Diego California, Mongrel are a comprised of musicians known for their prior convictions in World of Pain, Poison Headache and Xibalba, used to cutting their way through the urban jungle to claim their territory. The five piece drew first blood in 2022 with a three track debut EP “Off The Leash“, their combinations weaving a web of 90’s style Death Metal and Hardcore while being laced with themes of anger, violence and inner struggles. A sophomore record three years in the making, “Baptized in the Gutter” was mixed and mastered by Dan Swano (Insomnium, Maceration, Dark Funeral) at Unisound with guitars and vocals recorded with Taylor Young (Nails, Drain, Twitching Tongues) at The Pit and drums with Alex Jacobelli (SeeYouSpaceCowboy, Distressor, Doc Hammer) at Sunsick Studios.

Wasting no time with long atmospheric introductions, Mongrel leave it just two seconds before vocalist Conor Drury bares his teeth with a vicious and venomous vocal bite. A ferocious opening cut with the distinctive flavours of “Chaos A.D.” era Sepultura, opening cut “Tightrope Walk” is a savage mauling at the hands on an apex predator. The Thrash style solo is straight out of the Gary Holt playbook before a classy transition into downtempo groove lets the rumbling bass from Andy Kukta hit home. Title track “Baptized in the Gutter” rages out of the gate with Hardcore Punk sensibilities as if Sick Of It All were playing a Thrash cover, two step rhythms and a little whammy bar action utterly glorious before a solo that shreds. The only issue with this one is that at 130 seconds it cuts way to short and could easily go another round before the knock out blow. A spoken word that crawls through the gutters of addiction introduces “The Aftermath” in eerie fashion before Drury roars with a clenched fist against the pain of a life once lived. The grit and integrity of the lyrics means they resonate without any kind of woe is me sentiment, the soloing once again absolutely immense. Heavy and primal “Wreckage In Our Path” hits like a prize fighter in crossover Thrash with Hardcore Punk energy, a powerful statement piece about finding the strength to survive against all odds and being built to last one to which we can all relate. Each of these short, sharp and intense tracks is as straight to the point as they come with “No Flesh, Just Bone” no exception. A testament to how good the 90’s scene actually was, this one is restless and relentless blunt force trauma that gives drummer Ryan “Face” Brooks the opportunity to shine. Naturally he grasps it with both hands, providing a wealth of nuanced fills and bursts of blast beats to keep the others honest. Please sirs, we beg you, can we have some more?! [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Tightrope Walk
2. Baptized in the Gutter
3. The Aftermath
4. Wreckage in Our Path
5. No Flesh, Just Bone

“Baptized in the Gutter” by Mongrel is out 21st February 2025 via Daze and HardLore Records