Review: “The Purge” by Cutthroat

They may have started out in 2013 but arguably what put Los Angeles Californian Metallic Hardcore crew Cutthroat on the map was their 2020 album “Reflekt“, a record which saw them in Europe as part of the Persistence tour with the likes of Agnostic Front, Gorilla Biscuits and H2O. It was there that the bands DIY or DIE work ethic, honest song writing and high octane live shows really shone through as they were able to hold their own upon crowded stages. What followed was 2023’s “Fear By Design“, an album produced by Biohazard guitarist and vocalist Billy Graziadei which proved that they had plenty more ammunition. That opened the doors for shows around the globe with Body Count, Madball and Sick Of It All to name but a few, founding member and frontman Neil Roemer now joined by Betto Cardoso on drums, Renato Romano on guitar and Bruno Nicolozzi on bass.

Adorned by cover artwork from the legendary Mick Lambrou (Agnostic Front, Slapshot, Sick Of It All) this collection begins with “Sick One“, a sample setting a dark tone before the groove laden guitars begin to flow in classic 90’s Hardcore style. The combination of harsh and rapped vocals works well, giving the track an old school, nostalgic vibe while the gang chants beg for crowd interaction when the band play this one live. Unrelated to the dystopian action horror franchise of the same name “Purge” has a classic lyrical narrative about someone who has crossed the band, the line “your mirror shows a picture of the thing you truly are!” hitting home. Hardcore riffs and blast beats will open the mosh pit while some riffs inspired by “Roots” era Sepultura are a nice touch.

A shade darker than the earlier cuts “Bullet Proof Mind” is a barn burner of an angry anthem with classic hardcore lyrical narrative about striving to survive against the odds with a clenched fist. Like a good number of these tracks you can imagine the band squeezing another five percent more energy in the live arena, the neck snap-able groove of this one making it an obvious choice to slot into the set list.

A two steppers dream with a classic “Bleigh!” moment “Hard Times” is a gritty look at the American nightmare through bloodshot eyes that brings yet more tight riffing, powerful percussion and gang chants. It may not escape the Brooklyn beat of Biohazard but that’s not necessarily a bad thing because it helps give the track the instant appeal of a lottery winning scratch card. A tale about moving on from a broken relationship “Feeling Disconnected” is arguably the most personal of this collection but is just as hostile, Roemer talking about seeing through the lies and knowing how to survive in a way that resonates. All in all a fine collection of old school Hardcore tunes that will survive the test of time [7/10]

Track Listing

1. Sick One
2. Purge
3. Bullet Proof Mind
4. Hard Times
5. Feeling Disconnected

“The Purge” by Cutthroat is out 21st August 2026 via M-Theory Audio and is available over at bandcamp