Cut the Shit - Marked For Life

27 succinct tracks of blistering hardcore/punk in barely under 27 minutes, including bonus cuts from their one-sided 7" and the "Bored to Death" EP. Only one song hits two minutes and the recordings are loud as fuck with just the right amount of dirtiness, making for a clear and in your face sound that's tightly performed and unpolished. As for what to expect? Straightforward hardcore/punk in the angry and aggressive mid-80's style with a little rock 'n' roll to some of the chords or occasional lead breaks, throaty shouting vocals that don't mess around, pounding basslines and basic drumbeats, etc. You'll find 20-second ragers like "Doctor, Martyr", slightly slower and more driving pieces like "Gotta Get a Grip", some that crank the rock such as "Relax & Have a Drink", etc. Hell, "My Hands Around Your Birdneck" even tossed in some very subtle (and awesome) little melodic tinges. Also, a couple of the tracks from the "Bored to Death" 7" are ever so slightly heavier as far as their sense of rhythm, even though there are definitely no metal influences or major breakdown parts or anything of that nature. The older vinyl tracks do have slightly less aggressive recordings that aren't as bright or well rounded, but that doesn't bother me at all. It takes away some of the vocal character, but just barely. The layout keeps it pretty simple with a bunch of mugshots on the cover, some images of the other record covers on the back, and tons of text. The lyrics to all of the songs are included, and they're pissed off attacks on everything from the medical industry and issues within the scene to strictly personal topics. "Confusion has left me with few options to sort. I've burned my last bridge, I've torched my last resort. No longer at ease in my own mind. Self abuse and torture, I've led myself to ruin..." The only downside to this kind of hardcore is that it can be a little one-sided and lack songs that truly stand out, and that's sort of the case here, but they keep it short and to the point, so there's really not enough time to get bored. That pretty much covers it. It's one of those no nonsense hardcore records that will appeal very directly to a core audience of listeners who like their hardcore completely unadulterated, with plenty of attitude that doesn't shed its sense of purpose. Rock.

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