Mugshot - ‘Cold Will’ review
Mugshot by Cu Chulainn Dillingham
Those unfamiliar with West Coast mob Mugshot are about to find out. The societally charged trio signed to Pure Noise Records back in May and promised a EP “crafted by the pains of life”. That EP is Cold Will, and is upon us as of 3 November. Here’s what we thought:
Having an opening track clock in at the sub-2-minute mark is a real statement of intent. 'Life's Debt' dropped back in September, Mugshot's 2nd original track with Pure Noise. This covers a lot of bases in a short time, opening with samples and a crushing intro akin to Graphic Nature. Vocalist Ringo Waterman has chops as a lyricist, but it's his delivery that makes 'Life Debt' a grenade of a track. It covers 'abuse, manipulation, and general lack of humanity' in society. 'Life Debt' is an example of that discussion done well, and better than a lot of bands in the '-core' genres.
Our first new track, 'Blood Covered Bruise', is where the instruments reach a new level for Mugshot. “Crushing” would be underselling Connor Haines and Michael Demko on drums and guitar. 'Bruise' benefits from being a sliver longer in length and its placing in the EP. 'Life Debt' seemed to flow very well into this and makes 'Blood Covered Bruise' feel the more complete track of the two.
The first half of the EP closes out with a feature from Josh Mata of Skin Ticket on the track 'Cold Will'. The title track dropped on 11 October, completing our sneak peek of offerings from the EP. This is the perfect track for Mugshot to sign there name on as the EP's flagpole sound. The bass that backs Mata's vocals keeps the "pure unbridled anger" bubbling, and still spotlights the feature. It's as intense and raw as the previous two tracks, and the feature adds a new variety to the sound.
We kick the final two tracks of the West Coaster’s EP off with the debut track. 'Left In The Wake' popped up alongside their signing to Pure Noise back in May. Mugshot are proficient in delivering a beatdown of a track, but this has more beneath the surface. The group detailed that 'Left In The Wake' “deals with the fear of your life having no purpose or worth". Those relating to this message likely leave a show feeling a lot better than when they entered. It tackles that dark concept with a chaotic and heavy track, which is what hardcore has long been about. 'Left In the Wake' is a great addition to Cold Will.
'Within Stained Glass' is one final plunge into Mugshot's relentless sound. This is a constant and guttural effort from Ringo Waterman up until the same samples that started the EP fade it out. Mugshot is a band that's more than the sum of its parts, and a testament to what bands can achieve with a stripped-back lineup. This signs the EP off as intense as it started, and delivers on the promise of chaotically heavy riffs.
Cold Will is a perfect entry in 2020's hardcore and metalcore, and produced for all the right reasons. Cold Will was stated ahead of time as a "callout to any abusive person that has manipulatively used their power". This EP only scratches the 12-minute mark, and in that brief time makes a big impact. You can expect a complete powder keg when these tracks get played live, and won't have to wait long. The band have a loyal listener base over in the US, it's time they get their due here in the UK.
Cold Will from Mugshot is out 3 November via Pure Noise Records and available on all good streaming platforms. Catch Mugshot on tour in the UK this December with The Amity Affliction, Alphawolf & Comeback Kid:
5 December - O2 Kentish Town Forum, London
6 December - Rock City, Nottingham
7 December - Leeds Beckett Student Union, Leeds
8 December - Cardiff Students' Union – Y Plas, Cardiff