Mugshot

Mugshot is a San Jose-based metallic hardcore outfit that has become a significant name in the 'New Wave of American Hardcore.' Emerging from the California scene in the mid-2010s, they spent years honing a sound that bridges the gap between the rhythmic 'chug' of 2000s metalcore and the raw, confrontational energy of modern hardcore.

Their 2021 release 'Empty Heaven' established them as masters of the breakdown-centric style, but it was their 2025 breakout 'All the Devils Are Here' that solidified their position at the forefront of the genre. Musically, they are characterized by extremely low tunings, dissonant lead work, and a vocal performance from Eli Truitt that emphasizes emotional instability. They are frequently associated with the 'San Jose Hardcore' (SJHxC) movement and have toured extensively with peers like Alpha Wolf and Boundaries. Critical consensus highlights their ability to maintain a high level of technicality without sacrificing the primitive, lizard-brain appeal of a well-timed breakdown. They represent a shift in the genre toward darker, more psychologically-driven lyrical themes, moving away from traditional hardcore tropes toward a more internal, existential form of aggression.