Get ready to hear your favorite '90s hardcore tracks like never before! Stephen Brodsky is flipping the script with an acoustic covers album that’s bound to stir emotions. After teasing fans earlier this year, the Cave In and Mutoid Man frontman has officially announced the release of Cut To The Core Vol. 1, dropping on October 31st. But here’s where it gets exciting: Brodsky isn’t just dropping an album—he’s hitting the road in November to bring these stripped-down renditions to life on stage. And this is the part most people miss: these aren’t just any covers; they’re intimate, reimagined versions of tracks that defined a generation of hardcore music.
Kicking off in Rowley, MA, on November 1st, Brodsky’s tour includes stops in Philadelphia, Brooklyn, and Baltimore, where he’ll share the stage with the likes of Sadie Dupuis, Scout Paré Phillips, and even Darkest Hour’s Mike Schleibaum and John Henry for an acoustic performance. Each show promises a raw, unfiltered experience that’s as bold as it is nostalgic.
The album itself is a labor of love, compiling Brodsky’s earlier online releases and giving them a fresh mix by Zach Weeks. From Snapcase’s Windows to Unbroken’s Fall On Proverb, each track is a testament to Brodsky’s ability to breathe new life into classics. Speaking of Windows, you can stream his hauntingly beautiful cover right now—it’s a perfect teaser for what’s to come.
But here’s the controversial part: Is stripping down hardcore tracks to their acoustic core a betrayal of the genre’s raw energy, or a brilliant way to highlight their emotional depth? Brodsky’s approach is sure to spark debate among purists and newcomers alike.
Here’s the full tracklist for Cut To The Core Vol. 1:
1. Windows (Snapcase cover)
2. Fall On Proverb (Unbroken cover)
3. Farewell Note To This City (Converge cover)
4. Midas (Threadbare cover)
5. Benchwarmer (Lincoln cover)
6. Two Snowflakes (Into Another cover)
7. Nickel Wound (Texas Is The Reason cover)
8. Fissures (By The Grace Of God cover)
9. Sometimes (Still Life cover)
10. The Game (Shotmaker cover)
11. Voice (Sense Field cover)
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just discovering these tracks, Cut To The Core Vol. 1 is a must-listen. But we want to hear from you: Do acoustic covers honor the original spirit of hardcore, or do they miss the mark? Let us know in the comments—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss!
