REVIEW: Sparta - Cut A Silhouette

Sometimes a band comes along and somehow make the world feel a little lighter and a little different. For the past two decades, SPARTA have done exactly that. With their latest album Cut A Silhouette, the El Paso trio add another emotionally charged chapter to their ever-growing catalogue. For those unfamiliar with SPARTA, the band fuse melodic guitar rock anthems with angst-ridden songwriting, balancing raw emotion with soaring instrumentation. Their 2002 debut Wiretap Scars remains the cornerstone of their success, built on rugged post-hardcore foundations, while later material like Trust The River revealed a more polished and mature side to the band. Cut A Silhouette comfortably sits somewhere between the two.

Opening track Split Lip wastes no time setting the tone. Sharp guitar chords crash into pounding drums with a classic 2000s rock feel, delivering the kind of toe-tapping, head-rocking energy SPARTA have always thrived on. There’s angst running through its core, but also a frantic groove that instantly pulls listeners in. Crater follows with shades of QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE buried beneath the grit. Jim Ward’s raspy vocals and slick guitar work give the track a swaggering confidence, while Mouthbreather keeps the momentum going with fast riffs, controlled bass and a dominant sound throughout. Both tracks were co-written by Frank Iero of MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, and although he doesn’t feature directly, his fingerprints are all over their restless energy. Together, they feel like two underground hysteria tracks ready to explode in a packed-out venue.

Daydream is a reflection on their past material and what many fans will love about SPARTA. Psychedelic and euphoric tones, addictive guitar riffs, and solid drum work from Neil Hennessy gives the track a strong sense of identity and flow. See You Soon slows things right down; there is an element of U2 in its delivery, which allows it to become something genuinely beautiful. It moves through emotions of loss and pain into hope and love with ease. It’s a real gem of a song — the raspiness of Ward’s voice alongside piano and guitar work creates something that drifts into an almost rock lullaby. See You Soon was co-written with Kemble Walters , who also plays on it, while Adrian Bourgeois adds piano, bringing different influences together to shape its melodies.

Everything You Say takes a turn down a more synthetic path, shifting through multiple styles, changes in pace, and texture before ultimately grounding itself again. The bassline remains the constant driving force throughout, with bass guitarist Matt Miller delivering a steady, commanding performance. Without Your Hands is the final full rock eruption on the album, packed with standout moments. From a face-melting guitar solo courtesy of Ward to a stomach-churning drum solo from Hennessy, it delivers pure intensity. The production also stands out, with heavy distortion, amp texture, and fading guitar notes making it one of the strongest tracks on the record.

Midnights drops back into a slower sway. A soul-stirring guitar solo in the bridge lifts it into anthem territory, clearly built for gigs and festival crowds. It’s a track that will resonate with die-hard fans, and the echoing line “I wanna feel everything” lands with real emotional weight. Mystery Of Missing feels like a time machine back to a ’90s Britpop influence. Isolated, distorted guitars and a slower drum pace set the tone before it catapults back into the present with raspy screams and heavier hits to close it out. The final track on the album, Glimmer, begins with an acoustic undertone — just Ward and his guitar at first — before the full trio join in unison. The pace is steady, the lyrics feel raw and meaningful, and it closes the record in a restrained, reflective way that suits the album’s experimental nature.

Bands don’t stay relevant or at the peak of their ability by playing it safe or going too rogue — they lose their sound and drift out of touch with the organic feel that made them stand out. SPARTA add another strong entry to their catalogue here: a record that makes you feel, while still throwing in a few straight-up rock moments for good measure.

Score: 9/10

Cut A Silhouette will be released on 29th May 2026 via Rude Records / Equal Vision Records.

Words: David Waites

Photos: John Carluccio