Ruthless is a name used by several different acts and artists, including a heavy metal band from Los Angeles, a beatdown hardcore band from Preston, a jump-style DJ from the Netherlands, a hardcore band from Tokyo, a beatdown hardcore band from Chicago, a death metal band from A Coruña in Galicia, and a dark ambient and experimental solo project from Argentina. The name is also associated with a UK hip hop artist.

Los Angeles heavy metal band

The best-documented Ruthless is the heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1982 by lead guitarist Kenny McGee and lead vocalist Sammy D. The band plays classic heavy metal with a sound described through its name: powerful, heavy and aggressive. Its line-up later includes Sammy D. on vocals, Kenny McGee on guitars, Jack Black on bass, Bob Guitrau on drums and Jim Durkin on guitars.

Ruthless releases a five-song EP on Iron Works Records in the United States, with releases also appearing on Banzia/Polygram in Canada and Axe Killer Records in Europe. The EP is produced by Bill Metoyer and does well, particularly in Europe. In 1985 the band issues its first full-length album, Discipline of Steel, on Axe Killer Records, and the initial pressing sells out. After disbanding in 1990, the group later returns for a reunion tour in 2008, including dates in Reno, Las Vegas, San Marcos and Redondo Beach, and appears as direct support for UFO.

Ruthless also plays Keep It True XII in Lauda, Germany, alongside Armored Saint and Lizzy Borden. In 1997, FGL/Axe Killer Records reissues Discipline of Steel together with Metal Without Mercy on CD as a limited edition collector’s release. The band later reissues Metal Without Mercy with two unreleased songs recorded in 1988, “Winds of War” and “White Death,” on Graveyard Productions in Italy. The reissue is remastered and presented with the additional tracks.

Other acts using the name Ruthless

Preston beatdown hardcore band

One Ruthless is a beatdown hardcore band from the north west of England, described as coming from Preston City. It is active between 2007 and 2009 and releases an EP titled Preston City Beatdown.

Jump-style DJ

Another Ruthless is the alias of DJ Ruthless, a jump-style DJ from the Netherlands.

Tokyo hardcore band

Ruthless is also the name of a hardcore band from Tokyo, with recordings available under the name on Bandcamp.

Chicago beatdown hardcore band

A separate Ruthless from Chicago plays beatdown hardcore with nu metal influences. It releases the EP Bad Blood in 2014 and has another release in progress for 2015.

Spanish death metal band

Another Ruthless is a death metal band from A Coruña, Galicia, Spain. It releases the EP Trilogy of Denial in 2016 and the full-length album Aftermath in 2019.

Argentine dark ambient and experimental project

There is also a dark ambient and experimental solo project from Argentina named Ruthless, which releases an album on the Buenos Aires-based label Isla Visión in 2025.