Mental Cruelty – Zwielicht
Release Date: 23rd June 2023
Label: Century Media
Order/Stream
Genre: Deathcore, Blackened Deathcore, Symphonic Metal, Black Metal.
FFO: Ov Sulphur, Dimmu Borgir, Fallujah, Lorna Shore.
Review By: Carlos Tirado
Mental Cruelty is a weird band, they defy easy categorization. While they may not fit the traditional definition of weirdness associated with disharmonic or abstract music, they have successfully combined elements that would not typically work together. It’s like mint chocolate – an unexpected blend that surprisingly works (for some people!). In their previous album, they demonstrated their ability to merge black metal with deathcore, and Zwielicht continues this trend by delving even deeper into Symphonic and Black metal, reminiscent of Dimmu Borgir-core.
The album opens with an overture track that prepares us for the relentless onslaught to follow. Midvinter doesn’t overstay its welcome, and I was willing to let it pass because Obsessis A Daemonio hits hard with its brutal assault. It encompasses everything you would expect from Mental Cruelty – blast beats, chilling melodies, synths, and breakdowns. Forgotten Kings maintains the same intensity, if not more. Just when I thought I might become fatigued from the relentless beatdown, Zwielicht arrives like a breath of fresh air. I appreciate it when bands sing in their native language, as it adds an aura of mystery and authenticity often lost in modern music. (Though I must admit, I did take some German language classes back in the day, so that ruins the mystery a bit) Symphony of a Dying Star deviates from the album’s pattern, leading me to believe I was listening to old Children of Bodom.
The drumming on this album is absolutely ridiculous. Is the drummer even human? It’s as if I’m hearing a human trigger. This level of drumming could rival any Fleshgod Apocalypse album. It’s that intense. I must also highlight the vocal work, which is incredibly diverse and skilful. The range includes growls, shrieks, clean vocals, pig squeals, and even more traditional singing. The variety is impressive, and they manage to avoid being overbearing, a common issue in Deathcore. Despite the album’s loudness (flatline waves for the win!), every element is intelligible, which is quite a feat considering the number of things happening here.
My only complaints are that the production is so refined and clean that it may feel somewhat artificial, especially given that most of the songs are 6–7 minutes long. I would love to experience their sound in a live setting because replicating this level of intricacy would undoubtedly be challenging. Another potential issue is that the symphonic parts may come across as melodramatic and chaotic to some listeners. However, the appreciation of these elements depends on the listener’s open-mindedness. Nevertheless, Mental Cruelty has undeniably discovered their own sound, and I can’t think of any other band with a similar style. That, to me, is the highest compliment a band can receive!
(4 / 5)
