ALBUM REVIEW: Inferis – Mental Cruelty

2019 has been a bit of a bruiser with regards to the sheer gargantuan weight of some of the music being released. With home grown talent like OSIAH dropping a record that could be used as a blunt force trauma weapon, and also some of the most violent music mainland Europe has thrown out in a while, there remains a fantastic energy within the heavy underground music scene. MENTAL CRUELTY are testament to that last statement, with the German heavyweights already proving themselves to be experts at pushing the boundaries of extremity with a few early releases.

Having shown themselves to be more than capable at pushing the boundaries of extremity, MENTAL CRUELTY are looking to further their campaign of violence with their latest record, Inferis, released via renowned purveyors of extreme Unique Leader. Being on Unique Leader comes with a certain need to be able to hold your own against the rest of the brutish label roster. MENTAL CRUELTY don’t just hold their own, they seek to victimise their fellow stable mates with a genuine shocking display of aggression. Planet of Terror brings just that, and the crushing slam influenced riffs work hand in hand with the demonic noises that come from the throat of vocalist Lucca Schmerler.

The vocal powerhouse is one of the best things about Inferis. Human Evisceration boasts a monstrous guttural to usher in the destructive final moments, and the same can be said for Mundus Vult Decipi, as the song simple grinds to shocking end that seeks for nothing short of utter obliteration.

There are lots of big descriptive words here, but MENTAL CRUELTY seek to be as dominant in their musical delivery as possible, and as such there remains a genuine lack of memorable structures and moments that will linger after listening. Yes, the breakdowns are among the heaviest you will hear this year, but outside of these hefty moments, MENTAL CRUELTY rely on their speed and pace to get them from one highlight to the next. There is a brooding and dark atmosphere created thanks to sheer brutality of the music, and this adds a deeper layer to Inferis.

There is a strong argument to be made that MENTAL CRUELTY could get even heavier. Whilst they wield a mighty sound, through utilising better structures there could indeed be more brutish still. The technical prowess is flooring, the vocals are horrifically brilliant, and the slam influences mean that when the riffs hit they are earth shattering. Now combine this with a strong sense of musicality and you could have a truly unstoppable act on your hands.

Rating: 6/10

Inferis is out now via Unique Leader Records. 

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