Reviews list for Mental Cruelty - Pereat Mundus (2016)

Mental Cruelty has always been a deathcore band. However, there are two different styles they fall in; brutal slam deathcore and symphonic blackened deathcore. The 2010s era lies within the former. The blend of slam death metal and deathcore the band perfected in their debut album Purgatorium can also be heard in the EP Pereat Mundus. The more hardcore-sounding riffing, screams, and breakdowns steer the band's sound right on the line between the two subgenres. And I actually love this sound as much as their later era! The brutality can go all-out nuts without having to have the total gore of other slam-death bands.

"Oppressionis Potentia" is the most f***ing brutal way to start, like THE SH*T. It's a massive start to this band and their earlier era. "Master of the Void" is also something not to be missed out on. It continues this brutal slam deathcore bordering in on downtempo deathcore. The powerful riffing and demonic growls take you to a f***ing dark realm. Then "Human Evisceration" keeps up the brutal hellfire. F***ing incredible strength and speed on this one, with more of this vocal insanity.

"Excruciation" is another solid brain-blasting banger. It features guest vocals by Dennis Schuler of Gutrectomy. The one track I have a problem with is "Seed of Evil", mainly because it's too short. A bit of an anticlimax there.

So what makes this EP great? Nice brutal riffing, heavy slamming drumming, and vicious growls. Lucca Schmerler has performed some of the most intense harsh vocals around. It's a shame we can't take him too seriously because of the abuse allegations that would get him fired in 2022, but of course, I can sometimes separate the art from artist. Pereat Mundus is a superb start not for the faint of heart!

Favorites: "Oppressionis Potentia", "Master of the Void", "Human Evisceration"