CRUELTY
ThereIs No God Where I Am
CHURCH ROAD
UK hardcore quintet resurrect the spirit of Hydra Head-era metalcore
The frenetic energy of both of Cruelty’s EPs marked them out as one of UK hardcore’s most exciting new prospects, and this dynamic debut LP is another huge step up. Recalling the chaotic assault of early 00s metalcore heroes like Botch with a healthy portion of both Slayer-esque thrashing and unexpectedly poignant melodicism, the album has a much wider scope than the EPs, from wild, technical tracks like Live, more mosh-friendly songs like Dead Culture and even desolate, atmospheric and crestfallen pieces like the post-metal-inspired Cut. Despite the unpredictable, hectic song structures, however, the album never feels disjointed or incoherent; there’s a fluid and remarkably assured quality to its sequencing, making the title track’s huge, emotive climax feel even more powerful.