Mental Cruelty

{{Short description|German deathcore band}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Mental Cruelty | image = Mental_Cruelty_Pressebild.jpg | landscape = yes | caption = Mental Cruelty in early 2023. From left: Nahuel Lozano, Danny Straßer, Lukas Nicolai, Marvin Kessler and Viktor Dick | alias = | origin = Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany | genre = {{flatlist| *Deathcore *symphonic black metal }} | years_active = 2014–present | label = {{flatlist| *Century Media *Unique Leader *Rising Nemesis }} | website = {{url|mentalcrueltyofficial.com}} | current_members = {{ubl|Lukas Nicolai|Nahuel Lozano|Marvin Kessler|Viktor Dick|Jonathan Koltun}} | past_members = {{ubl|Julian Oberst|Alex Reichel|Alex Vespremi|Dennis Paßmann|Kevin Popescu|Lucca Schmerler|Danny Straßer}} }} '''Mental Cruelty''' is a German deathcore band formed in 2014 in Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg. The band's lineup currently consists of vocalist Lukas Nicolai, guitarists Marvin Kessler and Nahuel Lozano, bassist Viktor Dick and drummer Jonathan Koltun. The band have released four studio albums with their latest being ''Zwielicht,'' released on 23 June 2023 through Century Media Records. They have also released one EP and one demo. Mental Cruelty are currently signed to Century Media Records.

==History== The band released their debut demo ''Sickening World'' in 2015. This was followed by the release of their EP ''Pereat Mundus,'' released on 1 November 2016. After signing with Rising Nemesis Records, their debut album ''Purgatorium'' was released in January 2018. In 2019, Mental Cruelty signed a record deal with the US metal label Unique Leader Records and released their second album, ''Inferis'' on 10 May 2019. This album was produced by Sky van Hoff.<ref name=Inferis>{{cite web|url=https://distortedsoundmag.com/mental-cruelty-announce-new-album-inferis/|title=Mental Cruelty announce new album 'Inferis'|author=James Weaver|work=Distortedsoundmag.com|date=11 February 2019}}</ref> In March 2021, the band released the single "Ultima Hypocrita" featuring Japanese guitarist Yo Onityan, along with the announcement of their third full-length album, ''A Hill to Die Upon'', which was released On 28 May 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rockhard.de/artikel/mental-cruelty-a-hill-to-die-upon-titeltrack-im-video_542430.html|title=MENTAL CRUELTY - "A Hill To Die Upon"-Titeltrack im Video|author=Simon Bauer|work=RockHard.de|date=12 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weaver |first=James |date=6 March 2021 |title=Mental Cruelty release new music video for 'Ultima Hypocrita' |url=https://distortedsoundmag.com/mental-cruelty-release-new-music-video-for-ultima-hypocrita/ |website=Distorted Sound}}</ref> The album's title-track and the third single "King ov Fire" were both released in April 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 April 2021 |title=Mental Cruelty release new single "King Ov Fire" |url=https://bloodynews.ro/en/2021/04/29/mental-cruelty-release-new-single-king-ov-fire/ |website=Bloody news}}</ref>

On 2 March 2022, it was announced that Mental Cruelty had signed with Century Media Records.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://lambgoat.com/news/35761/blackened-deathcore-band-mental-cruelty-sign-with-century-media-records/ |title=Blackened Deathcore Band MENTAL CRUELTY Sign with Century Media Records |work=lambgoat.com|date=17 May 2022}}</ref> However, on 28 March 2022 the band announced that they had parted ways with singer Lucca Schmerler after several anonymous allegations of sexual abuse against him were published on Instagram. Schmerler denied the allegations and stated that he, his friends and family had been threatened since the anonymous allegations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://lambgoat.com/news/35951/mental-cruelty-part-ways-with-vocalist-lucca-schmerler-following-allegations/ |title=MENTAL CRUELTY Part Ways with Vocalist Lucca Schmerler Following Allegations |work=lambgoat.com|date=19 April 2022}}</ref>

On 24 February 2023, the band announced Lukas Nicolai from Sun Eater as their new vocalist and released two new singles titled "Zwielicht/Symphony of a Dying Star".<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 February 2023 |title=MENTAL CRUELTY Releases Two New Singles; Unveils New Singer |url=https://bravewords.com/news/mental-cruelty-releases-two-new-singles-unveils-new-singer |website=Bravewords}}</ref> On 14 April 2023, the band announced their fourth studio album, ''Zwielicht,'' which was released on 23 June 2023, along with the announcement, they also released the single "Forgotten Kings".<ref>{{cite web |author= |date=15 April 2023 |title=Mental Cruelty detail new Century Media release, share first single "Forgotten Kings" |url=https://lambgoat.com/news/38633/mental-cruelty-detail-new-century-media-release-share-first-single-forgotten-kings/ |work=Lambgoat}}</ref> The third single titled "Nordlys" was released on 25 May 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 May 2023 |title=MENTAL CRUELTY Releases New Single / Video "Nordlys" |url=https://bravewords.com/news/mental-cruelty-releases-new-single-video-nordlys |website=Bravewords}}</ref> On 17 January 2024, a deathcore band from Las Vegas named Ov Sulfur released a single titled "Hivemind" which featured guest vocals from Lukas Nicolai.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 January 2024 |title=Ov Sulfur Drop New Single "Hivemind" Featuring Mental Cruelty's Lukas Nicolai |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2024/01/17/ov-sulfur-drop-new-single-hivemind-featuring-mental-crueltys-lukas-nicolai/ |website=MetalSucks}}</ref> In October 2024, the band released an orchestral and instrumental version of the track "Mortal Shells" from the ''Zwielicht'' album, also announcing a deluxe version of the album would be released in December.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://lambgoat.com/news/44238/mental-cruelty-debut-orchestral-version-of-mortal-shells-from-upcoming-zwielicht-deluxe-edition/ | title=Mental Cruelty debut orchestral version of "Mortal Shells" from upcoming 'Zwielicht' deluxe edition | work=lambgoat.com | date=4 October 2024 | accessdate=30 November 2024}}</ref> This would then be followed by an instrumental and piano reimagined version of the track "Symphony Of A Dying Star".<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 November 2024 |title=Mental Cruelty share reimagined piano version of "Symphony Of A Dying Star" ft Misstiq |url=https://lambgoat.com/news/44734/mental-cruelty-share-reimagined-piano-version-of-symphony-of-a-dying-star-ft-misstiq/#:~:text=Mental%20Cruelty%20has%20released%20a,accompanied%20with%20an%20official%20visualizer. |website=Lambgoat}}</ref>

==Musical style and influences== Mental Cruelty is generally considered a deathcore band.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dizdarevic |first=Amanda |date=2023-06-23 |title=Mental Cruelty - ZWIELICHT |url=https://www.metal-hammer.de/reviews/mental-cruelty-zwielicht/ |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=Metal Hammer |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 May 2021 |title=Mental Cruelty – A Hill to Die Upon (Review) |url=https://wonderboxmetal.com/2021/05/25/mental-cruelty-a-hill-to-die-upon-review/ |website=Wonderbox Metal}}</ref> Since ''A Hill to Die Upon'', the band has incorporated elements of symphonic black metal,<ref>{{cite web |title=ALBUM REVIEW: Zwielicht – Mental Cruelty |url=https://distortedsoundmag.com/album-review-zwielicht-mental-cruelty/ |website=Distortedsoundmagazine |date=June 27, 2023}}</ref> a direction which guitarist Marvin Kessler has stated to be influenced by Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir, Lorna Shore and Fleshgod Apocalypse.<ref>{{cite web |title=Interview : Mental Cruelty – English |url=https://actainfernalis.com/2021/05/27/interview-mental-cruelty-english/ |website=Acta Infernalis |date=27 May 2021}}</ref>

==Band members== ===Current=== * Lukas Nicolai – vocals (2023–present) * Nahuel Lozano – guitar (2020–present) * Marvin Kessler – guitar (2014–present) * Viktor Dick – bass (2016–present) * Jonathan Koltun – drums (2025–present)

===Former=== * Julian Oberst – bass (2014–2016) * Alex Reichel – guitar (2014–2016) * Alex Vespremi – drums (2016) * Kevin Popescu – drums (2016–2019) * Dennis Paßmann – guitar (2016–2020) * Lucca Schmerler – vocals (2014–2022) * Danny Straßer – drums (2020–2025)

=== Live === * Marco Bayati – guitar (2019) * Danny Joe Hofmann – drums (2019) * KC Brand – drums (2024–present)

==Discography== ===Albums=== * ''Purgatorium'' (2018) * ''Inferis'' (2019) * ''A Hill to Die Upon'' (2021) * ''Zwielicht'' (2023)

===EPs=== * ''Pereat Mundus'' (2016)

=== Demos ===

* ''Sickening World'' (2015)

== References == {{Reflist}}

Category:German death metal musical groups Category:Century Media Records artists Category:Musical groups established in 2014 Category:2014 establishments in Germany Category:German deathcore musical groups Category:Symphonic deathcore musical groups Category:Blackened deathcore musical groups