Review: “Psycles” by Culled

After spending some considerable time wandering the corridors between Hells Great Halls, it is time for Edmonton Canadians Culled to once again rise from the grave and deliver us to evil. A Doom encrusted Sludge Grindcore band specialising in themes of politics and misery, they were originally formed in 2017 following the departure of vocalist Shane Hawco and guitarist Ben Harbak from Bestir. A year later they introduced themselves with debut EP “Thin the Herd, Fail to Learn” before the trail went cold, aside from a 10 second long cover of “You Suffer” by Napalm Death released in 2020. It seemed commitments to other projects, including but not limited to Suic!de Pact and Third Chamber were the cause. However, cometh the hour, cometh the four horsemen of the apocalypse. A new rhythm section of drummer Curtis Blair and bassist Chris Chapman entered the fray. After a six year wait, recorded between October and December of 2023 at Lawless Recordings by Rob Lawless with the assistance of engineer Kyle Cusiac before being mixed by Jesse Gander (Brutus, Misery Signals, The Nausea) at Rain City Recorders and mastered by Brad Boatright (Kollapse, Cult Leader, Bossk) at Audiosiege, “Psycles” has arrived…

Mention the word “Grind” and you immediately think of short, fast and feral tunes to help you breathe more easily on any given day, however Culled are a different kind of creature. Instead they’re focused on the contrasts between chaotic grinding speed and sludging doom for generating their sparks, so a seven and a half minute opening cut in “Trauma of History” should come as no surprise. A two minute slow Doom fuelled introduction bursts into the all out assault on the senses and breakneck speed of Grind like a chainsaw cutting through the chest from behind. Hawco’s scalding vocals are like battery acid on the ear drums before the band return to their slower death march, painting the picture of the damage done by human beings to human beings all in the name of greed. It’s a thought provoking tale, bookend by tasteful spoken word while hitting harder than Mike Tyson in his prime in the mid section. It’s not just clever, it’s genius. Throwing their bullets in the fire and running like hell, title track “Psycles” is an all out 105 seconds of pulverising Deathgrind with a Hardcore Punk edge that punches you in the guts and then asks you to say thank you for it. The track has it all from intense blasting on the kit to razor sharp earworm riffs that get stuck in your cranium. It’s not quite the polar opposite of the opening cut but it cuts out the Doom in delivering Meta to the Masses.

A lyrical theme of corruption being the core of authoritarianism and religion is found in “Coercion“, a cut which bleeds on Psychological Death Metal roots while being laced with Groove. Reminiscent of bands like Strangle Wire, it finds Harbak bringing a little bit more technicality and a little less pace to the riffs with the rest of the band doing like wise. Blair brings powerful almost Sepultura inspired tribal fills to “Halo of Flies” as Hawco vents his spleen about how the patriarchy have given privilege for all those shallow reasons. A bitter and twisted bruiser of a track, it attacks with intent, leaving the victim bloodied by the frenzy of guitars, bass and drums, let alone the devilishly demonic vocals. What’s impressive about these songs is that their lyrical narratives give you pause for thought should you choose to take the opportunity but without necessarily pushing their agenda upon you. You can enjoy the trip to sonic oblivion without getting entangled should you so desire. Almost two tracks in one, “Excision (Lost Cause)” is a classic old school neck snapping Death Metal cut until the 160 second point. From there on it transcends into a Sludge Doom cut with riffs fit for worship as Hawco roars like a caged beast. A fine example of what the band can do with they put their collective minds together, this record is a monster not to be slept on [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Trauma of History
2. Psycles
3. Coercion
4. Halo of Flies
5. Excision (Lost Cause)

“Psycles” by Culled is out 26th July 2024 via Horror Pain Gore Death Productions