Human Cull – To Weep For Unconquered Worlds (Self-released)

Thanks to albums such as Stillborn Nation – not to mention an impressive array of splits and EPs – Human Cull have established themselves as one of UK grindcore’s most exciting acts.

And while it’s been four years since the band released their last full length, 2018’s incendiary Revenant, the South West crew have lost none of the inventiveness that ran through that record.

Indeed, To Weep For Unconquered Worlds pushes further into post-Extreme Conditions Brutal Truth turf, especially on Instinct Enthroned, Before, Unmaker and Confession Archive.

Anchored by Luke Archer’s cataclysmic bass rumble (the guy could rival BT’s Dan Lilker) these tracks seethe with chaotic energies and warped sonics. They’re jarring and tumultuous, wild spasms of discordant violence that jab like pincers.

However, when the trio opt for a (slightly) more conventional route, the results are similarly devastating.

Pyredancer is a punishing two minutes of scorched earth grind, bearing some of the record’s heaviest riffs… and a pitch black atmosphere.

Subject To Predation shows off the band’s crustier side while slamming you repeatedly into a concrete wall.

There are moments on Time Of Ending that smell of prime Napalm.

And when vocalist/guitarist Edd Robinson roars “this is Armageddon” over the opening title track, you simply can’t argue with him. In Human Cull’s extensive armoury, this song is a weapon of mass destruction, a true planet killer.

Ok, so Revenant had a sharper, slicker production.

Robinson’s fretwork stood out better on that opus.

But To Weep For Unconquered Worlds is nevertheless a potent demonstration of Human Cull’s innovative grindcraft… and the band’s shock tactics have ensured they’ve triumphed once again.

The culling continues…

Enjoyed this review? Then check out Rushonrock’s top 10 grindcore albums of 2021 here.