The London-based duo Cult Burial have been carving their path through the underground for over five years now, and with their third full-length they prove that their journey has only grown darker and more uncompromising. Released independently in early September on both CD and vinyl, the record embodies that pure underground spirit: raw, unfiltered, and without concessions.
With Robin Stone (of Ashen Horde fame, among others) handling drums, the performance feels razor-sharp yet organic. His playing injects both brute force and dynamic variety into the music. When the blastbeats give way to crushing, slower passages, the songs draw you further into Cult Burial’s suffocating atmosphere, as if the air itself thickens with each riff.
Musically, Cult Burial’s hybrid of Blackened Death/Doom Metal feels as convincing as ever. This isn’t just a genre exercise—it’s lived-in, visceral, and intense. The riffs slash and grind, sometimes circling hypnotically, while the slower, doom-laden sections press down with near-claustrophobic weight. Imagine the point where the dissonant chaos of Ulcerate collides with the cavernous heaviness of Esoteric and the scorched fury of early Behemoth.
The production plays a major role in amplifying this effect. Greg Dawson’s mix finds that elusive balance between clarity and raw intensity—every detail cuts through, but nothing feels polished to sterility. Meanwhile, Brad Boatright’s mastering adds the final punch, giving the record that chest-rattling impact that demands to be experienced loud.
Across eight tracks, Cult Burial deliver a relentless plunge into darkness and despair. The album doesn’t just impress technically; it also lands a heavy emotional blow. It’s the kind of record that leaves you drained when it ends, yet compels you to press play again immediately.
Verdict: With their third album, Cult Burial firmly cement themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the extreme metal underground. For fans of uncompromising, blackened heaviness that balances fury with suffocating atmosphere, this release is essential listening.
80/100
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