Zwielicht (album)
| Zwielicht | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 23, 2023 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 48:46 | |||
| Label | Century Media | |||
| Producer | Josh Schroeder | |||
| Mental Cruelty chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Zwielicht | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Boolin Tunes | 6/10[1] |
| Distorted Sound | 8/10[2] |
Zwielicht (German for twilight) is the fourth studio album by German deathcore band Mental Cruelty. It was released on June 23, 2023, through Century Media Records, it is the band's first album to be released through the label.[3] It is also the band's first album to feature vocalist Lukas Nicolai, who replaced Lucca Schmerler in 2023 after he got fired from the band in 2022 after several allegations of sexual misconduct were made against his name.[4][5]
A music video for the track "Midtvinter/Obsessis a Daemonio" was released on July 11, 2023.[6]
A deluxe edition of the album was released on December 13, 2024. It includes instrumental, orchestral, and piano versions of many of the tracks from the album.[7]
Musical style and lyrical themes
[edit]The band has stated that the track "Zwielicht" (which serves as an intro) is a poem written in German by guitarist Marvin Kessler and is about how depression can fully take over your life. The poem is written from a very personal perspective and proceeding through the hardest and darkest stages of life. The song is heavily inspired by classic Nordic folk songs and was recorded with ancient instruments. "Symphony Of A Dying Star" serves as the continuation of "Zwielicht" both musically and lyrically, in "Symphony Of A Dying Star", it accompanies a man through his journey through a winter landscape, all life around him seems to be trapped in hibernation and eternal ice while a surreal feeling of deafness creeps up on him. The winter itself serves as a metaphor for loneliness.[8]
The song "Forgotten Kings" is inspired by the story of the Lost Sinner from Dark Souls. It tells the story of a man that is shackled to a mountain summit. He stands for the feeling of being trapped and isolated.[9] The song "Nordlys" is about ancient sagas of the northern lights through the eyes of Vikings and Norwegian tribes. Their view interprets the lights in the sky in different ways, like how we should approach new situations positively, remembering fear often lies in our heads.[10]
"Obsessis a Daemonio" is inspired by medieval age manuscripts describing exorcisms. The story of the song is about a spiritual battle between a priest and a demon of his past.[11]
Overall, the album shows a diverse mix of deathcore, symphonic metal, death metal, black metal and folk elements.[12]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Lukas Nicolai, Nahuel Lozano and Marvin Kessler
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Midtvinter" | 1:43 |
| 2. | "Obsessis a Daemonio" | 5:07 |
| 3. | "Forgotten Kings" | 5:57 |
| 4. | "Pest" | 5:52 |
| 5. | "Nordlys" | 5:19 |
| 6. | "Mortal Shells" | 6:11 |
| 7. | "Zwielicht" | 1:33 |
| 8. | "Symphony of a Dying Star" | 4:11 |
| 9. | "The Arrogance of Agony" | 5:22 |
| 10. | "A Tale of Salt and Light" | 7:31 |
| Total length: | 48:46 | |
Personnel
[edit]Mental Cruelty
- Lukas Nicolai – vocals, songwriting
- Marvin Kessler – guitar, songwriting
- Nahuel Lozano – guitar, songwriting
- Viktor Dick – bass
- Danny Straßer – drums
Other personnel
- Josh Schroeder – production, mixing, mastering
- Mariusz Lewandowski – cover art
References
[edit]- ^ "ALBUM REVIEW: Mental Cruelty – Zwielicht". Boolin Tunes. June 21, 2023.
- ^ "ALBUM REVIEW: Zwielicht – Mental Cruelty". Distortedsoundmagazine. June 27, 2023.
- ^ "Mental Cruelty detail new Century Media release, share first single "Forgotten Kings"". Lmabgoat. April 15, 2023.
- ^ "Mental Cruelty part ways with vocalist Lucca Schmerler following allegations". Lambgoat. March 28, 2022.
- ^ "News: Mental Cruelty release video for new singles "Zwielicht" and "Symphony of a Dying Star". Also unveil new vocalist". Backseatmafia. March 1, 2023.
- ^ "Mental Cruelty releases a new majestic visual offering for the opening tracks Midtvinter and Obsessis a Daemonio". Metal Rules. July 11, 2023.
- ^ "Mental Cruelty announce new digital deluxe edition of their latest album "Zwielicht" to be released December 13!". Toxic Metal Zine. October 8, 2024.
- ^ "MENTAL CRUELTY Release New Single / Video "Forgotten Kings"". Bravewords. April 15, 2023.
- ^ "Mental Cruelty announce new album 'Zwielicht'". Distorted Sound. April 15, 2023.
- ^ "MENTAL CRUELTY Releases New Single / Video "Nordlys"". Bravewords. May 25, 2023.
- ^ "Mental Cruelty releases a new majestic visual offering for the opening tracks Midtvinter and Obsessis a Daemonio". Metal Rules. July 11, 2023.
- ^ "Mental Cruelty – Zwielicht". Metalepidemic. June 13, 2023.