German extreme metal outfit Mental Cruelty will release their new album Echoes Of A Forlorn Land on October 23, 2026 via Century Media Records.
Billed as their most ambitious record to date, it pushes well past the boundaries of modern deathcore. The band now blends blackened death metal with elements of black metal, folk and power metal, aiming for an immersive, cinematic listening experience unlike anything in their catalogue.
The album draws on Northern mythology and ancient folklore, deliberately steering away from familiar clichés to explore the darker, more mystical side of forgotten legends. Authentic traditional instruments from across Europe and Asia add depth and atmosphere, woven through crushing riffs, relentless blast beats, haunting orchestrations, soaring melodies and ferocious vocals.
The record was produced, mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren, whose credits include Dimmu Borgir, Behemoth, Kreator, Amon Amarth and Opeth.
After Zwielicht
The album follows the breakthrough success of Zwielicht, which established Mental Cruelty as one of the leading forces in modern extreme metal, with a rapidly growing audience across Europe and North America.
The band heads out on a European run this November and December with Ov Sulfur and Extermination Dismemberment as co-direct support. See the dates in our Ov Sulfur coverage.
Mental Cruelty
- Lukas Nico – vocals
- Marvin Kessler – guitar
- Nahuel Lozano – guitar
- Jonathan Koltun – drums
