Cruel Force – Haneda (Heavy Death Metal)

 

I don’t think I’ve seen a band with growth as impressive as Cruel Force. If you look at their earlier work, it leaned more towards the “evil”/Satanic edge, favoring an ominous presence with lo-fi leather, transitioned into a less aggressive form with its spikes rounded to studs, and now with this, their latest, a combination of earlier style with their new evolution into what could be best called heavy death metal (my words, not theirs). And man, do these guys know how to set the fucking stage. Once the monumental intro slays the weak with pure, melodic might, and Haneda properly begins, the listener soon discovers a new saga has been born, an epic of classical proportions to inspire generations to come!

   

Firstly, one cannot ignore how easily Cruel Force combines heavy metal grandeur with the energy of speech and thrash into something aesthetically similar, yet thematically much different. It’s quite easy to combine, but rarely does it happen without a bleeding of styles together that goes from colorful to just brown (as in the color, and shit). There’s an interesting religious angle here that never truly specifies what they’re opposed to or aligned with, with references to crusades, crystal skulls, and ancient beasts. Plus, the production for Haneda is leagues better than the band’s previous work, with an old-school room echo that never ruins the acoustic quality of the music itself. Cruel Force can intimidate, while simultaneously demanding worship from the listener, which is a mere bagatelle to they who possess a complete understanding of what makes metal, as a whole, truly work. It all comes down to superior riffs, memorable solos, thematic vibrancy, and an absolutely authentic passion for the work they create.

 

Cruel Force Official Instagram

Written by Stanley, Devourer of Souls

Cruel Force – Haneda
Shadow Kingdom Records
Cover Art: Maegan LeMay
4.8 / 5