Kruelty bridges the gap between hard techno and industrial hardstyle, solidifying his reputation as the death seeker on his debut album, BLOODBATH MACHINERY.
Anonymous producer Kruelty has carved a lane for himself in the music industry by introducing an enigmatic style that combines hard dance, hard techno, and industrial hardcore. Over the years, he’s perfected his sound by using these genres to create horrific experiences tailored to the most extreme fans of hard music.
Throughout 2024, Kruelty has been slowly opening the gates of Hard Dance Hell, unleashing records that capture the harder styles in their purest form — vigorous, aggressive, distorted, and bone-chilling. He began 2024 with the highly anticipated collaboration with DEATH CODE, “DISGUSTING.” Later, Kruelty announced that he was working on his first album, which will serve as the project that fully represents his artistic vision. Today, BLOODBATH MACHINERY has arrived at long last.
The 13-track album explores the horror genre, using eerie vocal samples, monstrous screeches, and ghostly melodies to create a universe in which Kruelty is the reaper of destruction who drags unwilling souls into the depths of Hard Dance Hell. BLOODBATH MACHINERY solidifies him as the most captivating act in hard dance today and emphasizes the importance of delivering a complete product beyond technical production skills.
Crank up the volume and embark on a murderous journey full of violence, blood, and chaos by streaming BLOODBATH MACHINERY on Spotify or your preferred platform.
Stream Kruelty – BLOODBATH MACHINERY on Spotify:
BLOODBATH MACHINERY begins with “DE4TH SEEK3R_666,” a record that doesn’t include a single kick drum, screech, or melody. Instead, this record introduces fans to the world of Kruelty, one where he reigns supreme as the ultimate death seeker. Rattling chains, faint buzzing noises, and lonely screams create a haunting atmosphere until an aggressive vocal repeatedly screams, “I am the death seeker… Kruelty!”
After “DE4TH SEEK3R_666” sets the tone for the rest of the album, “BALACLAVA” follows up, promising listeners that they will die. This record highlights Kruelty’s hard techno influence with the spirit of industrial hardstyle. “REVELATION_13” comes next, and fans will surely remember this record from the critically acclaimed THIS IS KRUELTY performances in 2023.
“EXODUS 20_14” marks the first collaboration between Kruelty and Spoontech Records mainstay Mortis. The latter is another artist known to explore the realm of darkness, equipped with lethal kick drums that cause mayhem wherever he goes. It was only a matter of time until the Death Seeker and Mortis teamed up, and “EXODUS 20_14” seamlessly combined the best of both artists to create pure violence.
“CHOOSE VIOLENCE AND WIN” highlights the unique Kruelty kickdrums that fans have come to know and love over the past few years. A spooky melody dominates throughout while an assertive voice claims victory or death is the only option. For the first time in the album, listeners are made aware that they are part of the bloodbath machinery, and they won’t be the last to feed the machine of violence.
After being initiated into the BLOODBATH MACHINERY, Kruelty takes a step away from the hard kicks to deliver a message to his disciples on “THE KULT [INTERLUDE].”
Here, Kruelty reveals that the bloodbath machinery is a vehicle to spread chaos, tread among the faint-hearted, and strike fear into the bravest of all mankind. He continues with the title track, “BLOODBATH MACHINERY,” a Qoiet collaboration. Qoiet is known for his work in bass music, fusing heavy beats with rap and metal influences, which initially made me surprised when this record was announced. Kruelty and Qoiet ultimately join forces to deliver The Kult’s anthem featuring heavy metal guitar riffs, overdriven vocals, and maximum distortion.
Kurelty and The Smiler‘s previously released collaboration, “SCREAMER,” includes a distressed voice, calling to kill the screamer, which listeners can only imagine is another abomination in the Kult of Kruelty. Solace is never found for the poor soul, however. The next three records were also previously released in the build-up to BLOODBATH MACHINERY. They nonetheless all serve a purpose in the storyline, as “WAR IS INEVITABLE” begins the great battle between the Kult of Kruelty and humanity.
“DAMNATION” with Exproz represents the fall of mankind as they ultimately lose against the bloodbath machinery and are sentenced to an eternity of torture. Luminite joins the bloodbath machinery for his remix of “HUMAN SUBJECT EXPERIENCE,” furthering his presence as a dark force in the hard dance scene.
Kruelty raises the tempo for the final songs, beginning with “STUGNA-Z.”
This track deviates from the album’s storyline-driven themes to showcase Kruelty’s technical ability as he explores faster speeds and louder kicks without sacrificing production quality. He further demonstrates his mastery of his craft by delivering a half-time portion in the record that feels perfectly in place despite giving the illusion of a slower pace.
“MEATGRINDER” closes out BLOODBATH MACHINERY. This chaotically beautiful record thrives on gory action reminiscent of thrasher films from the ’90s. As the mayhem ends, listeners are left alone in the presence of an emergency alarm, signaling that the bloodbath machinery’s destruction will continue despite the album being over.
BLOODBATH MACHINERY, at its core, is ultimately a concept album that stays in the realm of hard dance. Each record dives headfirst into the essence of horror films, provoking unnerving and disturbing emotions. Distorted screeches, aggressive kick drums, and unsettling vocals send listeners into an immersive experience, trapping them in a voyage of despair. Even after the end credits roll, Kruelty’s haunting presence remains scarred on your heart and burnt in your mind.
Kruelty’s debut album is a key example of what hard dance should be. Beyond technical precision, he offers a complete product. A compelling storyline, bone-chilling stage presence, and banging records make Kruelty a larger-than-life character.
At times, I fully believe that Kruelty is an otherworldly, evil entity. However, that’s exactly what the scene needs: artists that fans can believe in. After completing this challenging journey, I can’t help but recognize BLOODBATH MACHINERY as my favorite hard dance album of the year.
Kruelty – BLOODBATH MACHINERY – Tracklist:
- DE4TH SEEK3R_666
- BALACLAVA
- REVELATION_13
- EXODUS 20_14 with Mortis
- CHOOSE VIOLENCE AND WIN
- THE KULT [INTERLUDE]
- BLOODBATH MACHINERY feat. Qoiet
- SCREAMER with The Smiler
- WAR IS INEVITABLE
- DAMNATION with Exproz
- HUMAN SUBJECT EXPERIMENT (Luminite Remix)
- STUGNA-Z
- MEATGRINDER
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