Category: Culled
0 Absolute Underground Magazine New Issue is out! Issue 118! Wacken Metal Battle Canada – Beguiler, Thirteen Goats Exitus Stratagem Records, Culled.ca Horror Pain Gore Death Productions, Art of Attrition, Valfreya
0 Horror Pain Gore Death Productions – Edmonton’s CULLED Hit Back With Politically Charged Grind Video “Halo of Flies” Off New EP “Psycles” Out July 2024
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – June 11, 2024
Canada’s CULLED Hit Back With Politically Charged Grind Video “Halo of Flies”
New EP “Psycles” Out July 2024 via Horror Pain Gore Death Productions
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L-R – Curtis Blair – Drums, Chris Chapman – Bass, Shane Hawco – Vocals, Ben Harbak – Guitar
Photo Credit by Dana Zuk
Culled, the politically-charged, sludge-encrusted grind band hailing from Edmonton, Canada, is proud to announce the release of their newest single “Halo of Flies”, which is the first look at their upcoming EP “Psycles” coming out on July 26th on Horror Pain Gore Death Productions. The record has been long-awaited since the release of their debut, 2018’s “Thin the Herd, Fail to Learn”. The band comments on the single:
“We wanted to bring a direct intensity and ferocity for our lead single to show just how different this release will be from our debut. Directly addressing the harms and trauma caused by the patriarchy and our collective roles in it. It goes beyond the history of harm, and oppression of 50% of our society but also addresses the manipulation to propagate the myth that a majority of our society needs to be subservient to our masters who have been gifted privilege by simply being born in the right color, shape and righteous area of the world.”
The lead track is another quick and intense battering. It showcases how formidable Culled is, in their present state with a lineup change including Chris Chapman on bass and Curtis Blair on drums. With a blend of slow crushing sludge and blistering speed and chaos of grindcore “Halo of Flies” delivers a powerful message urging empathy over apathy in today’s unpredictable political and ethical climate. It is recommended for fans of Napalm Death, Nasum, and Pig Destroyer.
Watch and listen to the music video for “Halo of Flies” via Slamworld Wide – https://youtu.be/vx8ku0sjvHc
Spotify – https://spoti.fi/3Vmr1PJ
Due out on July 26th from Horror Pain Gore Death Productions, “Psycles” is available for album pre-order (CD / Digital/ Bundles) at https://www.horrorpaingoredeath.com and (Cassettes/ Vinyl/ Digital) https://www.culled.ca.
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Track Listing:
1. Trauma of History (7:22)
2. Psycles (1:45)
3. Coercion (3:14)
4. Halo of Flies (1:54)
5. Excision (Lost Cause) (6:40)
EP Length: 20:57
EP Band Line Up:
Ben Harbak – Guitar
Chris Chapman – Bass
Curtis Blair – Drums
Shane Hawco – Vocals
More info: Culled.ca | Facebook | Instagram.com/culled.ca
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“Political tensions in the world are running high, and Culled want you to know that they’re not down with it. Combining their searing take on the state of the world with a sludgy grind assault, Culled back their statements with tight songwriting and aggressive performance. On their debut album Thin the Herd, Fail to Learn, Culled wrap angular grindcore in thick sludge, spitting out blasts, mosh parts and distinctive vocals that reflect the band’s disgusted mindset.” – Decibel Magazine
“Sludge grind is one of those things that shouldn’t really exist and yet somehow Culled make it work. They sound absolutely colossal on their new track “Contagion,” a nearly nine minute epic that manages to combine everything that makes the band great. The stop/start madness and dynamic interplay of this song speaks to the band’s talent as songwriters. Meanwhile, the guitar tone alone speaks volumes to what this band has come to represent. With punk fringes on some truly punishing tracks, it’s hard not to be fascinated by the morbid horror of the band. The lead single, ‘Contagion,’ is a mesmerizing ode. It comes from their upcoming LP, Thin The Herd, Fail To Learn, due out October 26th on Hibernation Release. It’s hard to balance two genres that seem so diametrically opposed whilst simultaneously sneaking in moments of pure explorations into the sublime. Experimental, genre bending and clearly forward thinking, ‘Contagion’ is a triumph for a rising force.” – Metal Injection
“Edmonton, AB grind outfit Culled push the boundaries of the genre on their debut full-length, Thin the Herd, Fail to Learn. The quartet incorporate slow, sludgy grooves and doom-laden riffs into their discordant grindcore, resulting in a contrast of sounds that is jarring yet complementary… Thin the Herd, Fail to Learn is an impressive debut that showcases a battle of conflicting sounds throughout its 25-minute runtime. What makes it work is Culled’s thoughtful approach to song composition and structure, along with socio-political lyrical content to match the angst-filled emotions that their music emanates.” – Exclaim!
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0 EPK – Culled – Psycles (2024) (Horror Pain Gore Death Productions)
EPK – Culled – Psycles (2024) (Horror Pain Gore Death Productions)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Band: Culled
EP Title: Psycles
Release Date: July 26, 2024
Label: Self Release – CD release by Horror Pain Gore Death Productions
“We are very proud of this release and have poured our collective energies into it. “Psycles” is a departure from our debut release “The the Herd, Fail to Learn” and feels like a natural evolution of our music with increased intensity and complexity all while retaining our core philosophy and thematic approach. We have never felt more like a collective unit than we do right now and that’s largely due to the huge efforts and enthusiasm from our new members Chris and Curtis. We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed creating it and find motivation and hope within the realities of dark themes presented. Through empathy and understanding we can overcome our collective trauma and oppression.” – Culled
For fans of Napalm Death, Nasum, Pig Destroyer, Neurosis, Suffocation
Shop.horrorpaingoredeath.com | Culled.ca | Facebook | Instagram.com/culled.ca
“Political tensions in the world are running high, and Culled want you to know that they’re not down with it. Combining their searing take on the state of the world with a sludgy grind assault, Culled back their statements with tight songwriting and aggressive performance. On their debut album Thin the Herd, Fail to Learn, Culled wrap angular grindcore in thick sludge, spitting out blasts, mosh parts and distinctive vocals that reflect the band’s disgusted mindset.” – Decibel Magazine
“Sludge grind is one of those things that shouldn’t really exist and yet somehow Culled make it work. They sound absolutely colossal on their new track “Contagion,” a nearly nine minute epic that manages to combine everything that makes the band great. The stop/start madness and dynamic interplay of this song speaks to the band’s talent as songwriters. Meanwhile, the guitar tone alone speaks volumes to what this band has come to represent. With punk fringes on some truly punishing tracks, it’s hard not to be fascinated by the morbid horror of the band. The lead single, ‘Contagion,’ is a mesmerizing ode. It comes from their upcoming LP, Thin The Herd, Fail To Learn, due out October 26th on Hibernation Release. It’s hard to balance two genres that seem so diametrically opposed whilst simultaneously sneaking in moments of pure explorations into the sublime. Experimental, genre bending and clearly forward thinking, ‘Contagion’ is a triumph for a rising force.” – Metal Injection
“Alberta-based grinders Culled embrace all things grimy on their debut full-length, Thin the Herd, Fail to Learn. Much like fellow Canadian forward-thinkers WAKE and Fuck the Facts, Culled embrace grindcore’s lineage while pushing beyond the genre’s typical tropes. The quartet infuse their interpretation of grindcore with jarring discordance and elements of caustic sludge; a sound that is then fully fleshed out by intricate songwriting that demands more showtime than the genre typically lends its songs. Couple these unyielding stretches of chaotic instrumentation with relevant sociopolitical lyrical themes and listeners have quite the physical and cerebral beating in store for them… …Culled‘s Thin the Herd, Fail to Learn is an extremely solid debut recording that points to greater things in the future for these gentlemen.” – Svbterranean
“Edmonton, AB grind outfit Culled push the boundaries of the genre on their debut full-length, Thin the Herd, Fail to Learn. The quartet incorporate slow, sludgy grooves and doom-laden riffs into their discordant grindcore, resulting in a contrast of sounds that is jarring yet complementary… Thin the Herd, Fail to Learn is an impressive debut that showcases a battle of conflicting sounds throughout its 25-minute runtime. What makes it work is Culled’s thoughtful approach to song composition and structure, along with socio-political lyrical content to match the angst-filled emotions that their music emanates.” – Exclaim!
[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]
Band: Culled
EP Title: Psycles
Release Date: July 26, 2024
Label: Self Release – CD release by Horror Pain Gore Death Productions
Track Listing:
1. Trauma of History (7:22)
2. Psycles (1:45)
3. Coercion (3:14)
4. Halo of Flies (1:54)
5. Excision (Lost Cause) (6:40)
EP Length: 20:57
EP Recording Credits:
Recorded Oct – Dec 2023 in Edmonton Alberta Canada at Lawless Recordings by Rob Lawless
Additional Engineering by Kyle Cusiac
Mixed by Jesse Gander at Rain City Recorders
Mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege
Mastering All Songs
Written by Culled
All Lyrics by Shane Hawco
Art & Layout by Shane Hawco
Photos by Kylee Thompson Kylee Thompson
Photography Quotes on “The Trauma of History” & “Excision (Lost Cause)” from Gabor Mate
© 2024 Copyright Culled
• Canadian Content (MAPL)
EP Band Line Up:
Ben Harbak – Guitar
Chris Chapman – Bass
Curtis Blair – Drums
Shane Hawco – Vocals
About The EP Artwork
The cover art comprises a collection of all the musical themes of the songs on the EP. But it is heavily focused on the oppressive nature of authoritarianism and how we are blinded by the cycles that we are doomed to repeat, after all it is the main addition of our society.
The EP as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
Like the cover art the album deals with oppression and cycles of addition, be it drugs, power or religion. Similar to how our debut release “Thin the Herd, Fail to Learn” leaned heavily on the intellectual teachings of Noam Chomsky “Psycles” leans on the compassionate thoughts of fellow Canadian Gabor Mate where empathy is a mainstay in surviving our current traumatic political climate.
Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)
1. The Trauma of History
– We wanted the intro of this song to tie into the end of our previous release “Thin the Herd, Fail to Learn” and kick of the theme of this EP of overcoming adversity and oppression by not ignoring our past, but understanding how the trauma of the past has shaped our current landscape, to learn from it. Only then can we break the endless cycle of repetition and revenge and grow through empathy and compassion.
Musically it’s the longest track on the album which embraces the band’s philosophy of combining elements of chaotic grind with doom-laden sludge in which we feel the contrast between the elements amplifies the intensity and urgency when combined and solidifies the lyrical theme.
2. Psycles
– This song directly addresses pharmaceutical profiteering harvested from the pain and torment of our traumatic past. Leaving society weakened, and so addicted that they cannot recognize how they are being manipulated let alone organize to stand up against the tyranny being thrust upon them. Musically focused to be quick and intense mirroring the anxiety one feels to silence the voices of trauma that arise without that next fix.
3. Coercion
– Corruption is the core of authoritarianism and is an essential need of our society, and our one true religion. Musically we wanted a mid-paced groove in the middle of the EP to give a touch of rest from the chaos and a repeating theme that can bring the message home.
4. Halo of Flies
– Our lead track and another quick and intense battering. Directly addressing the harms and trauma caused by the patriarchy and our collective roles in it. It goes beyond the history of harm, and oppression of 50% of our society but also addresses the manipulation to propagate the myth that a majority of our society needs to be subservient to our masters who have been gifted privilege by simply being born in the right color, shape and righteous area of the world.
5. Excision (Lost Cause)
– The closing track to the EP brings back the main musical direction of the band with contrasts of chaotic speed with slow sludging beats. Thematically we wanted to bring home the need for empathy to help end the division rampant in our culture. Only by understanding that oppositional views have been driven into us and passed down by generations of trauma and manipulation can we begin to collectively heal. No healing can come just from the amputation of our problems, in fact, this can cause even more harm and propagate the cycles of repetition. Elements of our society are not just a lost cause because they embrace the fear pounded into them or once opposed and oppressed others, but they can be turned around through empathy bringing out their humanity. We really wanted to bring this message home via slow doom-laden repetition, to amplify the message and hopefully effect change in the listener and motivate them to act.
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FUN FACTS – STORY ANGLES
1. Ben and Shane played with Chris in the reunion of Disciples of Power without Hart in 2012. Even though Chris and Shane both played in DOP with Hart in the 80’s and 90’s it wasn’t until the reunion did they meet for the first time.
2. Ben, Chris and Curtis first started working together on Suicide Pact in 2022, after years of working with other musicians trying to revive the Culled line up it was the comradery felt during the initial Suicide Pact sessions that lead Ben to suggest they be a part of Culled, needless to say everything came together very quickly once they did. It was Suicide Pact’s Rob Lawless who recorded the EP
3. After years of being in the scene together only in 2023 did Curtis and Shane meet face to face. Upon Curtis’ introduction to Shane he immediately hopped on the kit and started to play segments from his very first band which was released 30 years previously back in 1993
4. “Psycles” themes was born from the learnings of Canadian physician Gabor Maté where he teaches the links between trauma and our societal behaviors.
5. The “Halo of Flies” video was shot in the historic Starlite Room in Edmonton Alberta. A legendary venue now owned and operated by long time friend of the band Tyson Cale Boyd. The choice of this venue was paramount for the band as it not only a icon of the Alberta music scene but also to honor the hard work and dedication Tyson and his staff have put into the local scene. https://www.starliteroom.ca/
6. Psycles has always been intended to be a shorter EP with the initial goal of around 20 minutes of material to showcase the new direction of the band and kick-off the creative energy and revitalization of the project. Coming in just under 21 minutes it will be presented on a 1 sided 12 LP with a special screened B side that will be a unique piece of physical media that the band is very proud of and will be self-releasing along with a limited cassette. CD’s will be released in collaboration with Horror, Pain, Gore, Death productions out of Philadelphia. https://shop.horrorpaingoredeath.com/
Left to Right – Curtis Blair – Drums, Chris Chapman – Bass, Shane Hawco – Vocals, Ben Harbak – Guitar – Photo Credit by Dana Zuk
Culled is a Sludge/Doom Encrusted Grind band from Alberta Canada with members residing in Calgary & Edmonton The band features members with a historical impact in the Western Canadian heavy music scene with former and current members of bands such as Thorazine, Disciples of Power, WAKE, Exit Strategy, Broken Nose, Fuquored, Mass Distraction, Begrime Exemious, The Noumenon, Section VIII, Acantha, and Bestir.
The band started in early 2017 with the intention of embracing the contrast of slow crushing sludge and doom riffs with the blistering speed and chaos of grindcore ripe with messages of peace, love and that implore the need for empathy in todays unpredictable and instable political climate.
The debut Mini LP “Thin the Herd, Fail to Learn” released October 26th 2018 on LP by Philadelphia independent label Hibernation Release as well as Cassette, CD and Digital by the band themselves. The five unrelenting tracks spanning 25+ minutes embrace the contrast of doom filled riffs with the blistering speed and chaos of grindcore.
Mathy, cacophonous and angular, Culled sound like the pangs of the industrial complex working overtime. Technical and percussive segments break into heavy, trudging hooks on a dime. The politically charged lyrics are heavily influenced by the writings of famed linguist Noam Chomsky and reflect on the oppressive atrocities of the day and is a mainstay for the group in order create awareness and drive home a call to action. The experience is absolutely uncompromising in force, emotion and energy.
2023 brings new members and a new energy to Culled with the addition of bassist Chris Chapman (Disciples of Power, Mass Distraction, & Suicide Pact) and Curtis Blair (Broken Nose, Fuquored, and Suicide Pact) behind the kit. The album “Psycles” was recorded from Oct – Dec 2023 with Rob Lawless at Lawless Recording, Mixed by Jesse Gander at Rain City Studios and Mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege Mastering and will have a physical and digital release in 2024.
2024 – Psycles
2018 – Thin the Herd, Fail to Learn
2024 – Psycles
Shared Stage with: Begrime Exemious, Brujeria, Conan, Dayglo Abortions, Gone Cosmic, Incite, Knoll, Kowloon Walled City, Mares of Thrace, Severed Arm, WAKE
Tours and Festivals:
Loud As Hell – 2018, 2019, 2024
Moments Fest – 2023
Sled Island – 2018, 2019
Yuletide 6 Calgary and Edmonton 2023