Skull Cultist – Hardcore Rituals (Digital Album – Skull Cultist)
Skull Cultist is an American solo project helmed by Steve Saunders. Following a series of EPs since 2022, Skull Cultist has now unveiled a debut full-length album, featuring 11 tracks. The first half of the album is particularly striking, brimming with Dark-Electro textures and hard-hitting Industrial elements. The sound feels ritualistic, raw, and grandiose, qualities likely to resonate with fans of acts like iVardensphere and This Morn’Omina. Saunders’ vocals are hauntingly subdued, complementing the ritualistic vibe perfectly. Notably, two female vocalists make guest appearances on individual tracks, with Gaby Gustafson (of Ava X) adding a familiar touch. However, the second half of the album feels somewhat less inspired, with tracks that seem unfinished in places. I prefer keeping in mind the truly exceptional heights from the first half. Nonetheless, Skull Cultist remains a project with real potential, and I thoroughly enjoyed this album overall. (Rating: 7½)
Listen to “Mover feat. Eva X”:
About Skull Cultist
Skull Cultist is the solo project of American musician Steve Saunders. The project self-releases its music on Bandcamp and mixes dark electro and industrial elements with ritual atmospheres.
Skull Cultist first issued the four-track EP “Blood Carvings” on 7 October 2022, followed by the five-track “So Happy” on 19 February 2023 and the nine-track “Hopegrinder” on 26 December 2023.
The debut full-length “Hardcore Rituals” followed on 17 May 2024 with 11 tracks, including “Mover”, a collaboration with Eva X. It is the release reviewed here.
Support Side-Line
More people read Side-Line than ever, and there is still no paywall and no advertising. Readers pay for it instead - from $5 a month.
Why we ask
Advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations we have not put up a paywall, and we refuse to add annoying advertising, so we need to ask for your help. Side-Line’s independent journalism takes time, money and hard work to produce, and we do it to push the artists we like, who are equally fighting to survive.
Handled by PayPal.
I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
