Mental Cruelty Announce New Album 'Echoes of a Forlorn Land'

Deathcore act Mental Cruelty has announced that they will be releasing their new album Echoes of a Forlorn Land on October 23rd, 2026 via Century Media Records. You can click here to pre-order the album.

The band has also unveiled the album’s next single, “Raise The Raven Banner” and an accompanying music video. The album was mixed, mastered, and produced by Jens Bogren (Dimmu Borgir, Behemoth, Kreator, Amon Amarth, Opeth).

The band commented:

“‘Raise the Raven Banner’ feels like the perfect song to announce our new era, 'Echoes of a Forlorn Land.' The flag referenced in the title was once flown in battle as a symbol of Odin; the Raven Banner was believed to bring victory and the strength of the Norse Allfather and God of war. Now, we’re raising our own. With 'Echoes of a Forlorn Land,' we embrace a darker, heavier sound, blending black metal, folk metal, and melodic death metal with our deathcore foundation. It’s our declaration of evolution: a new chapter forged to stand tall in a scene filled with exceptional bands.

We’re confident, waving our flag and planting it wherever we go as we tell the tales of Norse mythology. You’ll find nods to it throughout one of our best merch drops yet, including a very special box set edition of the album that we’ve poured as much love into as the music itself."

“Since we’re writing about Odin, Loki, Thor and their kin, we figured we better get some Scandinavians on board. Enter our Swedish friend Jens Bogren, who mixed and mastered the album to great impact. The same goes for the video for 'Raise the Raven Banner.' We hold ourselves to the highest standards when it comes to visuals, making sure they match and elevate the music. We travelled to Estonia to work with our boys at Riivata Visuals from Finland, whose impressive portfolio also includes videos for our labelmates Orbit Culture, Humanity’s Last Breath, Allt, and Insomnium.

As part of the Century Media family alongside so many incredible bands, we’re equally grateful for the company we’ll be keeping on the road. Our album release tour and very first headline tour ever features further labelmates, Ov Sulfur on their inaugural European run, alongside Extermination Dismemberment, Acranius, and Sun Eater."

We’ll also be playing Music Forge Festival in just over a week, with more shows to be announced soon. Join our text list to stay up to date and be the first to hear about new tour dates and more!”

You can check out the full video for “Raise The Raven Banner”, along with the album artwork and track listing, at the link in the comments below.

Mental Cruelty
Echoes of a Forlorn Land
1. Weltennacht
2. Fenrir
3. Blood for Blood
4. The Serpent of Midgard
5. Helheim
6. Draugar
7. Raise The Raven Banner
8. Cry Of Batariel
9. Frost
10. Dämmerbruch
11. Ride of the Valykries