#cultist — Public Fediverse posts

Although Calgary isn’t exactly a hotbed for death metal, the city hosts a healthy mix of metal acts. Hazzerd, Mares of Thrace, and Riot City call the Canadian city home, as does death metal troupe Cultist. Formed in 2015, the band recorded debut full-length Manic Despair in 2020. It took over a year to release the album, which finally hit shelves in early 2022. Four later, the Cowtown collective returns with follow-up Spiritual Atrophy, primed with half-an-hour of vintage death metal vitriol to proselytize you into brain-bludgeoned bondage. Does Cultist slip you some spiritual healing, or will Spiritual Atrophy have you asking for the Kool-Aid?

Fans of Manic Despair will quickly recognize that Spiritual Atrophy marks a new chapter in Cultist’s sound. Bassist/vocalist Vanessa Grossberndt and drummer Jim Petigo have been consistent fixtures in the band’s lineup over the last six years, but there’s been a revolving door for guitarists since Brodie Wylie left the band in 2021.1 Whether by design or just a byproduct of altered chemistry, Spiritual Atrophy forsakes the arcane mystique of Manic Despair and instead adopts a more straightforward attack, focusing on riffs and repetition over mood and tension. Where Cultist’s debut leans toward Incantation or Autopsy, Spiritual Atrophy more closely echoes the likes of Morbid Angel and Immolation. Even the album art recalls Unholy Cult with Harnessing Ruin’s color palette. Despite using a similar bag of tricks as legendary DM stalwarts, though, Cultist’s latest feels more like a retread of what you’ve heard before rather than constructing a fresh take upon proven elements.

Spiritual Atrophy by CULTIST

Where the rhythm section shaped Cultist’s identity on Manic Despair, Spiritual Atrophy sacrifices drum ‘n’ bass thunder for the almighty riff. New guitarist Betzi Poitras hews leaden earworms with razor-sharp riffing, and in isolation poses a promising new direction. Comprehensively, though, her barbed cuts bleed out the magic that defined Manic Despair. This alone isn’t damning, as the urge to reinvent and evolve is as natural as Steel’s back hair. Unfortunately, the replacement magic manifests as a finely-crafted routine we’ve seen countless times before, and fails to maintain intrigue as Cultist’s hand dips into the careworn, upturned top hat time and again. Grossberndt‘s bass still rumbles and bounces with occasional spotlights (“Phenomena”), and her gutturals get augmented with contributions from Poitras and Petigo, broadening the vocal diversity. Although I prefer Grossberndt‘s deeper, most unhinged growls,2 I appreciate the expanded range. Meanwhile, Petigo’s drumming maintains the blast-beaten fury from the debut, but his progressive flourishes have dwindled, and the overall drum presence is too far back in the mix. It’s a shame, because Petigo’s contributions were previously a cornerstone of Cultist’s atmosphere, and Spiritual Atrophy suffers from his diminished role.

Listening to Spiritual Atrophy can be a frustrating experience, not just because of the step backwards in originality, but the missteps outweigh what Cultist does so well. In a vacuum, individual moments on Spiritual Atrophy burn with a corrosive glow. The central riff from “Reality Shaper” could be a lost cut from Domination or Close to a World Below, but over four-and-a-half minutes, the pointed, serpentine lick is filed to a nub through repetition. This over-dependence on the same or similar riffs (“Neophyte,” “Spiritual Atrophy”) kills momentum throughout, making active listens feel much longer than thirty minutes. Spiritual Atrophy’s two instrumentals also undercut the listening experience, with intro piece “Divination Whispers” building to a moment that never arrives. Interlude “Perversion of Survival” does the same, alluring with its promising, sci-fi oriented forty seconds, only to be jettisoned for a tune that’s entirely agnostic to the lead-in. The instrumentals are solid on their own, and don’t necessarily belong on the cutting room floor—I only wish they’d been integrated with more consideration.

Though I’m left disappointed with Cultist’s latest offering, promise lurks around Spiritual Atropy’s corners. Frantic, off-kilter riffs, tortured vocals, and bursts of scathing venom supply the building blocks for nasty death metal magic. If Cultist can refine their songwriting and add more depth to their soundscape, their next LP could convert the masses.

Rating: Disappointing
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 319 kbps mp3
Label: Awakening Records/Futhark Records
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: March 20th, 2026

Dance for the gods

#illustration #osr #comics #worldbuilding #mastoart #art #artwork #comic #rpg #ttrpg #bestiary #cultist #horror #characterdesign #creaturedesign #monster #drawing #draw #artist #fantasy #cthulhu #fantasyart

Nature #cultist during celebration... based on my own photo from Slavic Solstice holiday, but I didn't imagine this #character is me. Yes, on original picture I was holding drinking horn so big, this part is not "artistic vision" :blobcatgiggle:

#drawing #art #MastoArt #CreativeToots #krita #ArtWithOpenSource #druid #shaman #folklore

The Baptizer

Only the void answers prayer.

#darkart #cosmichorror #cult #cultist #necromancy #blackmetal #horrorart #artoftheday #art #artist #artwork #artistsoninstagram #artoninstagram #artgallery #instaart #digitalart #digitalartist #digitalartcommunity #digitalartgallery #risingartist

Bästet

Not all gods return in light. Some crawl back through shadow.

#darkart #cosmichorror #cult #cultist #necromancy #blackmetal #horrorart #artoftheday #art #artist #artwork #artistsoninstagram #artoninstagram #artgallery #instaart #digitalart #digitalartist #digitalartcommunity #digitalartgallery #risingartist

Bästet

Not all gods return in light. Some crawl back through shadow.

#darkart #cosmichorror #cult #cultist #necromancy #blackmetal #horrorart #artoftheday #art #artist #artwork #artistsoninstagram #artoninstagram #artgallery #instaart #digitalart #digitalartist #digitalartcommunity #digitalartgallery #risingartist

Into the Void. What watches… when nothing remains?

#darkart #cosmichorror #cult #cultist #necromancy #blackmetal #horrorart #artoftheday #art #artist #artwork #artistsoninstagram #artoninstagram #artgallery #instaart #digitalart #digitalartist #digitalartcommunity #digitalartgallery #risingartist

Into the Void. What watches… when nothing remains?

#darkart #cosmichorror #cult #cultist #necromancy #blackmetal #horrorart #artoftheday #art #artist #artwork #artistsoninstagram #artoninstagram #artgallery #instaart #digitalart #digitalartist #digitalartcommunity #digitalartgallery #risingartist

Into the Void. What watches… when nothing remains?

#darkart #cosmichorror #cult #cultist #necromancy #blackmetal #horrorart #artoftheday #art #artist #artwork #artistsoninstagram #artoninstagram #artgallery #instaart #digitalart #digitalartist #digitalartcommunity #digitalartgallery #risingartist

Into the Void. What watches… when nothing remains?

#darkart #cosmichorror #cult #cultist #necromancy #blackmetal #horrorart #artoftheday #art #artist #artwork #artistsoninstagram #artoninstagram #artgallery #instaart #digitalart #digitalartist #digitalartcommunity #digitalartgallery #risingartist

I bought some #cultist #miniatures (#ReaperMIniatures 03940) for my #Pathfinder1e game. They're three miniatures all wearing matching robes and carrying daggers. I might also paint a #skeleton mini in a matching robe.

What color should I paint their robes?

I'll probably use them as demon cultists of #Jezelda (female demon lord of werewolves) but they might worship other demons as the need for cultists arises.

#miniaturepainting #metalminiatures #poll #cultists #undead

The Sacred Weaved Oath of Brotherhood
- Rejoice brother, for now you are one of us, proudly bearing the Sacred Weaved Oath of Brotherhood!
- Wait... is this a friendship bracelet?
- Wha! NO! It's the sacred emblem of or Cult, the Sacred Weaved Oath of Brotherhood!
- It looks like a friendsh...
- 'tis not!
- Come on! There's even a little heart-shaped bead in it! It's a friendship bracelet!
- ...maybe?

 #art #a6 #pencil #cultist #friendshipbracelet #oath #silly #robes

Frère Jonas était bourreau, mais maintenant ? Il mijote un ragoût. "Ca sent drôlement bon" lui disent les autres. Pour la première fois, ils peuvent se poser tranquillement, sentir la douce chaleur de l'été et écouter les oiseaux gazouiller.
Ce soir, l'envie de conjurer les forces occultes semble... futile
Ce soir, les seuls sacrifiés sont... des champignons
Ce soir, les seuls qui chantent sont... les oiseaux

#a6 #cooking #cultist #forest #offduty #pencil #picnic #story #nomorecrypt

#Cultist In “#LetsGoBrandon” Hat Fights #PollWorkers

https://www.joemygod.com/2024/10/sc-cultist-in-lets-go-brandon-hat-assault-poll-worker/
https://www.wistv.com/2024/10/31/authorities-investigating-after-fight-breaks-out-orangeburg-county-early-voting-location/
https://twitter.com/kevinblue345/status/1851978110423519519
#MAGA #magats #magacunts #magacult

#Cultist In “#LetsGoBrandon” Hat Fights #PollWorkers

https://www.joemygod.com/2024/10/sc-cultist-in-lets-go-brandon-hat-assault-poll-worker/
https://www.wistv.com/2024/10/31/authorities-investigating-after-fight-breaks-out-orangeburg-county-early-voting-location/
https://twitter.com/kevinblue345/status/1851978110423519519
#MAGA #magats #magacunts #magacult

#Cultist In “#LetsGoBrandon” Hat Fights #PollWorkers

https://www.joemygod.com/2024/10/sc-cultist-in-lets-go-brandon-hat-assault-poll-worker/
https://www.wistv.com/2024/10/31/authorities-investigating-after-fight-breaks-out-orangeburg-county-early-voting-location/
https://twitter.com/kevinblue345/status/1851978110423519519
#MAGA #magats #magacunts #magacult

#Cultist In “#LetsGoBrandon” Hat Fights #PollWorkers

https://www.joemygod.com/2024/10/sc-cultist-in-lets-go-brandon-hat-assault-poll-worker/
https://www.wistv.com/2024/10/31/authorities-investigating-after-fight-breaks-out-orangeburg-county-early-voting-location/
https://twitter.com/kevinblue345/status/1851978110423519519
#MAGA #magats #magacunts #magacult

#Cultist In “#LetsGoBrandon” Hat Fights #PollWorkers

https://www.joemygod.com/2024/10/sc-cultist-in-lets-go-brandon-hat-assault-poll-worker/
https://www.wistv.com/2024/10/31/authorities-investigating-after-fight-breaks-out-orangeburg-county-early-voting-location/
https://twitter.com/kevinblue345/status/1851978110423519519
#MAGA #magats #magacunts #magacult

@debdiscourse

#truth

Not to mention (though not to flatter):

#Pugilist
#Nihilist
#Cultist
#Propagandist

and all around, Full of #TrumpVIrus BS-ist

Not that he actually understands his new friend, "concepts". But they sound nice, a lot of people say. Terrific people, the best.

Guess I should add

#Distortionist
#Extortionist
#Delusionist
#Illusionist
#Polemicist
#Hyperbolist

And that's just "ist"..
Talk about the "est"s!

Greatest, strongest, smartest, etc...

#Brainspurs #truth

@debdiscourse

#truth

Not to mention (though not to flatter):

#Pugilist
#Nihilist
#Cultist
#Propagandist

and all around, Full of #TrumpVIrus BS-ist

Not that he actually understands his new friend, "concepts". But they sound nice, a lot of people say. Terrific people, the best.

Guess I should add

#Distortionist
#Extortionist
#Delusionist
#Illusionist
#Polemicist
#Hyperbolist

And that's just "ist"..
Talk about the "est"s!

Greatest, strongest, smartest, etc...

#Brainspurs #truth

@debdiscourse

#truth

Not to mention (though not to flatter):

#Pugilist
#Nihilist
#Cultist
#Propagandist

and all around, Full of #TrumpVIrus BS-ist

Not that he actually understands his new friend, "concepts". But they sound nice, a lot of people say. Terrific people, the best.

Guess I should add

#Distortionist
#Extortionist
#Delusionist
#Illusionist
#Polemicist
#Hyperbolist

And that's just "ist"..
Talk about the "est"s!

Greatest, strongest, smartest, etc...

#Brainspurs #truth

@debdiscourse

#truth

Not to mention (though not to flatter):

#Pugilist
#Nihilist
#Cultist
#Propagandist

and all around, Full of #TrumpVIrus BS-ist

Not that he actually understands his new friend, "concepts". But they sound nice, a lot of people say. Terrific people, the best.

Guess I should add

#Distortionist
#Extortionist
#Delusionist
#Illusionist
#Polemicist
#Hyperbolist

And that's just "ist"..
Talk about the "est"s!

Greatest, strongest, smartest, etc...

#Brainspurs #truth

@debdiscourse

#truth

Not to mention (though not to flatter):

#Pugilist
#Nihilist
#Cultist
#Propagandist

and all around, Full of #TrumpVIrus BS-ist

Not that he actually understands his new friend, "concepts". But they sound nice, a lot of people say. Terrific people, the best.

Guess I should add

#Distortionist
#Extortionist
#Delusionist
#Illusionist
#Polemicist
#Hyperbolist

And that's just "ist"..
Talk about the "est"s!

Greatest, strongest, smartest, etc...

#Brainspurs #truth

Oh, hey, God's Gift is finally out!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/497950/GODS_GIFT/

It's an eldritch/cultist Lemmings-alike(!) puzzle game. I played the demo YEARS ago and it really stuck with me. I thought it was dead, but nope, the 3-dev team was just working quietly on it in private/on Discord. (P.S. It's got pixel gore so it may not be for everybody.)

#GodsGift #Gaming #Lemmings #Games #PixelArt #horror #cult #Cultist #GameDev #IndieGames

To the Tolling of the Bell – A Miskatonic Repository Review [Call of Cthulhu]

https://wp.me/p4dlMq-5Ix

#BoxcarNation #Review #ttrpg #CallofCthulhu #MiskatonicRepository #Shropshire #Cultist @Chaosium_Inc @dan_of_yhtill

http://rollingboxcars.com/2024/03/11/to-the-tolling-of-the-bell-a-miskatonic-repository-review-call-of-cthulhu/

New #GOP #pick for #speaker pushed to #overturn 2020 #election, #opposes #abortion and #gaymarriage, wants #prayer in #publicschools.

He may be a glasses-wearing #nerd and a former #universityprofessor, but he can #worship #Trump as well as any parking-lot #MAGA #cultist.

#Women #Transgender #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #Conservatives #Extremism #Fascism #RepublicanParty #Hate #Bigotry #Violence #Genocide #Discrimination #Misogyny #Homophobia #Transphobia #ThePartyOfHate

https://boingboing.net/2023/10/25/new-gop-pick-for-speaker-pushed-to-overturn-2020-election-opposes-abortion-and-gay-marriage-wants-prayer-in-public-schools.html

Sen. #MarshaBlackburn #complains that #President #JoeBiden is #catching too many #terrorists.

Blackburn, an #election-#denying #MAGA #cultist, #tweeted her #grievance yesterday.

#Women #Transgender #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #Conservatives #Extremism #Fascism #RepublicanParty #Hate #Bigotry #Violence #Genocide #Discrimination #Homophobia #Transphobia #ThePartyOfHate

https://boingboing.net/2023/10/16/sen-marsha-blackburn-complains-that-biden-is-catching-too-many-terrorists.html

if you come to me acting like #someone who is a #brainwashed & #occultist #cultist, #you deserve this:
:antifa_100: :af: