Justifiably so, we reckon, AI has become the new boogeyman of the metal scene (and perhaps the world at large) and UK death crushers Mutagenic Host have a few thoughts on the matter. Their latest single, “Artificial Harvest of the Obscene,” attacks the theme with an opening salvo of glacially paced DM before thrashing forward into a complicated, progressive mix of extreme textures and sounds, narrated by acid-chug vocals. These dudes—Ash Moore (vocals), Jack Thompson (guitar), Sami Tuohino (guitar), Dan Bulford (guitar/bass), George Kinsella-Pearn (drums)—perfectly couple the bleak lyrical theme with equally bleak death metal.
The Diseased Machine was produced by the band and recorded by Boulty at Stuck on a Name, and Charlie Wilson at Monolith Studios. It was mixed and mastered by Ben Jones. The full-length is set for release on vinyl and cassette via Gurgling Gore/Dry Cough on January 3, 2025. It will be issued on CD by Memento Mori on January 20. Place your preorder here (USA) or here (EU).
The band had this to say about its new single:
“This track marks a defining moment for us, encapsulating the dystopian vision at the core of our music—a furious condemnation of the technological apocalypse and the AI-driven decay of humanity. Whether it’s the domination of class through AI agents or the destruction of children with high-yield weaponry, The Diseased Machine pulls no punches.
“’Artificial Harvest of the Obscene’ delves into the heart of these themes: the diseased systems we’ve built to dominate and control, and the chilling reality of our complicity in them. It’s not just about technology spiraling out of control—it’s about humanity’s active role in its systematic destruction.”