What makes Useless Animal by Cult Leader notable?

'Useless Animal' garnered significant attention in the underground metal community, praised for its raw sound and honest lyricism. The EP was well-received by critics, appearing in various year-end lists and solidifying Cult Leader's presence as a formidable force in modern metalcore. Released on January 1, 2015, 'Useless Animal' marked Cult Leader's debut EP, arriving shortly after the band's formation in 2013. The release introduced their signature blend of intense metalcore and atmospheric elements, setting the stage for their subsequent albums as they established themselves within the heavy music scene.

How many songs are on Useless Animal?

Useless Animal has 3 tracks, running approximately 9 minutes.

Useless Animal

Cult Leader · 2015

9 min · 3 tracks · metalcore

Raw, relentless metalcore energy collides with visceral vulnerability and chaotic instrumentation throughout this explosive debut EP.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Useless Animal — The title track encapsulates the EP's emotional weight with its frantic pace and haunting lyrics that explore themes of despair and identity.
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Gutter Gods — This track stands out for its aggressive instrumentation and biting social commentary, showcasing the band's ability to blend heaviness with thought-provoking content.
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You Are Not My Blood — At nearly seven minutes long, this track demonstrates Cult Leader's dynamic range, transitioning from crushing heaviness to moments of reflective calm, exemplifying their artistic depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases raw energy and dynamic contrasts, establishing a strong identity in the metalcore scene.

What we noticed

The EP opens with a high-energy track that features aggressive guitar riffs and intense drumming, maintaining a relentless pace throughout.
Vocals shift between harsh screams and melodic passages, creating a dynamic contrast within each song.
Each track is structured around a core of chaotic instrumentation, often incorporating dissonant chords and abrupt tempo changes.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Useless Animal 1:14
2 Gutter Gods 1:32
3 You Are Not My Blood 6:49

What to play next

Listen next

A Patient Man

2018

Go back to

Lightless Walk

2015

Full Cult Leader discography Artists like Cult Leader

metalcore

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata