International Brutal Death Metal four-piece A PRETEXT TO HUMAN SUFFERING hails all across North America with members from Canada, Mexico, and the US. With the band releasing singles since 2020, their first full-length album "Endless Cycle of Suffering" was released this past May under Realityfade Records. Their early releases already put them in the spotlight, grabbing the attention of many labels with the anticipation of a high caliber full release. "Endless Cycle of Suffering" had been in the works for two years before the release and is now receiving positive reviews across platforms.

Aside from the very fun and brief "Indoctrinated" which is a five-second warped voice recording warning the listener of the psychological warfare that is to come, A PRETEXT TO HUMAN SUFFERING lays out a high-energy album with track after track riddled with heavy drops and growls. Intros are always a hit or miss and can be seen as superfluous at times, but this one is an ominous precursor. "Endless Cycle of Suffering" and "Architect of Reality" lay out the foundation of what you can expect as you keep listening. Chris Mathis's growls add to the melodies seamlessly before cutting into the first verse. However, the seventh track "Toxic Dreams" is less of an actual song, but it serves as an interlude splitting the album. Where an interlude usually signals a sound transition, this one is more obvious in the song titles. The first half alludes to the darkness of reality, and the second half takes to more obscure, less tangible topics like "Cult(ure)."

If you're a fan of fast tempos and brutal growls, A PRETEXT TO HUMAN SUFFERING should be on your list of bands to discover. "Endless Cycle of Suffering" aims to take the listener through an entire journey that the band lays out as very poetic tale through each track, detailing stories of forgotten dreams and obscured reality. The album has a dark atmospheric tone which is always appreciated where it is not always necessary to have a cohesive tracklist. I normally don't comment on album art, but this one just adds to the appeal. A PRETEXT TO HUMAN SUFFERING is already making the rounds, garnering positive reviews across the board. Each member has been very involved in the metal community with numerous projects before getting to where they are now. As they continue to grow their following on social media, metalheads can be sure to see them rise steadily as they progress.