The Underling

The Underling is the 2003 debut EP from Philadelphia-based avant-garde metal outfit Cleric. The release is legendary within the band's cult following due to its troubled production history: recorded for a mere $200, the project was never officially finished because the hard drive containing the session files suffered a catastrophic failure. This left the band with only the unmixed rough tracks, which were eventually remastered and released a decade later. Sonically, it is far more raw and 'mathy' than their later, more symphonic works like Retrocausal. It leans heavily into the jagged rhythms of mathcore and the oppressive weight of sludge, lacking the John Zorn-influenced jazz-fusion elements that would later define their sound. The EP stands as a fascinating historical marker of the band's origins, showcasing a primal, unrefined aggression and a willingness to experiment with long-form song structures even in their infancy.