Metal · US · Active since 2003

Cleric

Abrasive, shape-shifting metal that collapses mathcore precision into avant-garde horror. For those who want their music to feel like a structural collapse.

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Intro

Listening to Cleric is like watching a skyscraper being dismantled by a precision demolition team that has lost its mind. It is music of immense physical weight and terrifying technicality, where the boundaries between grindcore, doom, and free jazz are blurred into a singular, suffocating mass. The sound is characterized by jagged, microtonal guitar work and drumming that feels both mechanical and dangerously erratic.

What truly sets them apart is their willingness to let the brutality breathe. Between the bursts of high-velocity noise, they weave in eerie, cinematic synth textures and moments of haunting, dark-ambient stillness. This isn't just a test of endurance; it is a meticulously composed nightmare that uses the entire frequency spectrum to create a sense of cosmic dread and architectural instability.

Start with 'Retrocausal' for a masterclass in modern extreme metal composition. It showcases their ability to balance sheer sonic violence with the kind of complex, multi-layered arrangements usually reserved for contemporary classical music. It is a demanding listen that rewards those who seek music that refuses to sit still or play by the rules.

Cleric is an American band based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Formed in 2003, their initial lineup consisted of guitarist Matt Hollenberg, drummer Larry Kwartowitz, vocalist Nick Shellenberger and bassist Chris Weindel. After their first EP, Chris Weindel was replaced by James Lynch, who was succeeded by bassist Daniel Ephraim Kennedy in 2012. Informed by metal pioneers such as Meshuggah, Converge, Fantômas, and Neurosis, the band is known for their experimental approach to grindcore, doom and avant-garde metal. Cleric has released four studio albums: Regressions (2010), Retrocausal (2017), Chokhma (2018) and John Zorn's Bagatelles volume 12 (2022).
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Our Catalog3 Albums · 2010 · 2019
Known ForWeighted across the artist's discography. Tap a trait for examples.
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