Chicago Industrial Metal for psychos Charlatans and the age of regression

 

DERISION CULT was born in 2014, with Dave McAnally in Chicago, Illinois, but the true
powerhouse of DERISION CULT emerged after Dave took a hiatus from music. Following an
inspiring interaction with the frontman of DIE WARZAU, Dave reconfigured his perspective
on art and returned to music with a renewed passion and vision.
To help complete the powerhouse ensemble of DERISION CULT, Sean Payne, a renowned
Chicago producer, brings his expertise in production, synths, and programming, crafting
synthetic atmospheres and cybernetic textures that pulse with dystopian energy. Brad
Huston drives the sound with grinding, distorted guitars and intricate programming, while
Jesse Hunt, also a member of the legendary industrial collective Pigface, delivers percussion
with a relentless, machine-like force that anchors the chaos.
Dave McAnally brings his raw, unfiltered metal edge, combining searing riffs and unyielding
intensity with Sean's industrial precision. Together, they forge a unique soundscape—a
brutal yet hypnotic fusion of mechanical rhythms, cold metallic textures, and incendiary
energy. This alchemy of true metal grit and industrial precision defines DERISION CULT as
an unstoppable force, carving their signature sound into the landscape of modern industrial
rock.
The name DERISION CULT finds its origins in a review written about the infamous film The
Room. The author referred to the film as a "cult of derision," highlighting how widespread
ridicule transformed the movie into a cult classic. This idea resonated deeply with Dave
McAnally, especially as he observed a growing trend of brands intentionally provoking
outrage to generate profit.
These parallels struck a chord in Dave’s personal life, embodying the tension between
authenticity and manipulation—a theme woven into the DNA of DERISION CULT's music.
Much like the industrial soundscapes the band creates—gritty, unapologetic, and
confrontational—the name itself reflects the raw energy of rebellion, a defiant stand against
a world where outrage and exploitation reign supreme. The result is a moniker as striking
and thought-provoking as the mechanical rhythms and distorted riffs that define their sound.
DERISION CULT signed with Glitch Mode Recordings in 2021, solidifying their place in the
industrial rock and metal scene. Since then, they have collaborated with iconic acts such as
Chris Connelly of PIGFACE, Martin Atkins of NINE INCH NAILS, STABBING WESTWARD,
and CYANOTIC, further sharpening their mechanical edge and sonic ferocity.
Drawing inspiration from a diverse array of artists like MEGADETH, ROB ZOMBIE, and
DAVID BOWIE, DERISION CULT weaves together razor-sharp guitar riffs, relentless
machine-driven rhythms, and haunting synthetic textures. This fusion creates a soundscape
that is both brutal and hypnotic, combining the visceral aggression of metal with the cold,
calculated precision of industrial music.
The result is a signature sound and image that straddles the line between dystopian chaos
and electrifying rebellion, marking DERISION CULT as a true force in the genre.

 

 

Mercenary Notes Pt 2 Album Credits:

• Produced by: Sean Payne
• Recording Studio: Glitch Mode Recordings
• Engineered by: Brad Huston
• Mastered by: Sean Payne, Brad Huston
• Album Artwork: Jim Marcus
• Featured Guests:
• Reeves Gabrels (DAVID BOWIE, THE CURE) – Lead guitars on "Warning Signs" and "Radiation Blues"
• Pete Berwick – Vocals on "Joker’s Wild (And Kings Are Dead)" and "Influence"
• Ronaldo Rodriguez – Organ on "Joker’s Wild (And Kings Are Dead)"
• Justin Broadrick (GODFLESH, JESU) – Remix of "Warning Signs"
• Cyanotic – Remix of "Radiation Blues"