Published: July 12, 2026
The German metal band continue their Norse mythology cycle with “The Serpent Of Midgard” before a 2026 European headline tour with Ov Sulfur, Extermination Dismemberment, Acranius and Sun Eater
Mental Cruelty have released “The Serpent Of Midgard,” a new single and cinematic video rooted in Norse mythology. The song tells the story of Jörmungandr, Loki’s second child, and the serpent’s final battle with Thor.
The release follows “Helheim,” which also drew from Norse mythology and expanded the band’s sound with folk instrumentation. “The Serpent Of Midgard” continues that direction while adding black metal and melodic death metal elements to the band’s deathcore foundation.
“The Serpent Of Midgard” places Mental Cruelty deeper into mythological territory. The source material presents the song as a retelling of Jörmungandr rising from the depths and facing Thor in a final confrontation that ends with both figures falling.
The band connected the new single to the expansion that began with “Helheim.”
“On last year’s ‘Helheim,’ we expanded our instruments beyond typical deathcore fare — guitar, bass, drums and, of course, monstrous vocals — to include folk music’s talharpa, aiding in the telling of Norse mythology’s Hel,” Mental Cruelty stated. “It’s only appropriate we continue darkening our sound with more black metal and melodeath inspirations as we tell the story of her brother, Jörmungandr, the titular ‘Serpent of Midgard,’ in his epic ocean battle with his uncle Thor.”
The band also described the mythological ending behind the song.
“For those unfamiliar with the folklore, it ends in both of their demises: talk about family issues!”
Mental Cruelty said the track was written to capture the intensity of the battle between Jörmungandr and Thor. The band also referenced guitarist Nahuel Lozano’s working title for the song and the influence of bands around them.
“Musically, we wanted to capture the intensity of the conflict, with our guitarist Nahuel Lozano’s working title of ‘Gojibehe’ summing up key influences,” the band stated. “You can guess those, but we’ll spell out the inspiration behind the chunky mid-section and the closest thing we get to a full-on breakdown here: our brothers Signs Of The Swarm and the insane tones on their latest album!”
Mental Cruelty released an official video for “The Serpent Of Midgard.”
The band also noted that the video was filmed in subzero temperatures.
“But while we learned from bands we look up to and friends alike musically, sadly, we never learn from ourselves and once again shot the music video in subzero temperatures,” the band stated. “The results are worth it—you can see for yourself—but damn, that was cold.”
Mental Cruelty will return to Europe for a headline tour in November and December 2026. The tour features Ov Sulfur and Extermination Dismemberment, with Acranius and Sun Eater appearing on select dates.
EUROPEAN HEADLINE TOUR WITH OV SULFUR AND EXTERMINATION DISMEMBERMENT
November 27, 2026 — Rotterdam, Netherlands — Baroeg — with Sun Eater
November 28, 2026 — Cologne, Germany — Club Volta — with Sun Eater
November 29, 2026 — Nijmegen, Netherlands — Doornroosje — with Sun Eater
November 30, 2026 — Birmingham, United Kingdom — Asylum — with Sun Eater
December 2, 2026 — Manchester, United Kingdom — Academy 3 — with Sun Eater
December 3, 2026 — London, United Kingdom — Downstairs At The Dome — with Sun Eater
December 4, 2026 — Paris, France — Glazart — with Sun Eater
December 5, 2026 — Antwerp, Belgium — Zappa — with Sun Eater
December 6, 2026 — Hamburg, Germany — Bahnhof Pauli — with Acranius
December 7, 2026 — Copenhagen, Denmark — Hotel Cecil — with Acranius
December 8, 2026 — Stockholm, Sweden — Kollektivet Livet — with Acranius
December 10, 2026 — Jyväskylä, Finland — Lutakko — with Acranius
December 11, 2026 — Helsinki, Finland — Ääniwalli — with Acranius
December 13, 2026 — Gothenburg, Sweden — Monument — with Acranius
December 14, 2026 — Berlin, Germany — Hole 44 — with Acranius
December 15, 2026 — Prague, Czech Republic — Rock Café — with Acranius
December 16, 2026 — Frankfurt, Germany — Das Bett — with Sun Eater and Acranius
December 17, 2026 — Munich, Germany — Backstage — with Acranius
December 18, 2026 — Aarau, Switzerland — KIFF — with Acranius
December 19, 2026 — Schweinfurt, Germany — Alter Stattbahnhof — with Acranius
December 20, 2026 — Karlsruhe, Germany — Substage — with Acranius
Mental Cruelty began in 2014 in Karlsruhe, Germany as a slamming deathcore band. The source material describes the band’s sound as having grown darker over time, especially through A Hill To Die Upon in 2021 and Zwielicht in 2023.
The new single “The Serpent Of Midgard” and the earlier “Helheim” are both connected to Loki’s children from Norse mythology. The source material frames these songs as part of the band’s continued movement into black metal, melodic death metal and folk-influenced territory.
The announcement also notes that Mental Cruelty have shared stages with Kanonenfieber, Cradle Of Filth, Lorna Shore, Shadow Of Intent, Signs Of The Swarm, Angelmaker, Synestia and Carnifex.
LINEUP
Lukas Nicolai — vocals
Nahuel Lozano — guitars, vocals
Marvin Kessler — guitars
Jonathan Koltun — drums
Through “The Serpent Of Midgard,” Mental Cruelty continue a mythological direction that links Helheim, Jörmungandr and the band’s expanding sound. The single places Norse storytelling inside a heavier framework shaped by deathcore, black metal, melodic death metal and folk elements, while the 2026 European headline tour brings that chapter to the road with Ov Sulfur, Extermination Dismemberment, Acranius and Sun Eater.
Looters*
Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist
Watch the official video for “The Serpent Of Midgard” below.
