A Cruel World

In broad terms, Cruel World's songs can be seen as falling into one of two categories: brutal but commercially digestible hardcore ("Straight Hate", "Path to Prevail", "What If I Lost It", "Blood in Blood Out", "Cruel World", "Falling Backwards"), or Alice in Chains styled alternative metal ("Sell Me Out", "Running from Nothing", "Flatlined").

The record's sound carries on, to some extent, in the direction of Vision of Disorder's last release, From Bliss to Devastation, which blended more commercial alternative rock elements with hardcore sounds.

The band’s debut record was recorded with rock producer GGGarth Richardson in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Richardson had previously worked with a number of alternative metal acts, including Rage Against the Machine, Slipknot, 40 Below Summer, Chevelle and Trapt. According to the band, Richardson understood the sound the band was seeking and did not attempt to "tone it down".

The record's production was a lengthy process, spanning approximately three years from beginning to end. After an extended period of writing, the band spent three and a half months in the studio. The basic elements of the album, including most of the vocals, were recorded in six weeks. After taking some time off, the band received an initial mix of the record, but were dissatisfied with the results. The record was remixed with more success by Mike Fraser.

The themes of Cruel World include war ("Straight Hate"), failed relationships ("Leaving Song", "Sell Me Out"), paranoia ("Running from Nothing") and drug addiction ("Flatlined").

The album's first single, the brutal "Straight Hate", was written about American soldiers fighting in Iraq. Vocalist Tim Williams stated that the song was about how difficult it was for the soldiers and that he wanted to write something where the words would help them through the day. Williams denies that the song is political, stating that he does not care about the Government's reasons for deployment of troops to the Gulf.[5]

The song "Flatlined," is about drug addiction, and was written from the perspective of a drug addict who eventually dies. Williams states that one of his best friends, who loved the song, ended up dying in the same way.[5]

The song "Running From Nothing" was one of the band's oldest songs. The band was hanging out at the Brooklyn apartment of guitarist Mike Kennedy when guitarist Nick Rowe brought in the song, half-written. Rowe gave it to Williams, who thought it was "one of the coolest pieces of music [he] had heard in a really long time". He wrote the lyrics on Kennedy's toilet with headphones in a matter of minutes.

The track "Falling Backwards" features a guest performance by Mudvayne's Chad Gray.

"What if I Lost it" was used as the theme music for Fuse TV's Metal Asylum.

1. "Straight Hate" – 4:46
2. "Path to Prevail" – 3:18
3. "What If I Lost It" – 3:25
4. "Blood in Blood Out" – 2:20
5. "Sell Me Out" – 3:38
6. "The Leaving Song" – 4:32
7. "Running from Nothing" – 4:12
8. "Cruel World" – 3:56
9. "Flatlined" – 4:14
10. "Falling Backwards" (feat. Chad Gray of Mudvayne) – 3:51
11. "Plunder" – 6:45

• This song ends at 3:23 followed by silence until 4:53, at which point an inaudible phone conversation fades in which leads to the end of the song.

• Tim Williams – Vocals
• Mike Kennedy – guitar
• Nick Rowe – guitar
• Kyle Sanders – bass guitar
• Chris Hamilton – drums

Album

Singles