ANTI-SAPIEN return with At the Mercy of the Merciless, a 22 minute blast of sewer-filthy death crust that captures the band in a moment of evolution and escalation. Written on the road and recorded at Growl House Studios for a January 16, 2026 release on Terminus Hate City, the record feels like the point where a pandemic side project that started as a joke has hardened into a focused, relentless, politically furious machine. The songs are still fun, still catchy, still gross and sweaty, but the riffing has become more intricate and the sense of purpose sharper, with the band leaning into real world themes, personal damage, and systemic rot without sacrificing the primal thrill of heavy music.
About ANTI-SAPIEN:
ANTI-SAPIEN formed in Brooklyn in 2021 and grew quickly from a loose pandemic experiment into a touring force known for filthy death crust riffs, sweat soaked shows, and a message that cuts through the noise. The band began as a way for friends to blow off steam and write ugly, fun songs that blended their love of D beat punk, death metal, grind, and the classic New York slam tradition. What surprised them was how quickly audiences connected to not only the heaviness but the honesty. Kids responded to the riffs but also to the moments between songs where the band spoke openly about inequality, exploitation, and the systems that grind people down. That connection pushed ANTI-SAPIEN to take the project further, tighten their sound, and hit the road hard across the United States and eventually through Australia, Korea, and Japan.
Over time the band’s lineup shifted into the current form of Blake Charlton, Alex Fewell, Ryan Murphy, and Nathan Rand, all seasoned musicians with long histories in heavy music. Their combined backgrounds in bands like Ramming Speed, Black Mass, Soul Remnants, and others helped shape the sound into something both raw and disciplined, equal parts crust punk grit and death metal precision. They have played festivals like NEDM Funtime Bonanza and the NYDM International Fest, building a reputation for fast sets, filthy tones, and a refusal to shy away from uncomfortable truths.
ANTI-SAPIEN operate with a clear sense of purpose. They are proudly anti fascist, openly political, and committed to calling out abuses of power while keeping their shows rooted in community and catharsis. The band writes music that is catchy and disgusting, equal parts sewer filth and adrenaline, and they deliver it with the conviction of people who believe heavy music can be fun while still saying something worth hearing. Audiences continue to grow each tour, fueled by the band’s willingness to merge riffs, rage, humor, and a perspective shaped by lived experience.
ANTI-SAPIEN is:
Blake Charlton – Guitar and Lead Vocals
Alex Fewell – Drums
Ryan Murphy – Bass and Backup Vocals
Nathan Rand – Lead Guitar
Connect with ANTI-SAPIEN:
Website: terminushatecity.com
Bandcamp:https://anti-sapien.bandcamp.com/music
E Shop:https://anti-sapien.bandcamp.com/merch
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/AntiSapienBand/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/antisapienband/
YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@antisapienband
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/4qq4lPjBPdNmudoOk1CfRZ
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/anti-sapien/1679779909