Album Review: Malevolence – Where Only The Truth Is Spoken
Sheffield’s metal heroes MALEVOLENCE have just released their fourth studio album “Where Only The Truth Is Spoken” (out now via MLVLTD in partnership with Nuclear Blast Records). The past few years has seen the group go from strength to strength and along with it gracing some huge stages with iconic names in heavy music and garnering an ever growing fan base along the way. This new found popularity however often adds a new sense of pressure when it comes to releasing new music, a pressure that Malevolence have seemingly taken in their stride with their most accomplished body of work to date.
“Blood From The Leech” is a perfect opener and has everything we love from the Malev boys. Thunderous riffs, head-banging grooves and pit crushing breakdowns lead by Alex Taylor’s visceral screams that sets the tone for the record with a no-prisoners approach straight out of the gate. The lead single “Trenches” still hits hard with the call out “MLVLTD We’re still fucking enemies” that will reverberate around sweaty packed out rooms for years to come.
While much of the album thrives on big riffs and ‘no fucks given’ energy, Malevolence also show an evolved sense of melody and arrangement that sets them apart from the pack. “If It’s All The Same To You” is a blend of nostalgia and modernity, where Konan Hall’s soaring vocals and Alex Taylor’s venomous growls intertwine perfectly. “Counterfeit” is another rager with chuggy riffs, memorable hooks and eerie aesthetics combining before a “one, two, three, four” sets off a rip roaring solo from modern guitar hero Josh Baines. Then there’s “Salt The Wound,” the band’s most dynamic song yet. A slow-burning track that is one part clean-sung ballad and one part headbanging rager, it really is the best of both worlds and demonstrates the range Malev bring to the table.
The bands latest single “So Help Me God,” reignites the fire with another masterclass of technical riffing. One thing they do so well is shift through tempos and dynamics between sections without it feeling forced, and this is on full display on this song. “Imperfect Picture” is another nostalgia fuelled anthem with flashes of Crowbar, Machine Head and Lamb Of God all viewed through a Malevolence lens.
“Heaven’s Shake” doesn’t let up either, it’s as fiery as it is flavourful – a layered mix of soundscapes and aggressive instrumentation that feels cinematic, almost apocalyptic. But the ultimate sonic detonation comes with “In Spite,” featuring Lamb Of God’s Randy Blythe. A big influence for the band so his appearance must be a dream to come true and he doesn’t disappoint. His scorched-throat fury melds seamlessly with the blistering barrage of slick riffs and licks, intricate drumming and beatdowns. The closing double of “Demonstration Of Pain” and “With Dirt From My Grave” ensure there’s no mercy left on the table. The former swings like a wrecking ball, while the latter shreds and screams into the abyss — an emphatic full stop on a statement of an album.
9/10 – Where Only The Truth Is Spoken isn’t just another great album from Malevolence. It’s a defining milestone from a band whose grind, growth, and grit have brought them to the frontlines of modern metal. There are no missteps here. No filler. Just fire.
