Review by Tammy Lomax for MPM
Formed in South Yorkshire in 2006 , metal band Malevolence established their own record label MLVLTD in late 2019. This enabled the band to have a channel to release as much music as possible.
Nuclear Blast have partnered with Malevolence in cooperation with their own MLVLTD label and have announced they will release their third album, ‘Malicious Intent’ on the 20th May this year.
‘Malicious Intent’ was recorded in the UK at Tree House Studios, it is self produced with mixing handled by Carl Brown and engineering by Jim Pinder.
The new album’s artwork was created by renowned artist Eliran Kantor.
‘Malicious Intent’ is a demonstration of strength, it is an evolution of Malevolence, a product of hard work and creativity over the last couple of years of difficulty.
‘Malicious Intent’ is an embodiment of the progression of their sound, their own personal and individual growth. This results in a more mature sound and it will resonate with those who are seeking self reflection and progression.
The first single released, ‘On Broken Glass’ was accompanied with a video which was filmed in the band’s hometown, Sheffield. The video was directed by longtime friend Daniel Prieß who crafted a simple concept. He captured the raw energy of Malevolence in a live environment, with a crowd. Malevolence always gets a crowd bouncing.
The video was solely accomplished by the band, right down from hiring the venue to inviting close friends and family down to do the shoot.
One of the reasons Malevolence is surging upwards in the metal scene is because of their energy which is undenying in everything they create and do.
‘Life Sentence’ is the second release from the album which follows a similar flow to ‘On Broken Glass’. The group are known to merge genres of metal together, this includes hardcore, punk, even thrash metal and these tracks highlight this versatility.
‘Still Waters Run Deep’ is the third and most recent single to surface and I certainly feel it’s the heaviest at the moment.
They are very clever with their approach and offer us listeners a total bashing. The opening riff feels light and very slinky; it bounces off a lovely down-toned clunky riff, making a clear path for the next section.
The pace is accelerated from here and the hardcore energised vocals offer a poof of umph. There are some lavish breakdowns and even a bass solo which of course makes me a happy Tammy, let that baby shine.
There are numerous ideas yielding together which has resulted in an absolute belting release and these singles have REALLY excited me for their album. I can not wait to hear all this as a whole.
Malicious Intent‘ will be available in the following formats:
- LP
- Green + Sky Blue Splatter (Retail)
- Sky Blue + White Marbled (Nuclear Blast Mail-Order Exclusive)
- Yellow + Blue Corona (Nuclear Blast Mail-Order & Selected Shops)
- Crystal Clear w/ Sky Blue Splatter (US Exclusive)
- Curaco + Sun Yellow Splatter (MLVLTD Exclusive)
- CD Digi-Pack
- Digital Album

Malevolence are:
Alex Taylor | Vocals
Konan Hall | Guitar / Vocals
Josh Baines | Guitar
Wilkie Robinson | Bass
Charlie Thorpe | Drums
Stream ‘Still Waters Run Deep‘: https://bfan.link/Malevolence-StillWatersRunDeep.ema
Malevolence’s new single “Still Waters Run Deep” is out now! Their new album “Malicious Intent” will be out May 20th, pre-order here: https://bfan.link/Malevolence-StillWa…
Follow Malevolence: Website: https://mlvltd.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MalevolenceRiff
Instagram: https://instagram.com/malevolenceriff
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MalevolenceRiff