Review by Rick Eaglestone for MPM
Mere days ago, Sheffield’s own Malevolence infected Download festival with a wave of big riffs and huge hooks and now they look to leave a long-lasting impression on the weary with blistering new studio album Where Only The Truth Is Spoken.
The immediate statement of opener Blood To The Leech is one of sure-fire dominance with a skull splitting grove unpinning relentlessly drum patterns, breakdown, and vocal delivery that undyeable in its captivation and we are thrust into Trenches it is clear that the band are certainly carving their own path. There is also a divine plethora of solos that are utterly delectable.
If It’s All The Same To You although is flooded with nostalgia absolutely smacks of everything right with modern metal and will easily be a sure-fire live festival favourite. This is complimented by the unapologetic delivery of the ominous Counterfeit – Vocally and aesthetically this is hands down the albums crowning glory.
There is a clear dynamic shift with the slower Salt The Wound but don’t be fooled although it is overall more velvet there is certainly a razor blade ready to slice through the softness to amplify the album’s heavier narrative.
Moving into the tornado of So Help Me God there are elements of clear technical brilliance that just shines through and when placed with Imperfect Picture there is an elevated level of an unwillingness compromise in favour of further pushing current sub genres.
If Heavan’s Shake was a beverage, it would be a smooth Black Coffee Worship just with the addition of hot sauce – still nice, just spicy – the backdrop of real-life soundscapes with the backdrop of an absolute ass kicking and dynamic delivery.
Featuring the album’s only guest in which has none other than Randy Blythe is In Spite – honestly, what a worthy collaboration. At this point, the album holds its own but when a spearhead of the last 25 plus years you can’t really pass down the opportunity.
_ “The story behind each song comes from lived experiences rather than
just meaningless words on the page. It’s not all just about anger or
aggression; there’s a lot of weight in the words across the whole
album, whether that’s addressing personal struggles, the state of the
world, or the highs and lows of life. It was important to me to really
step up on the lyrics of this album. I think you can feel that raw
energy and emotion in every track, and I hope people will connect with
it on a deeper level. It’s 100% my proudest work to date.” _ – Alex
Taylor
The album concludes with the duo of Demonstration Of Pain and With Dirt From Grave further demonstrating the bands relentlessly nature and ending very much how the album started with hard and face paced seniority.
Where Only The Truth Is Spoken track listing:
1. Blood From The Leach
2. Trenches
3. If It’s All The Same To You
4. Counterfeit
5. Salt The Wound
6. So Help Me God
7. Imperfect Picture
8. Heavens Shake
9. In Spite (ft. Randy Blythe)
10. Demonstration Of Pain
11. With Dirt From My Grave
Line-up:
Alex Taylor – vocals
Konan Hall – guitars, vocals
Josh Baines – guitars
Wilkie Robinson – bass
Charlie Thorpe – drums
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8/10
