ALBUM REVIEW: Where Only The Truth Is Spoken – Malevolence

MALEVOLENCE are on what seems to be an unstoppable upward trajectory where no goal feels out of their reach. Having just smashed a secret set at the prestigious Download Festival this past weekend, their latest effort Where Only The Truth Is Spoken feels like it couldn’t land at a better time.

Blood From The Leach immediately swings for the fences with a burst of lip-smacking riff attack. Hefty grooves get the party started in emphatic fashion. Trenches brings the beatdown, punchy heaviness ups the intensity levels. The signature snarl of frontman Alex Taylor slots perfectly into this rager. If It’s All The Same To You keeps the buoyant momentum in full flow. Ferocious drum sequences run amok alongside powerful vocal work courtesy of axeman Konan Hall.

Counterfeit is drenched in undeniable hooks which were made for the maniacs in the pit. The tempo is injected with some pace to ensure maximum destruction. Salt The Wound has received a whole host of remarks dubbing it the modern metal Cemetery Gates and it is hard to refute that comparison. Ballad-esque verses meet formidable chorus lines, forming an explosive partnership. So Help Me God offers up another enticing portion of riffing that makes you want to stomp a hole in the floor. Another impressive chorus section is crying out for fan participation.

Imperfect Picture is fuelled by pure rhythmic rage. Alluring riff sequences leave you no alternative but to bang your head. Heavens Shake sustains the hot streak, piled generously with adrenaline and infectious melodies. The only way In Spite could hit any harder is with a mindblowing guest feature, lucky for us MALEVOLENCE just happened to acquire the services of the iconic Randy Blythe. His instantly identifiable grittiness amplifies anything it touches and is the ideal accompaniment to this composition.

Demonstration Of Pain opens with an array of combustible drum work and a ridiculously satisfying snare. The ebbing and flowing velocity allows for surges of energy to copiously spill throughout.  Saving one of the best for last, With Dirt From My Grave leaves your head in a spin with punishing blast beats and electric shredding from the enigmatic Josh Baines. One hell of a parting shot.

Where Only The Truth Is Spoken is another fine example of why MALEVOLENCE are revered as one of the hottest acts in metal. It is difficult to determine any form of misstep throughout its runtime. Each track is finessed and straight to the point, ensuring for maximum impact. Whether this release finds itself in the hands of an established fan or a complete newcomer it is guaranteed to tick all the boxes.

Rating: 9/10

Where Only The Truth Is Spoken is out now via Nuclear Blast Records

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