EP REVIEW: The Other Side – Malevolence

With a mere three tracks, and only a couple of months of promotion, you’d have every right to assume that The Other Side is set to be little more than a stitch in the tapestry of the MALEVOLENCE journey: but you’d be wrong. Truth be told, there are elements weaved into this triple shot effort that make The Other Side a moment that may well be looked back on as a turning point for these Sheffield brutes in years to come.

Independently funded, and released on their own label – The Other Side is a fascinating 13 minutes before you even press play. But make no mistake about it: what lies within the musical walls of this EP is what becomes most important come its end. The opening one-two of Remain Unbeaten and Keep Your Distance is MALEVOLENCE doubling down on what they’ve already mastered – few are able to surround beat down strikes with groove quite like the five piece. The latter’s bite is somehow given extra venom too, KNOCKED LOOSE vocalist Bryan Garris puts his patented high, harsh pitch on a vocal section that precedes a tooth extracting breakdown: the MALEVOLENCE you love haven’t gone anywhere.

But it’s the title track that becomes the undeniable talking point here. Flirting with 6 minutes in length, with an acoustic opening and a genuine, anthemic chorus – MALEVOLENCE all of a sudden are in unknown territory. Yet they seem as well equipped to master this as they have becoming kings of the underground hardcore scene. Bringing elements of classic rock and traditional metal with its dual vocal attacks, chorus amped guitars and general hook: this is a symbol of where the quintet could be looking to head – and there’s no reason to feel a solitary ounce of trepidation about it.

Short in length, but huge in its effect: The Other Side is somehow a crucial listen despite refusing to stick around long. The truth is, MALEVOLENCE could well have dropped 3 breakdown centric beat-em-ups here and it would have been eaten up; instead it’s a spike of what you’ve already grown to love and a taste of what might steal your heart later on down the line.  As the scarcity of full length MALEVOLENCE releases continues – this EP has just made whatever comes next one of the most exciting propositions in British metal period.

Rating: 8/10

The Other Side is set for release April 24th via MLVLTD Music. 

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