Review: “The Gathering of Souls” by Malformed

Less than a year after their self released demo “Uncontrollable Malformity” punched is square in the face, Helsinki Finland based Death Metal unit Malformed have returned with a sophomore record. Written during the winter of 2022-2023 before being committed to tape during the spring with Juuso Hämäläinen (Azatoth, Disguised Malignance) in the producers chair, “The Gathering of Souls” was arranged and recorded at the band’s barren rehearsal place in Espoo. Crafted by the hands of guitarist and vocalist Eetu Hyvönen and bassist Pauli Niemi, who are joined by guitarist Akseli Lindroos and drummer Jani Seppi in late 2022, this record marks their first as a full band as the demo was completed before the arrival of Seppi…

Given that “The Gathering of Souls” was recorded in the bands rehearsal space, it doesn’t sound as raw and primitive as you might expect. In fact the drum is pretty crisp and clean, attention being paid to the positioning of the microphones to ensure the band get the best from their DIY efforts. The opening cut is the deepest with “Drowning in Emptiness” having 90s American Death Metal influences from the Florida scene and a ripper of a Death Thrash solo in the final moments to introduce the band to the would be discerning listener like a battering ram to the skull. The title track “The Gathering of Souls” then races away like a flame along a gasoline vapour trail, hungry to find the fuel source in order to reach its full potential. Naturally that happens quickly as this lean, mean fighting machine deliver rampaging percussion and sinister riffs galore at breakneck speed. The dry, raspy vocals from Hyvönen are nothing short of demonic, the rantings of Gollum, whose mind is long since gone as he obsesses on a single object that shimmers in the darkness. “Defiled” continues to lead us like lambs to the slaughter with echoes of the works of bands like Twitch Of The Death Nerve painted on the walls in blood alongside solos galore. Malformed aren’t style over substance however and confirm that with the savage “Enchantments of Nihilism“, a track which would be the perfect soundscape for a killing spree in a low budget horror film. The guitars are classically old school in tone and you can at points hear the clicking on the fretboards, which adds a real charm. A bass heavy opening ignites the blue touch paper of “Mind Refinery” which finds Hyvönen reaching some ridiculous bowel clenching gutteral lows vocally as the riffs fly in all directions. Resistance is futile as the zombie hordes come scratching a the door, their repugnant flesh hungering for replenishment. 30 seconds in and you’ll be addicted because Malformed are ready to take on the World… [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Drowning in Emptiness
2. The Gathering of Souls
3. Defiled
4. Enchantments of Nihilism
5. Mind Refinery

“The Gathering of Souls” by Malformed is out 13th October 2023 via Extremely Rotten Sounds