Review: “Where Only The Truth Is Spoken” by Malevolence

“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 meteoric rise of Sheffield shredders Malevolence over the past four years has been nothing short of a joy to behold and evidence if evidence was needed that the hard work of the hustle and the grind pays off. The truth is that the band have been around since 2010, dropping their first album in “Reign Of Suffering” in 2013. An underground metal scene force to be reckoned with, they established themselves as serious players with 2017’s “Self Supremacy” and everyone watched on waiting for the moment that they got signed to a major label with sold out shows, stage dives, high fives and circle pits going off right left and centre. Vocalist Alex Taylor was even being tapped up for guest vocal appearances from bands from all corners of the globe, demonstrating the respect other bands had for them. That wait didn’t come to an end with 2020 EP “The Other Side” however it did showcase a broader depth to the bands sound. Things were beginning to happen however and in 2021 the band played an early afternoon slot on the main stage at Bloodstock Open Air Festival and suddenly the floodgates opened. The band, rounded out by guitarist and vocalist Konan Hall, drummer Charlie Thorpe, bassist Wilkie Robinson and guitarist Josh Baines, inked a deal with Nuclear Blast. 2022 saw the unleashing of album “Malicious Intent” and the band began touring the world. 2023 then saw them play Europe, America and Australia, opening for Trivium as well as playing Knotfest. 2024 saw the five piece return to the Ronnie James Dio stage at Bloodstock, this time as direct support for headliners Architects before returning to the studio to work with Grammy Award winning producer Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God, Gojira, Trivium) on a new album…

As you might expect from a Groove Metal band in their prime, opening cut “Blood From The Leech” is an almighty statement of *ahem* malicious intent from Malevolence. They get things underway with a metaphorical shotgun blast of a tune, some technical guitar work early on followed by thunderous staccato riff breaks as Wilbur shows why he is so highly thought of. He’s given the band a clean and crisp sound on the boards and as gang chant moments rain down like death from above you can’t help but feel this record is going to be an absolute scorcher. Curiously, one glance at the track listing shows that there isn’t a title track and at the end of the opener, a gritty sample from what sounds like actor Sean Bean finishes with “In Gods own country, where only the truth is spoken“. That moment is a calm before the storm which sets up the brutal “Trenches” perfectly. A heavy hitting track about a hanger on, who has clearly crossed the band at some point, this is one of those cuts with a name as Taylor vents his spleen, spitting blood over groove laden riffs for two steppers. After that venomous nastiness comes “If It’s All The Same To You” during which the band have some fun. Comparisons to mid-career Lamb Of God are obvious, the air of confidence in the bands verve and swagger making this one a seriously infectious tune. It seems as if they have found their home between the worlds of Sludge, Thrash and Groove Metal without losing that love of Metallic Hardcore and aren’t afraid to tweak the formula if it sounds good to their ears.

The thunderous “Counterfeit” has scorcher of a solo at its beating heart, a sinister opening riff building a sense of tension before the main one comes in putting some bounce in the mosh pit. Another venomous tirade from Taylor about another one of his enemies makes for a song that you can make your own, the blend of his furious bark and Hall’s clean sung parts as majestic as ever. A downtempo finale makes for a skull crushing moment before melodic introduction to “Salt The Wound” offers some clear water. Lush acoustic melodies float underneath glorious clean vocals but what makes it is the repeated transition into and out from heavier parts which are nothing short of sublime. An instant scratch card winner of a Melodic Metal classic, this one will have you coming back for more, time and time again. An arena filling sing-a-long chorus and scream-a-long verse paired with a face melting solo make “So Help Me God” another stone cold winner, the band hammering the nails into the coffins of the naysayers in some style by this point. The influences from Down and Crowbar are front and centre when it comes to  “Imperfect Picture“, the infectious riffs masterfully building to a chunky Beatdown style breakdown as the five piece once again demonstrate strength beyond strength.

Taylor exposes his skull and crossbones with the lyrics of “Heavens Shake“, baring his soul and speaking of his upbringing on the streets of the steel city in a tale about how he has broken the cycle. It’s one of those tunes that really gets you thinking about how far the band have come as individuals, breaking the cycle of depravation to play shows across the globe. Heartfelt and of almighty stature with both style and grace, it might not end up being one they perform live but it certainly captures the imagination. To have a guest like Randy Blythe of Lamb Of God on one of their albums back in 2013 must have seemed unthinkable but he makes his presence felt on “In Spite“, going toe to toe with Taylor as the band deliver another belter. Powerful rhythmic battery from Thorpe and Robinson create the backbone as the riffs fly in all directions, the sentiment of refusing to be broken one that runs through the very heart of Hardcore. Their fists remain clenched for the loaded gun that is “Demonstration Of Pain“, the rattle snake hissing as mosh parts keep coming. Metallic Hardcore blood and thunder to the very core, this one is arguably the heaviest cut on the album with Taylor bringing a couple of Blythe isms to the table. Last but my no means least is “With Dirt From My Grave“, a cut which ensures the album has no fat to be trimmed as the band remain a lean, mean, well oiled fighting machine. A classic Machine Head style anthem, this one has another scream-a-long chorus alongside a plethora of weighty guitar work, the intricate solo utterly spellbinding [9/10]

Track Listing

1. Blood From The Leech
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 of Lamb Of God)
10. Demonstration Of Pain
11. With Dirt From My Grave

“Where Only The Truth Is Spoken” by Malevolence is out 20th June 2025 via Nuclear Blast