Last year I had the honour of listening to and reviewing Malakhim’s Demo I and it was simply a stunning piece of art. Malakhim are now ready to build on this by releasing an EP through Iron Bonehead Productions and frankly this is even more stunning. First thing off the bat is the sound which I didn’t think could be better than the demo. Once again recorded in the Wolf’s Lair, Malakhim have cemented a sound that intimidates and embraces you. This is majestic and I cannot stress enough that Malakhim are about to make the big time. Malakhim are the future of blackened death metal. Period.
Opening with “In the Rays of the New Sun”, it all comes alive with vocalist E’s blackened growls which are unique. Being able to change his vocal style in a heartbeat is frightening. The band, consisting of guitarists AK and AN, bassist TK and drummer VT, are all superb musicians and this really is a magical concoction. Various time changes, hints of early Watain and Dissection… but Malakhim have an identity of their own. This song is very similar in feeling as the first track on Demo I, “A Thousand Burning Worlds” where you cannot wait to get onto the second song but you want to hear this one again first.
“Triumphant Spears” is in the more early black metal territory than its predecessor sound-wise with almost blast beats from VT and frenetic riffs emanating from the speakers. This is reminiscent of the early days with a production that reminds me of early Darkthrone – always a plus in my book. While this song is a lot faster, there is structure and density to acknowledge the depth of talent on show here.
“He Who Devours” starts off mid-pace with a stunning riff and just got this veteran moshing in unison. This is where I feel Malakhim are at their strongest, when the song starts off mid-paced and builds the atmosphere until it all kicks off. Majestic riffs and once again the vocals from E are astounding. Time changes are prevalent throughout (once again Dissection are thought of here) but Malakhim add their own mystery to the mix. Beautifully structured and brought together, the ending is one of the many highlights of the EP.
Final track “Sworn to Satan’s Fire” is no ballad and starts off with the fastest drumming on the EP and is the most chaotic of all the songs. This will get any pit going and with fast intense riffs mixed with melodies, this is reminiscent of songs like “Malfeitor” from Watain but once again, Malakhim are no mere copycats. While earlier songs may have more time changes, this is more in your face and relentless in its ferocity. It’s a song that makes the listener beg for more material from Malakhim.
I was really worried about how this was going to pan out, such was the strength and power of Demo I, but I am more than satisfied that they have surpassed my expectations with II. From such a strong demo, Malakhim have taken their debut recording and made their songs thicker and more complex without losing their structure or meaning and built this monstrous recording. You would think that this would take years to perfect but Malakhim have a natural talent for this art form. All we need now is an album and that would set the world on fire for Malakhim. The world is Malakhim’s if they want it.
II is out March 8th via Iron Bonehead Productions
