Artist: Malevolent Creation
Title: Invidious Dominion
Genre: Death Metal
Release Date: 27th August 2010
Label: Massacre Records
Album Review
MALEVOLENT CREATION were one of the many “greats” during the early Death Metal 90s era. SIX FEET UNDER, SUFFOCATION, CANNIBAL CORPSE, and MALEVOLENT CREATION… those were the mighty names. And many of them still are. MALEVOLENT CREATION is still mighty and still performing that uncompromising crushing Death Metal mixed with a bit of Thrash to keep things interesting. On their latest album, ‘Invidious Dominion’, the band continues to perform hard and heavy music and also return to the dark and scary idea of demons and the underworld mixed with the current plagues of human society. It is very apocalyptic and suits the bands’ musical tastes as well. However, they also veer off a bit their original path which takes them into GOD DETHRONED territory. The second vocalist- the first one left around 2006, especially, sound just like GOD DETHRONED, and unfortunately it takes away from MAELOVENT CREATION’S credibility and their original deep growl that was so popular.
As far as the music goes, it is very distorted, brief, and relentless. Tracks like ‘Slaughterhouse’ are angry buzzing tracks that fortunately don’t overshadow the drums and offer a few solos here and there. It’s the pure brutality that is so beautiful when it comes to this band. And the fact that it adds the catchy elements of thrash doesn’t hurt either. ‘Compulsive Facebreaker’ is just a rapid fire assault that will make fans of old MALEVOLENT CREATION happy for the gruesome lyrics and “non-compromising” attitude. ‘Target Rich Environment’ is a bit slower than the other tracks and more accessible for its chugging nature. However, it is also one of the more popular songs off the album due to this accessibility and the relief it doesn’t just cause a major headache with the skull pounding rhythm. ‘Born Again Hard’ is the most thrash influenced track due to the guitar style and is one that fans have to head bang to for the groovy rhythm of the guitar along with the militaristic drums that just hammer away.
Finally, the title track takes things at a mid pace, trying to be accessible, but can be hard to keep up with at times. The guitars are fine in a chugging rhythm, but the drums seem a bit fast and ahead of the rest of the music. Once the solo kicks in, though, the track seems as good enough for MALEVOLENT CREATION’S standards. This is good, as MALEVOLENT CREATION haven’t failed yet in creating a hard, death metal atmosphere that can’t please their fans. However, the vocal style may turn a few off when listening to current MALEVOLENT CREATION and then diving back about six years to when they were at their pinnacle. It just doesn’t feel like it is the same band anymore. It is like when ICED EARTH lost Matt Barlow to Tim Owens. It just didn’t feel the same or proper until Barlow returned. Some may disagree, and some may take more time in getting use to the evolution of MALEVOLENT CREATION. It just seems like a very abrupt change for when they already had a great racket going with their former style.
Tracklist
01. United Hate
02. Conflict Finalized
03. Slaughterhouse
04. Compulsive Face Breaker
05. Lead Spitter
06. Target Rich Environment
07. Antagonized
08. Born Again Hard
09. Corruptor
10. Insidious Domain
Line-up
Brett Hoffmann - Vocals
Phil Fasciana - Guitar
Gio Geraca - Guitar
Jason Blachowicz - Bass
Gus Rios - Drums
Website
http://www.myspace.com/malevolentcreation
Cover Picture
Rating
Sound: 7
Music: 8
Total: 7.5 / 10
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