The undisputed kings of Sheffield metal, Malevolence, are taking us to “Where Only The Truth Is Spoken”. These UK legends have been grinding since 2010, and now playing big stages like Bloodstock, Download & capping it off with a huge headline tour in November. Malevolence are at the forefront of creating the best when it comes to heavy arse metal from the british isle.
2022’s “Malicious Intent” saw the band take another huge lead within the music scene & release my favourite album of that year. Blending the brutality of Hatebreed with the bouncy riffs of Pantera & Chimaera with a nice little sprinkle of Crowbar to round out their influences, but firmly greeting their sound & showing the world this is Malevolence, and their latest offering is no different.
“Blood From The Leach” is the first swing of a three-hit combo. This track is hard & to the point. Within the first few bars, you can hear it’s the most focused, tightest & well-rounded the sound band has had yet. Due to the album being recorded in Studio 606, the album was tracked through the iconic Neve 8078 console, the same desk that captured game-changing records like Nirvana’s Nevermind, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours. Some gain changing records. Even in 2025, the band has kept that organic, raw sound.
The flurry of riffs right off the bat from Josh Baines & Konan Hall has the power of a diesel chainsaw, able to cut through anything in their way. Charlie Thorpe’s drum sound on this track (and the whole album) is my favourite so far. Charlie is a very special drummer & getting the hard-hitting performance from track one gives you insight into just how bludgeoning this album will be.
An early single, “Trenches”, is Malvelonce through & through. Heavy as fuck intro & introspective lyrics from the brillant Alex Taylor this track is everything you could want. Fantastic two-step section in the grand chorus featuring the gorgeous pipes from Kon, “There’s no you and I, You’re two steps behind…” makes you want to sing along from the first time you hear it. These boys are so perfect at creating some of the best sing-alongs within metal. This track is hard & emotional..
This album now features my favourite Malevolence track to date, “Salt The Wound”. Since day one, they have had a melodic element within their DNA, whether it be “Turn To Stone” from “Reign of Suffering”, “The Other Side” or “Higher Place” of their last two releases. The band have been able to have a track or two on the album that blends the emotional, deep personal lyrics & an amazing performance from guitarist & second vocalist Kon as a juxtaposition to Taylor’s screams to create this perfect partnership to create these legendary tracks.
Opening the track with a chilling but beautiful clean section, Hall gets to show how far his vocals have come over the band’s last few albums, as the chorus hits, the band turn things up, and Taylor caps off the moment feeling like a perfect blend of the aguishly lyrical theme of the track. Thorpe’s drumming on this track is some of the more emotive & diverse to date. Adding accents on cymbals that follow the vocal line & filling out the track with hard-hitting moments, but knows when to draw back & keep the track simple but effective. This track is a landmark for the group & it’s a must listen!
Dipping into the heavy, groovy side, the band do so well, “Imperfect Picture” will be your next summer anthem. With a huge opening riff that has you headbanging from when the doors open, quickly Hall brings in a catchy vocal line that grabs you away. Feeling like the most Yorkshire take on Pantera, this track is a huge one. Oh, and did I say it has one of the biggest breakdowns on the album at the end? Yeah make sure you get somewhere safe for this one, on fuckers safe ha.
“In Spite” ft. Randy Blythe of Lamb of God feels like a full-circle moment for the group. If anyone listens to Malev, you hear the LOG influence runs deep with these guys. So getting the sign off from such a legend feels perfect. Now with most guest spots the band just right an ok track & the highlight is the feature, not with these guys. They lean heavily into their sound & craft a phenomenal track that elevates Randy’s performance to make it so well-rounded.
Feeling like a hugely inspirational track, full of positivity, this banger is heavy as balls. Bassist Wilkie Robinson’s tone on this track is thunderous & fits perfectly with Hall’s & Baines’ bright yet heavy guitar tone. It’s rare to hear a bass player add something to a track & help the band feel full & sonically huge.
As the band builds up to the bridge, they allow Blythe his moment to shine, the perfect blend of his style, but in the Malevolence setting, he feels like a perfect fit, so now we know if they need a stand-in in he might just be able to fill Taylor’s boots ha!
There is honestly not enough time in the band to rave about how superb this album is. Malvelonce has been able to grow leaps & bounds with each album. Many years ago, I predicted they would be the next generation of bands that could headline big festivals & become the new Bullet For My Valentine, Sylosis or Architects in the years to come. And with an album like “Where Only The Truth Is Spoken,” they are onto the next step in becoming one of the biggest bands the UK have given us. Every album this band just gets better & better, and I could honestly gush about every track on this album, but it wouldn’t do it justice.
This is MLVLTD’s game & they are running this shit. Well done, boys, another amazing album.
Review: Joseph Mitchell
Where Only The Truth Is Spoken is out via MLVLTD / Nuclear Blast on 20th June 2025
Track Listing:
1. Blood From The Leach
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)
10. Demonstration Of Pain
11. With Dirt From My Grave
Band Members:
Alex Taylor – vocals
Konan Hall – guitars, vocals
Josh Baines – guitars
Wilkie Robinson – bass
Charlie Thorpe – drums