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MALEVOLENT CREATION ‘Warkult’ (Nuclear Blast) (2004)
I was really thrilled when I found out that I was going to make a review for Malevolent Creation’s latest release "Warkult". I have been a fan of this band since the release of their debut album "The Ten Commandments", back in 1991 and I also hold the biggest respect for their founder Phil Fasciana, and all the very important musicians, which have participated in the band throughout the years.
For some strange reason, people seem to overlook Malevolent Creation when they are referring to the most important and influential Floridian Death Metal bands, and for that there is no excuse. The band was originally formed in Buffalo/New York in 1997, the same year that they released their first demo. That was the time that the underground Death Metal scene was in it’s prime, and of course, the talent of Phil Fasciana and the rest of the participating musicians was not left unnoticed.
One year later, the band produced their second demo, which managed to strengthen the band’s position in the American underground Death Metal scene. It was their third demo though that brought the band to the attention of Roadrunner Records and led to the recordings of their debut album "The Ten Commandments", back in 1991.
Since then, the band has produced many quality albums such as "Retribution", "In Cold Blood","Envenomed", and has also witnessed a constant change in their line up. The one thing that was left intact is the quality that the band presents with each and every release. Two years ago, the band decided to begin a collaboration with Nuclear Blast records, the result of which was the amazing album "The Will to Kill".
Trying to top an album such as "The Will to Kill" is not an easy task, but I guess that this was a challenge that Phil Fasciana and the rest of the band were quite prepared for. The band’s position was strengthened by the arrival of their "old friend" Dave Culross (ex-Suffocation) behind the drums. This amazing musician gave that extra power to the Slayeric riffs that both Phil Fasciana and Rob Barret love to compose. Gordon Simms is again the one to provide the foundations on which Malevolent’s music is based, and last, but certainly not least, comes one of the best Death Metal vocalists I have seen and listened to in years, Kyle Symons. I don’t know what makes this man perform the way he does, but I believe that he deserves to be the band’s frontman more than anyone else.
I had no doubt that "Warkult" will be a good album, but I must admit that Fasciana and Co outdid themselves with this release. Everything we love and admire about Malevolent Creation lives and reigns in this 45 minute album: fast riffs, explicit drumming, inspirational guitar solos and one of the best voices in modern Death Metal. The first good signs came with "Dead March", an intro which will bring memories of the one that the band used on their debut album "The Ten Commandments".
After that there is a variety of fast and mid-tempo songs, equally impressive and inspirational. I loved each and every minute of this album, but I think that next time that I see the band live, it will be songs like "Preemptive Strike", "Supremacy Through Annihilation" and "Section 8" that will urge me to perform the ancient art of stagediving. An extra credit must be given to Phil Plaskon who recorded the album, and also to Jean Francois Degenais (Leader and axeman of the Canadian outfit Kataklysm), for the incredible work he did in producing and mixing the album.
Malevolent Creation have suffered continuous indifference on the part of both the media and fans of Death Metal music throughout the years. The incredible thing is that not only did they not give up as many bands would have done, but they stood strong and became better and better with every release. "Warkult" is a monument of strong will and talent that should be appreciated by all the extreme Metal fans. I, for one, am happy that Nuclear Blast decided to invest in the band, and cannot wait to see them live this coming June. Gather your gear and prepare for the assault of one of the best Death Metal bands ever to set foot on the face of the earth!
*****
Review by John Stefanis
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