Malevolent Creation - Warkult

Rating: 8.0

Country: USA

Release Date: 2004

Track list:
1. Dead March
2. Preemptive Strike
3. Supremacy Through Annihilation
4. Murder Reigns
5. Captured
6. Merciless
7. Section 8
8. On Grounds Of Battle
9. Tyranic Oppression
10. Ravaged By Conflict
11. Shock And Awe [MP3]
12. Jack The Ripper (Hobbs' Angel Of Death cover)

Total playing time: 43:39

Band Website: Malevolent Creation

Malevolent Creation - Warkult

Kyle Symons - Vocals
Rob Barrett - Lead Guitars
Phil Fasciana - Lead Guitars
Gordon Simms - Bass
Dave Culross - Drums

I had moderately high expectations for this album, and Malevolent Creation deliver a superior slab of Deathmetal. Not always seen as the most consistent band, most are inclined to think twice before purchasing a Malevolent Creation record. This is simply because of the inherent uncertainty that plagues this band. In the past 10 years since 'Stillborn' we've seen a variety of musical incarnations from the MC camp. Never ones to completely abandon their fundamental sound, they kept the framework familiar. Instead, the subtleties and nuances were the variable. This, I believe can be attributed to things such as the revolving door line-up, changing record labels, and well.... less than satisfactory show attendance at times.

It seems that with 'Warkult', Malevolent Creation have found the much needed spark to light their creative fires again. That said, I think the reader/potential listener should know exactly what to expect now. Mostly fast-paced raging Death/Thrash. I have heard comparisons with 'Retribution' in terms of quality, however, I don't think there's much of a comparison to be made. Malevolent Creation have changed a lot over the last 14 years, and I don't really think a band with such a tumultuous past can be held to the strength or weakness of their prior catalog. Don't take this album as a Malevolent Creation album, so much as an album by a band called Malevolent Creation. Take that into consideration, and you won't be disappointed.

The first track "Dead March" bears a striking militant resemblance to the opener to 'The Ten Commandments'. Only difference being that "Dead March" becomes more of an actual song as it progresses, as opposed to a waste of space introduction like "Memorial Arrangements" was. Even the initial vocal intonation is similar. This is a great song, for about 35 seconds. Then it leads us right into "Pre-Emptive Strike" with a seamless transition. The first few minutes of this album really show to the full extent why Dave Culross is such an admired drummer. His sound is HUGE and drives the music more than any other instrument, which may be due to Liquid Ghost Studios' recording. The actual performance is spot on, though... And you can't credit the studio for that.

"Supremacy Through Annihilation", the third song, is fairly diverse and starts with a bang before slowing to something in between Bolt Thrower and Malevolent Creation tempos. There are about 4 recurring riffs here, all of them being fairly rhythmic and chormatic. I like this song, but it's not my favorite. "Murder Reigns" steps it up a notch, and ends up being one of the real standout tracks here. From the first second, you pretty much know what you're in for. The frenetic guitars and drumrolls, and the inevitable outburst from their semi-new vocalist Kyle Symons. Symons' hardcore background doesn't show here as much as it did on 'The Will To Kill'. He sounds much more comfortable with the band, and bellows like a madman on 'Warkult'. "Murder Reigns" is definitely one of the better tracks, and also one where you can see a bit of the 'Ten Commandments'-era Malevolent rearing it's ugly head.

"Captured" starts as a melodic Thrasher and continues in that manner until the listener is comfortable with the tempo, and abruptly confronts you with some brutish riffage normally reserved for Bolt Thrower albums. Merciless, the following song, follows in a very similar suit, perhaps just a bit faster. It's another high point in a very good record. And that's only about half of the songs right there. Trust me, the other six are every bit as good, if not better. There isn't a single low point or boring track on 'Warkult'.

There's a little bit of something for just about any fan of this band, it's fresh enough for the new fans, and brutal enough for the old fans who are accustomed to the sound of albums like 'Retribution'. Equal parts Death and Thrash here, but it's 100% Death Metal. With so many older acts just now crawling out of the woodwork trying to cash in on their back catalog, it's extremely refreshing to see a band who have been around this long are still capable of producing relevant enjoyable Metal. This one's highly recommended, and needs to be played on a stereo with some balls to truly apreciate the power of these songs.

April 20th, 2005