It’s been three long years since Malicious Intent bulldozed its way into the metal world and put Malevolence right where they belong, at the top of the food chain. That album, paired with their relentless touring, festival takeovers, and undeniable work ethic, didn’t just turn heads; it cemented their legacy. But just in case there were any lingering doubters left, their latest record, Where Only The Truth Is Spoken, puts all questions to rest. This is a band operating at full power. Eleven tracks. Forty minutes. Zero mercy.
Malevolence – Where Only The Truth Is Spoken Review
This album isn’t just good. It’s essential. From the opening riff to the final crushing breakdown, Where Only The Truth Is Spoken proves that Malevolence are in a league of their own. The riffs are meatier. The drums hit harder. The vocals are feral. And let’s not forget the guest spot from none other than Randy Blythe of Lamb of God, an appearance that fits like a clenched fist. There’s no filler here. No weak spots. Just a band that knows exactly who they are and what they’re here to do. And what they’re here to do is dominate.
Setting the Tone – ‘Blood To The Leech’ and ‘Trenches’
From the very first seconds of Blood To The Leech, you know what you’re in for. There’s no warm-up. No gentle easing in. Malevolence hit the gas immediately, dropping you straight into a wall of chugging riffs, rapid-fire drums, and Alex Taylor’s signature snarls. It’s a statement of intent. This is what Malevolence do, and they’re doing it better than ever. The lyrical reference to the album title near the end of the track gives it weight and purpose, setting the tone for everything that follows.
Then comes Trenches, a track that hits like a sledgehammer to the ribs. It’s fast, it’s grimy, and it sounds like it was written specifically to destroy live crowds. This is where you can really feel how tight the band has become. Every beat, every riff, every growl is perfectly placed. The energy? Off the charts.
Versatility and Surprises – ‘Salt The Wound’ Stands Tall
One of the album’s biggest surprises comes with Salt The Wound, a song that shows off Malevolence’s softer, more melodic side, without losing their trademark weight. It opens with an acoustic guitar and stunning clean vocals from Taylor, a curveball that immediately grabs your attention. There’s a haunting calmness to the intro that draws you in, before the song slams back into classic Malevolence territory. The clean-to-scream transition is flawless. It’s a clever move showing how much the band has grown. They’re not afraid to take risks, and it works when they do. Oh, and the breakdown? Nasty in the best way. A real highlight.
Pure Chaos – ‘So Help Me God’ and the Hardcore Spirit
If you’ve got any energy left by the time you reach So Help Me God, prepare to lose it. This one is pure chaos. A relentless, raging track with hardcore DNA pulsing through every bar. Charlie Thorpe absolutely owns this one behind the kit. His drumming is wild, fast, and completely unhinged, in the best way possible. This is the kind of song that turns a crowd into a battlefield. Two-stepping, stage dives, spin kicks, circle pits, you name it, this song demands it. And just when you think it can’t go any harder, that guitar solo hits. Unhinged brilliance. You can already picture it bringing the house down on tour.
A Thunderous Farewell – ‘With Dirt From My Grave’
A lot of bands choose to wind things down with their final track. Malevolence do the opposite. With Dirt From My Grave kicks in with an explosive drum intro, like a bomb going off in your headphones. And instead of a slow fade or gentle outro, they go full-throttle to the very end. It’s one of the fastest, most unrelenting songs on the album, and that’s saying something. The breakdown is ruthless, the energy untamed. It’s the perfect way to close out the record, proving once again that this band doesn’t do anything halfway. Malevolence go out swinging.
A Cohesive, Confident Statement
What really ties Where Only The Truth Is Spoken together is how cohesive it feels. The transitions between tracks are seamless, giving the album a real sense of flow. Nothing feels out of place. Nothing feels rushed. Every song adds to the story, and the pacing is spot-on. The band’s versatility is on full display, but rather than feeling like they’re trying to tick boxes, it all feels natural. They’ve mastered their sound and now they’re just flexing. Effortlessly.
And yet, there’s still an unpredictability that keeps you locked in. Malevolence might be laser-focused, but they’re never formulaic. You never quite know where a track is going next, which makes it so exciting. Whether it’s a melodic hook, a face-melting solo, or a thunderous breakdown, every song delivers something memorable.
Final Thoughts – Malevolence Are Untouchable Right Now
Where Only The Truth Is Spoken had me hooked from the very first riff and held me all the way through. It’s a powerful, dynamic record that captures everything that makes Malevolence one of the most vital bands in metal today. Heavy, thoughtful, unpredictable, it’s everything a modern metal album should be.
Malevolence are no longer a rising force. They’ve arrived. They’ve carved out their place in the scene and built something unshakable. Every release gets sharper, every tour gets bigger, and this album proves that they’re not just keeping up, they’re leading the charge.
With Where Only The Truth Is Spoken, they’ve raised the bar once again. And if this is what they sound like now, the future’s only going to get louder, faster, and even more unstoppable. If you’re not already paying attention, now’s the time. Because Malevolence? They’re not just part of the scene anymore. They are the scene.
Rating – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
