Where Only The Truth Is Spoken
Artist: Malevolence
Genre: Metalcore
Record Label: MLVLTD
Release Date: 20 June 2025
Malevolence has never waited for permission; from the underground to festival main stages, they’ve built their reputation on sheer force of will, crushing live shows, and an unshakable foundation of heavy riffs and harder work.
“Where Only The Truth Is Spoken” delivers on everything Malevolence have built so far—harder riffs, bigger hooks, and an undeniable presence that has taken them from Sheffield to the world stage.
“Where Only This Truth Is Spoken” was recorded in California at Dave Grohl’s legendary Studio 606. For a band that’s always pushed forward without compromise, it was the perfect setting to carve out a record that represents everything Malevolence stands for. This album marks a new level of songwriting precision without sacrificing the band’s trademark weight.
Lyrically, Where Only The Truth Is Spoken reflects the principles that Malevolence have lived by since day one—honesty, loyalty, and integrity. These are not just themes woven into the album, but values the band holds in their personal and professional lives. This record doesn’t deal in facades or empty gestures; it’s an unfiltered expression of the struggles, victories, and unshakable brotherhood that have carried them this far.
“The story behind each song comes from lived experiences rather than just meaningless words on the page. It’s not all just about anger or aggression; there’s a lot of weight in the words across the whole album, whether that’s addressing personal struggles, the state of the world, or the highs and lows of life. It was important to me to step up on the lyrics of this album. I think you can feel that raw energy and emotion in every track, and I hope people will connect with it on a deeper level. It’s 100% my proudest work to date.” – Alex Taylor.
The album begins with the first track, “Blood From The Leach”. It starts incredibly heavy, giving us high expectations for what’s to come and introducing us to this band’s new era of hardcore. Lots is going on instrumentally at the same time-igniting all of our senses. The guitars are carrying the melody, which is accentuated by the intense drumming. Vocally- Alex lets out the biggest scream, and we’re introduced to perfectly executed lyrics delivered in his unique gravelly style, which is communicated to us consistently and powerfully. There’s anger and emotions behind the vocals as they sound out harshly and determinedly. The guitars display those classic metal riffs but with lots of hints of nuance in their original sounding style. They tell a story through the music, and the song is produced to high-quality perfection. Riffs are now becoming ever-changing and moving in different directions. Narrative wording at the end… “In gods own country- where only the truth is spoken” is recited in a Yorkshire accent, paying homage to their hometown where they’re proud to represent.
“Trenches” starts extremely heavy and catchy, and it draws us in with inventive sounds. Its vocal heaviness is intentional and paired with immediately sounding crashing guitars. It’s such an incredibly harsh offering. There’s a threatening demeanour expressed behind the words, while listening; it makes your face scrunch up with a grimace of adoration for what they’ve produced. Vocals and lyrical sentences are backed up with the force of additional ad-libbed vocals. Chanting choruses reach our souls deeply, but don’t settle as they turn into staccato wording with heavy delivery and are uniquely executed and given to us wholly. Guitar solos are incredibly fast-paced, integral and intriguing. There’s meaning behind the lyrics for us to relate to. The beat is that of marching sounds with lots of high energy delivered and so much going on at once, crafty guttural screams are coming in at verse intervals-when we least expect them, to emphasise the chaotic sound. We can’t wait to hear this live alongside the biggest mosh pit, where the song truly belongs.
“If It’s All The Same To You” starts with warped guitar strings plucked in all directions, and the biggest “bleughs” set this tone for this song. Cowbell sounds chime, and we’re into fast-paced double-time riffs. Vocals poised and strong, backing vocals emphasising it all. The vocals become more melodic and guttural, but remain gravelly, and there’s emphasis on them with ad-libbed words screamed back; cleverly timed and executed. Guitar riffs are insanely opposing and demand complete attention from the listener. You never know what’s going to come next with this song, as we are led into powerful and meaningful choruses. Alex has a huge vocal range, which is widely shown off in this song. Sliding scales and whisper narrations turn guttural towards the bridge, leading to the biggest breakdown that invites you to immediately ninja mosh. You can’t help but move along to this song while listening. The biggest “ARGHHHHS” really hit you in the soul towards the end, they’re doomful sounding and paired with downwards sliding scales.
“Counterfeit” starts with tinkling sounding guitars played menacingly, vocals come in staggered, riffs become more intentional and then the biggest screams are introduced. Purposefully timed three-stroked strings and elongated vibrational noises turn quickly into thrashing instrumentals. Intentional guitar string shudders and vibrations lead us to the biggest vocals, fried with great delicacy. Lots of instrumental cleverly placed intervals and elongated notes are played purposefully to accentuate sounds and leave us braced for integral screams. Vocals are becoming higher and come in a huge range. A mathematical verse counts down to the most impressive guitar playing that’s backed up with instrumental mash-ups. Layered and staggered vocals ignite us into the biggest screams. Chanted and softer vocals lead to insanely low guttural belting. This song is insanely clever and executed well with an unexpected ending, which leads us into…
“Salt The Wound” starts mellow and acoustic-sounding, vocals are echoing, emotive and beautifully sung, low, intense, gravelly and soft. We get to soak up the lyrics in the first verse, and this song shows the band’s musical versatility. It turns to anger and screaming for the initial chorus. Guitars are played at high frequencies, and elongated, drawn-out sounds are emotive and turn into high-speed, vastly plucked melodies. The transitions between delicate and powerful are flawless, as are the vocal fluctuations. It’s creative, unexpected and brave. The bridge is heavily executed and surprisingly turns staccato, which triggers our emotional responses well. There are so many layers and lots of depth to this song. Chanting and collaborative instruments lead us out strategically.
Into “So Help Me God”, which starts with amped frequency noises that lead to electric guitars and precision-timed drums with instruments added incrementally. Warped, vibrating and buzzing sounds are emulated from the instrumental. Vocals are harsh and embedded into the chaos well with such a unique delivery of fry screams at low frequencies. It’s the perfect music to “two-step” to. Spaces of vocal silence for the instruments to shine give us time to listen intently to the band’s talent. The band then combines instruments at unique and ideal timings. Powerful lyrics are embedded in our heads in this catchy mash-up. Isolated screaming turns into an impressive full-throttle instrumental towards the end.
“Imperfect Picture” starts methodically with well-thought-out beats and bars delivered. Swirling and sliding electric guitar scales lead to marching, timed sounds and screams. Opposing notes create an original sound. Alex’s voice sounds even stronger and more poised, with distinct melodic vocals executed precisely. High-pitched guitar sounds lead us into alternative-sounding choruses, which sound stoic. The breakdown was led in nicely, we were braced for the chaos, which is extended in this song. The breakdowns are seemingly getting progressively heavier with each track. High-pitched guitar sounds are distinct and unique, with all the right parts of the vocals emphasised by backing vocals and instruments, a warped sound leads us into the next song…
Which is “Heavens Shake”, and it begins with elongated riffs executed precisely, leading into so many sounds all at once. Vocals are delivered with intent and focus, determined to get lyrics across. The name of the track matches the sounds, it is an expressive song that shows their dedication to the meaning of what they produce. Siren sounds and backing narrations with pauses turn into intense vocals. Glittering sounds are chiming in the distance and layered deep between the low-sounding and heavy bass, guitar and drums. We’re led perfectly into the breakdown with downward guitar strumming and low bass notes. This song is all mashed up in brilliance.
“In Spite” (ft. Randy Blythe) starts with drums blazing. The biggest screams are delivered with guitars tweaked in high-pitched pitched glorified scales. The high instrumental frequencies from the guitars and low screams create the perfect musical balance. All instruments are accentuating each other nicely; each highlighted at different paces throughout the song. A wonderfully natural collaboration with everything in sync and dedicated to perfection. Both vocalists express themselves to their full extent with spiteful-themed dedication to lyrical excellence, which is amazingly executed with a healthy expression of rage. Justified lyrics highlight the need to not self-destruct with nothing held back. Choruses are sung while verses are heavily communicated with instrumentally timed perfection throughout, which is hard-hitting and rhythmically pleasing.
“Demonstration Of Pain” has the most interesting sounding instrumentals that fluctuate effortlessly between all encapsulating and isolated. The song overloads our senses in the best possible way. Lyrics are pronounced well and emotionally evoking throughout. The drum beat carries the chaos as well as grounding the song at the same time. Guitars are impressively plucked with riffs elongated. There is nothing expected about the song’s timing, the constant fluctuations keep us intently listening throughout. The breakdown is insanely heavy and makes us feel invincible while listening. The song comes to a very abrupt ending.
Which leads us to the last track on the album, “With Dirt From My Grave”, which starts with guitars fully accentuated. Unexpected vocals come in. It is the most intricately played of all the songs, but is still delivered full force. It tells a story through heavily meaningful lyrics and is consistently shocking in a good way with an air of unexpectedness. It’s very detailed and has lots of musical variations throughout. Vocals are insane, as are the guitar solos. It has a real anthem feel as they end off the album strong.
Where Only The Truth Is Spoken is a consistently surprising, fast-paced, hardcore, fearless and powerful musical creation. It is sure to become your most listened to album in no time. We’re really looking forward to seeing these songs live at Malevolence’s intimate shows next month.