There are two types of people; those who love Malevolence and those who have never listened to Malevolence. One of the hottest properties to ever emerge from the vicious UKHC scene, the innovators of “Sheffield Shred” have been making friends worldwide in the years since their modern classic ‘Reign Of Suffering’ was released. Though it was always going to be a challenge to match the levels of brutal majesty they reached on that record, with ‘Self Supremacy’ they have given it a damn good go, and in so many ways, surpassed it.

What sets Malevolence out from the rest of the rabid pack is their complete and utter disdain for boundaries. Always playing by their own rules and leaving those who doubt them in the dust, no one is safe when the band hit their belligerent best. Covering all bases with a potent combo of ignorant beatdowns and whisky-soaked hard rock riffing and holding it all together with their distinctly filthy take on metallic hardcore, this is Malevolence rewriting the rule book and transcending genres without really trying.

‘Severed Ties’, featuring a bile-soaked appearance from Andrew Neufeld of Comeback Kid fame, feels like a shovel to the back of the head while the frantic aggression of ‘Body Count’ will have even the most restrained of metal heads windmilling their way across the pit. On the other hand, the slow burning ‘4 AM On West Street’ and down tuned groove of ‘True Colours show how this lot aren’t just a load of one trick ponies.

As if there was any doubt, ‘Self Supremacy’ is another slice of ferociously excellent hardcore for the forward thinking mosher. With enough variety to keep you engaged and riffs so hard that they could shatter bone, this is Malevolence at their most cold, sneering and unapologetic. Absolutely essential listening.

4.5/5

‘Self Supremacy’ by Malevolence is released on 19th May on Beat Down Hard Wear.

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Words by Jack Rogers (@JackMRog)