Sound Check: Malevolence - Trust the Process

Whether it’s the punk rock ethos of the Sex Pistols and The Clash or the face-melting riffs of Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, the U.K. has always been a breeding ground for genre-defining rock ‘n’ roll. For decades, England’s reputation for creative anarchy and musical innovation has made hardcore rock one of the country’s most prevalent cultural exports. This rich musical heritage of Great Britain flows through the veins of the five-piece metalcore outfit Malevolence.

"England has a lot of musical history, so there’s a lot of artists that we are influenced by," said front man Alex Taylor. Since forming in South Yorkshire in 2010, the band has carried out the tradition of the U.K.’s diverse musical lineage, as they marry punk rock’s no-fucks-given attitude with the grueling sonics of metal to create a sound that is uniquely their own. 

Malevolence found their genesis in hole-in-the-wall clubs and small venues, earning a reputation for their gnarly live shows. "We put on for our scene, and we ride for it," he said. The band’s commitment to their underground roots has garnered them a loyal cult fan base and credibility in the core metal community. “The whole northern metal scene is experiencing a really big wave right now. We are sort of at the forefront for real metal in the U.K., and it makes me proud to be where we come from.”

Recording their fourth studio album in Los Angeles marks a new chapter for the band. The decision to record in L.A. was driven by a desire to explore new sonic territories as they team up with legendary metal and punk rock producer Josh Wilbur.

"This album has been a lot more fun to record than previous records because we’ve gotten to work at our own pace," said Taylor. Without the pressure of delivering on a debut album or overcoming the sophomore slump, the band feels more relaxed and confident than ever as they craft their fourth full-length effort. "There hasn’t been any pressure of our second album having to beat our first album," he said. This freedom has allowed them to experiment more with their sound. “I wanted to try new things, try different layers, and just experiment a bit. I never want to come off as a one-trick pony.”

The band’s creative process often begins with a traditional jam session, the band riffing off each other until landing on a fully fledged-out idea, delivering their signature bloodthirsty mosh pit anthems. 

"My favorite songs on this record started off with riffs I didn’t like at first. As those riffs turned into full songs and we added other elements, these songs started to develop into proper hits. You’ve got to trust the process," said Taylor. 

Malevolence's deep reverence for the musical traditions that shaped them places them in the forefront of the contemporary metal scene. As they prepare for the release of their fourth studio album, the metalcore bad boys continue to act as the torchbearers of South Yorkshire and their loyal heavy metal community.