LIVE FROM THE PIT: Malevolence, Speed, Dying Wish and Psycho Frame

Marking their biggest headline show at none other than the legendary O2 Academy Brixton. Malevolence bring their brand new album ‘Where Only The Truth Is Spoken’ accompanied by PSYCHO-FRAME, Dying Wish and Speed.

Starting off the night with possibly the heaviest band on the line-up, PSYCHO-FRAME took to the stage to bring their Florida Deathcore to the audience at Brixton; they absolutely did not hold back, putting their guitars in Drop D and delivering some of the cleanest pig squeals ever heard by this venue. With two heavy vocalists, they wasted absolutely no time getting the audience pumped, pits opened up, to which arms and legs began flying to the heavy and dirty riffs of PSYCHO-FRAME. The music impressed, it hit hard and the band gave it their all; for an opening act it’s always really nice to see the audience reciprocating the energy they give out, which doesn’t happen too often for opening acts, but these guys pulled it off. 

Next up came a band who’s been on our radar for a while; hailing from Portland, Oregon, Dying Wish doesn’t mess around with how much energy and finesse she gave give an audience. With elements of Melodic Metalcore and hardcore, this band also drew a massive reaction from the crowd with a bigger pit, more people jumping and even a lot of people singing along. Boster had a serious stage presence during this set, projecting their angelic voice to the back of the venue and bringing it back down to dirty, unclean vocals. Soundtracked by Sam, Pedro, Jeff and Jon's chaotic riffs, the new album 'Flesh Stays Together' was cathartic and intense, proving that they are one of the most underrated bands on the circuit.

Next up was Speed, who absolutely tore a Brixton a new one; the energy from the moment they stepped on stage was ramped up to eleven. Coming from Sydney, Australia, Speed brought a level of aggression and energy not often seen by a band, least of all by an opening act; starting with their insanely quick song, ‘DON’T NEED’, which turned the crowd upside down, the hardcore pitting came into full force here. People flew through the air for Speed as arms and legs flailed around in a frenzy. There’s not much that can be said about Speed that hasn't already been said, they are simply just incredible; their passion only rivals their pure aggression and relentlessness to delivering a kick ass show, if you have any kind of interest in heavy music or hardcore, this band has to make your bucket list; because how can you miss the chance to see some flute played in a breakdown? 

Finally, it was time for Malevolence; in an act we can only call legendary, before the band took to the stage, Alan Ford, known as Brick Top from Guy Ritchie’s film ‘Snatch’, graced Brixton with his presence as he riled up the crowd, ready for the headliner. Letting the audience know that he has seen some crazy stuff, but he’s never seen what the band were about to do; he introduced them and Malevolence took to the stage for their biggest ever sold out, headline crowd. And what an entrance, opening with ‘Blood To The Leech’ they spared no expense making sure they meant business; the set design of the stage erupted to show off their extravagant set up and was honestly worthy of an arena and that’s honestly where we see this band heading, with the resurgence of heavier music into the fray it’s easy to see why Malevolence would be at the forefront of that movement.

A set combining the best of their new album 'Where Only The Truth Is Spoken', the intense 'Malicious Intent' with the ferocity of crowdpleasers 'Self Supremacy' and 'Keep Your Distance', the Brixton pit was spun into a frenzy. Guitarist Josh Baines led by example, infusing the set with delicious solos, backed up by the ferocity of Konan Hall's raspy vocals. In moments like their ethereal 'Higher Place', both shone with immense furiosity. Still, Wilkie Robinson's deep-hitting bass pushed their set to the extreme, tempoed by Charlie Thorpe's wicked percussion. From 'Salt The Wound' to 'Still Waters Run Deep', Brixton left no survivors. This was a homecoming of immense proportions.

The set only escalated in energy from then, with Frontman Alex Taylor asking the crowd to erupt into as many circle pits as possible, and it is safe to say the crowd turned into a stormy sea filled with whirlpools that made any passive audience member be sucked into the chaos of the set.  This show felt like a real stepping stone and just an inkling into what Malevolence have planned next. They’ll go bigger, they’ll go harder, and they’re going to rule heavy music for many years to come.  

Words and Photos: Ben Blisset