LIVE FROM THE PIT: Mallavora, Pave and Dye
- Amy Lynch
- 4 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Hailing from Bristol, alt-metal band MALLAVORA have come a long way in recent years. It was only fitting for their debut album What If Better Never Comes? (released March 2026) that the band revisited for a special homecoming at the Exchange Bristol to play their album in full, back in the city where they first made their mark in 2019.
Out of Rage last caught up with MALLAVORA during their high energy set supporting BANSHEE at London’s The Dome just last month, seeing them now take the stage for their own headline album release show a month later felt like a band truly coming into their own. In Bristol, that connection playing to their own crowd in their hometown was profound from the moment the first chord struck, documenting a pivotal moment in the band’s trajectory.
First up opening the night was DYE, another Bristol band who were no strangers to the energetic south west music scene, with their unrelenting sound and commanding vocals from Amy Lewis. This was something else, an emotionally raw performance that didn’t let go of the intensity, DYE wasted no time in making their presence known.
Full charged riffs filled the room with intent, songs like Rat and Dust from their Artefacts EP made the band feel formidable. DYE wasn’t here to warm up the crowd as a support, they were here to ignite it, setting the tone for what was to come for the rest of the night.
Following on from that tone was the second support PAVE who turned the flames up even further, fronted by vocalist Alanya-Jade, the band brought a fierce energy to the stage, driven by the guitarist Kevin Peate’s razor-sharp riffs that elevated the intensity. Performance wise there was a chaotic energy to the band that hyped the audience when playing fan favourites like Whatever the Cost and new single If It Hurts. These sparked huge reactions from the crowd, perfectly setting the stage for MALLAVORA’s arrival.
After two fantastic support acts, the stage was now set for the main event. Red and blue lights pulsing through the atmospheric darkness as anticipation and expectations started to rise. Cheers erupted as drummer Sam Brownlow took to the stage, growing louder as Larry Sobieraj and Ellis James appeared guitar and bass in hand, all playing the opening track Prologue. To the amazement of the audience, lead vocalist Jessica Douek made a surprise appearance, walking through the crowd with her hymn-like vocals eventually taking her place on the stage.
One of the most anticipated elements of the night was witnessing the crowd’s reaction to the album being performed in its entirety for one night only. The audience met that challenge with an energy that matched the band’s own, singing back the lyrics and swaying their hands back and forth throughout the set.
The greatest thing about What If Better Never Comes? is how its vulnerability deepens in a live setting, the album’s themes become even more apparent. It felt like a personal journey through various parts of lead singer Jessica Douek’s life and the challenges she’s faced, but it is also a narrative shared by guitarist Larry Sobieraj.
For Larry, this album represents a profound personal milestone, with the release date marking the fourth anniversary of the beginning of his battle with long COVID. These life experiences affect not only the band but also ripple outward to those in their wider community who are in similar situations.
One of these stand out moments comes from the shortest tracks on the album Break with the lyric “I guess this world just wasn’t made for bodies quite like mine” and this leading beautifully into Birth Of A Sun, here the theme continues to unfold through the powerful melodic vocals Douek is known for, at times uncompromising and visceral, backed by Larry’s heavy sharp guitar work that feels formidable alongside other band members Sam Brownlow on drums and Ellis James on bass.
Emphasising the connection with how these moments impact not just the performers on stage but those in the crowd around them. When you hear those stories sung in a room of people who feel “seen” by the lyrics. Transforming the music from a studio recording and into a collective shared act of healing and group therapy.
It is precisely for this reason MALLAVORA acknowledges accessibility issues at live shows within the disabled community and what it’s like to navigate a world that isn’t always catered for them. This event showcases that not only is it possible to dismantle the barriers of the gig experience, but to make it welcoming for all. The band does this by making sure to use wheelchair accessible venues for their headline shows, no strobe lighting in their sets, lyric sheets and free sunglasses on their merch stands. Live music is such a joyful experience that brings people of all backgrounds together, so accessibility is important, there shouldn't be a barrier for access.
MALLAVORA certainly is a band to look out for this year, check them out at Download Festival when they play on the Courtyard Stage later next month.
Words and photos: Amy Lynch
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