REVIEW: Malamutant - This Time It's Personal

Manchester's MALAMUTANT arrive with a party cannon firmly in hand, bringing together former members of underground favourites FOOTPRINTS IN THE CUSTARD and GODHAND to create something that refuses to take itself too seriously. The result is an album packed with infectious grooves, humour and hardcore energy; it packs just enough chaos to keep you grinning from start to finish. From the outset, it's clear that MALAMUTANT have no interest in writing typical hardcore songs. Instead, they turn everyday frustrations and absurd observations into riotous anthems that are just as likely to make you laugh as they are to start a pit.

As Per My Last Email is instantly relatable to anyone who's ever worked in an office, venting the frustration of having to repeat yourself over and over again. It's a sarcastic middle finger to corporate life of the usual colleagues who don’t read the first email you sent originally, wrapped in punchy riffs and plenty of attitude. My Diet Starts Monday is a reality check, taking aim at the all too familiar excuse we tell ourselves after one too many sweet treats. Musically, the song throws in a slight jazz tempo in the middle section which will get you down low for it to then kick back in to then jump up to continue going crazy in the pit; this could be a good one for the live shows.

Post-Pandemic captures the strange reality of life after COVID, blending upbeat and danceable grooves with lyrics reflecting on lockdown, anxiety, and the unexpected realisation that maybe staying at home wasn't so bad after all however now you don’t want to go out and socialise. The infused riffs give the track an infectious energy despite its surprisingly reflective subject matter. No Party pokes fun at the realities of getting older in a band. Rather than endless nights of debauchery, it's about finishing work, playing a show, and dreaming of getting into bed. Of course, whether the band actually skips the after party is another matter entirely, but the self-awareness makes it all the more enjoyable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY4QU5jcoAI

Perhaps the most ridiculous song on the record, Monster Truck celebrates exactly what its title promises. Built around a funky bass groove, laid-back guitar work, and comically low vocal delivery, it's impossible not to smile as the band enthusiastically explains just how cool monster trucks really are. And honestly, they're not wrong. The Great British Nonce Off delivers some of the album's darkest humour, taking aim at the depressing regularity with which beloved celebrities are exposed for horrific crimes. Rather than glorifying them, the song satirises the media circus surrounding these revelations by imagining them battling to become the "greatest" offender, making it abundantly clear that none deserve any praise.

Closing things out is AI Could Become Sentient in the Next Few Years, opening with a thick, meaty riff before diving headfirst into fears of artificial intelligence taking over our jobs and lives. A huge gang vocal section chanting "ROBOTS!" feels destined to become a live favourite, providing the perfect send-off to an album that's impossible to take too seriously.

MALAMUTANT have crafted an album that embraces everything fun about metal and hardcore. While many bands focus on bleak subject matter, they instead find humour in the everyday, transforming mundane situations into energetic, comedy anthems without sacrificing the crushing riffs or memorable songwriting. It's an album that's just as enjoyable blasting through your speakers as it will undoubtedly be in a sweaty venue surrounded by smiling faces. If this album is anything to go by, MALAMUTANT's live shows are going to be absolute chaos and that's exactly how it should be.

For fans of RAISED BY OWLS, EVIL SCARECROW, PARTY CANNON.

Score: 9/10

This Time It's Personal will be released on 31st July 2026.

Words: Ciara Hicks-Evans

Photos: Malamutant