REVIEW: Malevolence - Where Only The Truth Is Spoken

Sheffield’s own metalcore heroes Malevolence return with their fourth LP, ‘Where Only The Truth Is Spoken’. A blistering new release packed with insane riffs, massive anthems, and a wild guest feature we’ll get to shortly.

Formed in 2010, Malevolence’s unique blend of beatdown, hardcore, and metal has garnered a horde of fans across a multitude of alternative genres. Assisted, of course, by their incredible festival slots, including Download, Bloodstock, and Australia’s Invasion Festival.

With praise from genre titans like Lamb Of God’s Randy Blythe and a touring résumé that includes Knocked Loose, Kublai Khan, and Jesus Piece, the Sheffield five-piece have long since outgrown their underground roots.

‘Where Only The Truth Is Spoken’, released via MLVLTD and Nuclear Blast, was recorded at the legendary Studio 606 in California—owned by none other than Dave Grohl. The record is the band’s most polished and refined to date, featuring incredible production from Grammy-winning producer Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God, Gojira, Trivium). And, speaking of Lamb of God, those with keen ears are sure to recognise the unmistakable voice of Randy Blythe featuring on ‘In Spite’—a generational summit of metallic fury that hits like a hammer.

This album is an undeniably powerful chapter in the Malevolence story. Their signature fusion of metallic hardcore is elevated by a newfound confidence and technical precision. Yet, for all its polish, the emotional core remains raw and honest.

Lyrically, this release focuses on themes of loyalty, honesty, and integrity. These are principles the band have lived by since their formation. They’re the core values in each member's life, not simply thematic tools for the record. As the band themselves put it, the record is an unfiltered expression of the struggles, victories, and unshakable brotherhood that have carried them this far.

And what an opening statement “Blood to the Leech” makes—urgent, aggressive, and utterly unrelenting. From there, the album rarely lets up, delivering track after track of sure-fire future metalcore classics.

Malevolence have always been a band who understand the power of contrast, pairing skull-crushing breakdowns with surprisingly melodic passages and introspective lyrics. 'Where Only The Truth Is Spoken' strikes that perfect balance, offering soaring choruses that never feel out of place next to the chaos.

Instrumentally, the band fires on all cylinders. Guitarists Josh Baines and Konan Hall lay down some of their tightest, most inventive work to date. At the same time, drummer Charlie Thorpe’s performance is nothing short of punishing. Bassist Wilkie Robinson provides the low-end heft that anchors the record’s dense sound, allowing every breakdown to hit with seismic force.

Credit: Ramsay Ramone

In a time when heavy music often leans on nostalgia or recycled formulas, 'Where Only The Truth Is Spoken' feels like a genuine evolution, not just for Malevolence, but for modern metalcore as a whole. There's a strong resurgence of the metalcore and metallic hardcore sound of the '90s lately, which we love. Yet it's incredibly refreshing to see bands like Malevolence take the genre in new directions. It doesn’t chase trends or dilute its message. Instead, it refines everything the band has always stood for and delivers it with renewed purpose.

This isn’t just an excellent record—it’s a defining moment for Malevolence. With 'Where Only The Truth Is Spoken', they haven’t just raised the bar for themselves. They’ve raised it for everyone else in the game as well.

Rating: 7/10

Words: Andrew Nile