Malkavian - The Worshipping Mass

Malkavian really began to matter on the Nantes’ Metal scene in 2008. Finding its identity over time and concerts, the band developed a Metal allying the energy of Thrash Metal to the technique and heaviness of Death Metal, with a groovy approach of the music. A 7-tracks EP (November Ends) was released in May, 2009, and allowed the band to play live with Klone, Misanthrope, The Four Horsemen, Kathaarsys or Jumping Jack and to play in several western cities of France such as Bordeaux, Brest, Angoulême, Le Mans, etc. At the end of 2010, the band changed its line-up and after several trials, MALKAVIAN was finally ready to hit the road again, starting with the Motocultor Festival in August 2011. The quintet opened for Suicide Silence in July 2012 in Nantes. 2013 is the year of the first album: MALKAVIAN entered the Brown Bear Recording Studio to record "The Worshipping Mass", which was released in February 2014, just preceded by the first video clip of the band on "Ultimatum". Get ready for the Power Thrash rush!

The Dust
With deep resonating tones the first track ploughs into view and immediately grabs the bull by the horns and doesn’t let go! Its dynamics proudly showcase what is about to follow and that is a compelling tirade of thrashing madness. Great track to open on!

Ultimatum
With the senses now desensitized they can fully take on the next track that pours heaps of salt into the wound and rubs it in with relish! The harsh vocal edge drips with stratospheric proportions and eats away at your ears. The music is a display of pulverizing thrash tones that are without a doubt a quality offering.

The Worshipping Mass
Eager to hear what follows – and this is far from disappointing! The myriad of riffs soar to an enthralling level, ludicrously heavy and I feel they enjoy smashing your skull open!! By the time this one finishes I would not be surprised if it had snapped a few necks too!

I Suggest
A happy little track suggesting we all die! Thrash till death reigns supreme here! It consists mainly of a thrashing of drum beats, squally riffs and heavy vocal that congeal into a malevolent element.

Out Of Madness Pt 1
Broods with intent to savage and molest the aural as it suddenly takes off and explodes with a battering enthusiasm and I feel the band enjoyed every moment of their mouth-watering tracks with their amps cranked up to 11. This is however less thrashtastic and more along the vein of power metal although slower but definitely heavy.

Out Of Madness Pt 2
Carrying on from the above this track wavers slightly at the beginning before its face melting assault on the senses – the raspy vocals blend magnificently with the towering riffs that sprawl with aggression to a magnetic drum rolls and keeps the head nodding vigorously!

The Black Hand
With a relentless intensity this track doesn’t falter as it soars and scathes with equal devastation. Hypnotically pulverising and exacts to the ears an emotionally charged delivery that will leave the earth shaking violently beneath your feet.

“The duel-axe attack is assurance of adding further to the fluidity of the drums and harshness of bass hooks plus a dramatic swathe of vocal together are a sure fire way to break bones and crush skulls!”

The Wreckage
The heavy slabs of malicious riffs are flawless and savagely engage in an all- out frenzy with divine vocals that gnaw and scratch in equal measures. The rhythms pound like a sledgehammer to the brain and propels the track forward to assure you of a frothing of the mouth sensation!

Drag ‘Em Down
Proves 100% positive that these guys are out to kill if not maim with cruel intent as the cacophony of brutal axes keep pace to an insane drum beat.  The vocal performance is nearing annihilation and builds to immense proportions going off the rails to its crushing end.

Wolfpack
This starts off quite half-hearted although that thankfully is short-lived as in true metal form Malkavian show their true side and loom large to dissect with some sort of chest pounding initiation – the killer speed at which ensues is catastrophic dynamics style – that is no stroll in the park for sure.

The Rotten Conspiracy
The final track sees no let up from the speed edged aggression. Demented rhythms, torment and will send the listener into a state of disillusion as they are smacked around the temples to a healthy dose of execution. Madness will take you to hell but I doubt it will bring you back again!

Summary
Absolutely breath-taking inch by inch this album will infect your space and claim it as their own. There is only a brief let-up of rapaciousness to allow one to catch their breath before the final mighty assault claims hundreds of victims in one fell swoop of its unyielding lures.
The attitude, the atmospherics, the dynamics are all spot on here to give you the full work out both in mind and body and infused with the eternal flames of burning Hell they make sure you won’t survive its cataclysmic reign.
The duel-axe attack is assurance of adding further to the fluidity of the drums and harshness of bass hooks plus a dramatic swathe of vocal together are a sure fire way to break bones and crush skulls!
This album is without a doubt brutal and aggressive so there will be no loss of concentration here as you get caught up in this immense contagion of molten metal – but I am pretty sure they have only just scratched the surface! Definitely one to watch out for.


  1. The Dust
  2. Ultimatum
  3. The Worshipping Mass
  4. I Suggest
  5. Out Of Madness Pt 1
  6. Out Of Madness Pt 2
  7. The Black Hand
  8. The Wreckage
  9. Drag ‘Em Down
  10. Wolfpack
  11. The Rotten Conspiracy