The first album’s time has come for Malakhim.
Since 2016, E (vocals), AN (guitar, Naglfar, Occasum, ex-Ancient Wisdom), AK (guitar), VT (drums) and TK (bass) gather in the name of Black Metal. It is time for Theion to see the light.
The Swedes have Black Metal in their blood, and this first album is a proof. Even if it is not their first release (an EP in 2019 and a live album in 2020), the five musicians offers excellent dark melodies, a majestic ambience, as well as an unholy painting of eight songs, illustrated by the australian artist Mitchell Nolte (Aborted, Abyssic, Vampire…).
There is a Beacon, the first song, immediately covers us under this dark veil composed of haunting tones, heady melodies and visceral howls that alight on a solid rhythmic. Merciless Angel of Pestilence, the next track, offers a more oppressive atmosphere and faster, more violent riffs, but still with those unhealthy and sharp sonorities. Softer and more dissonant harmonics are expected, as well as on Slither O Serpent, a track with piercing and vicious sound. Once again, violence strikes with the heavy Chalice of Ruin, of which riffs are more weighing, but also more melancholic. The atmosphere oppresses us as on the suffocating His Voiceless Whisper, a song that combines this languor with fastness, that contrasts with the crushing sound of Hammer of Satan. Drums roll upon us while fast-paced riffs take care of the dark and thick ambience. The band continues with the majestic The Splendour of Stillborn Stars, a beautiful composition that allows each instrument to make itself heard while keeping its place. The composition’s beauty is fascinating, and leads us to Theion, the last song. It also has this mystical dimension, with however some more heady riffs and those seizing melodies.
Malakhim’s strength is based into this unholy balance between dark melodies and a strong rhythm basis. Theion is a qualitative album, that stays accessible while offering rich and catchy compositions, which foreshadow a successful future for the band!
85/100