Malist is still going strong.
Founded in Russia, then relocated to the Czech Republic, the one-man band created by Ovfrost (all instruments/vocals, Bewailer) formed in 2017 unveils six years later its fifth album, Of Scorched Earth, on Avantgarde Music.
The musician is accompanied by Vladimir Fomenko on drums, Neinzge on synthesizers and Flammarius (Bewailer) on narration.
The Lone and Level Sands immediately kicks off with cold impressive riffs, quickly joined by visceral vocal parts. Scathing leads skilfully blend with orchestrations to distill their melodies through raw rhythm and misty screams, but a more soothing break lifts the mood before saturation resurfaces to shroud us once more in its mysterious sounds before giving way to Ode to the Night. The composition immediately returns to dark dissonant tones, but remains relatively gentle, especially with its enchanting final which transports us after a few growls to The Ship, a track accompanied by waves at first. Darkness suddenly invades the peaceful lullaby, giving it its more aggressive influences while keeping its bewitching melodies, even during the choruses where vocals are much more present. Guitars once again cast their spell on Wind of Change, Carry Me, where the infernal tapping is already in full swing before the rhythm section arrives, giving it a frantic pace broken up by the clean sound before starting up again and coupling the two worlds to support the track’s contrasting personality, followed by Rotting into Primal and its almost joyful introduction. But any trace of mirth is obviously erased by an epic rhythm that draws on vivid Pagan influences as well as more haunting parts, before releasing the frantic leads or a few words, then surrendering to majestic slowness, which is disturbed by Clad in Black and Gold’s melancholy. Drums gradually build up the pressure, then rage finally expresses itself, followed by a new part of quietude before it returns to accompany us on the album’s final moments.
Malist‘s recipe is easy: combine intense and incredibly dark parts with simple unexpected sweetness. Of Scorched Earth remains a seizing, heady and above all perfectly paced album that requires several listens to fully grasp its essence.
85/100