Malevolent Creation - Invidious Dominion

Release Date: August 24th, 2010
Label: Nuclear Blast Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  United Hate
2.  Conflict Finalized
3.  Slaughterhouse
4.  Compulsive Face Breaker
5.  Lead Spitter
6.  Target Rich Envrionment
7.  Antagonized
8.  Born Again Hard
9.  Corruptor
10.  Invidious Dominion

Total playing time:  35:21

August 16, 2010

Reviewer: Jesse

It’s amazing that in 2010, the majority of the stalwart bands that made up the 90s death metal scene are still going strong more than twenty years later.  Not just the Florida bands, but the Swedes as well.  The bands that started that iconic movement just refuse to throw in the towel and Malevolent Creation has shown again that they’re more than capable of pulling their own weight.  It’s even more of an accomplishment for them considering everything they’ve been through and the litany of lineup changes they’ve dealt with.  However they do it, they’re still doing their part in keeping that flag flying.

Invidious Dominion is their eleventh album and while it’s natural and understandable to lose a few steps after all these years, this album is still extremely aggressive and full of riffs.  I don’t think anyone looks to bands in Malevolent Creation’s position to surpass or even recreate past glories, but they expect a certain amount of conviction when writing new material and Invidious Dominion is no slouch in that department.  Brett Hoffman’s vocals are still as strong as ever and honestly, I’m a little surprised at how good he sounds on this album.  Never the typical growler, his throaty style seems like it wouldn’t have a very long shelf-life, but he’s still in form all these years later.  Even with the changes in vocals over the years, the real revolving door has been on drums in which Gus Rios has taken that responsibility and performs solidly.

As the follow-up album to Doomsday X, Invidious Dominion delivers to a certain degree, but it’s not quite as memorable.  For starters, this album is a good fifteen minutes shorter, giving it an assaulting persona which is easily digestable in a shorter timeframe.  It comes out blistering and bludgeoning and ends quickly as to never bore.  I think this is a very important aspect that many bands can learn from.  The three cornerstone tracks on Invidious Dominion are “Slaughterhouse,” “Invidious Dominion” and “Target Rich Environment” which are all very memorable and catchy.  The title track is especially great as it combines the speed and catchy riffs.  It really does sum up the whole album and is a perfect closer.  Around those songs are quick bursts of aggression in the form of “United Hate,” ”Conflict Finalized,” “Antagonized” and so on.  The song placement was perfectly done.  Just when the frenzied pace starts to become a little repetitive, one of the aforementioned staple-songs comes around and levels out the momentum.  This album is actually quite different from Doomsday X what with that album’s slower segments and overall length forming its personality.

One thing that’s always sort of stuck with me about Malevolent Creation is that they seem to usually have fuzzy production.  Not terrible or unlistenable by any means, but something a tad off.  Maybe it’s just me and it does add to their charm.

Invidious Dominion is the fastball coming right over the plate.  It’s brisk and assailing and one of Malevolent Creation’s more energetic albums, certainly compared to the past few albums anyway.  I’m not sure if it will be one of the best death metal albums of the year, but fans will not be let down and it’s a worthy addition to their discography.

*By clicking "Submit" you agree to the following Terms of Use. You agree not to post any material that is obscene, slanderous, or threatening, or that may violate any law of your country of origin or the United States or of international law. Should you wish to restrict viewing of your email address by third parties, you must select "Hide My Email." You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Metal Psalter from any claims, actions, suits, damages, or other costs arising out of any breach of these Terms of Use.

*Comments: