REVIEW: MALEVOLENT CREATION – Invidious Dominion

 

MALEVOLENT CREATION – Invidious Dominion

Nuclear Blast Records

In the realm of death metal, a successful release typically strikes a balance in length and intensity, delivering memorable riffs alongside relentless energy. Invidious Dominion falls short in this regard, primarily due to its brevity and the overall execution. With only 11 tracks, the album feels somewhat underdeveloped; the brevity hampers the ability to fully appreciate the guitar work, which is often obscured by relentless blast beats. While the album exudes intensity, it suffers from a lack of variation and musical depth.

The guitar work features frequent tremolo picking, but the riffs lack the staying power or catchiness that could elevate the material. The album maintains a high level of aggression and energy, but the musical content does not offer much that is novel or particularly engaging. There is a noticeable predominance of vocals—specifically Bret Hoffman's characteristic hoarse delivery and aggressive lyrical themes—which dominate the soundscape, leaving the instrumentation somewhat in the background.

Lyrically, the focus is on themes of death, war, hatred, and violence—topics that align with the band’s established style. However, the lyrics are straightforward and lack complexity, which diminishes their impact. The vocal delivery complements the riffs but does not introduce any notable variation, resulting in a monotonous vocal presence throughout the album.

From a musical perspective, the lead guitar work is minimal and uninspired, lacking the finesse or memorable melodies that could have added depth to the album. The riffs, while technically fast and intense, do not stand out or leave a lasting impression. The album’s 35-minute duration is adequate, but it feels more like a collection of similar ideas rather than a cohesive, evolving work.

It’s worth noting that Invidious Dominion adheres to the band’s established style, which is a positive aspect for longtime fans. However, the album’s main shortcoming lies in its limited length and the absence of innovative or standout riffs. The band might have benefited from additional time in the songwriting process to craft more compelling and memorable musical moments.

In summary, Invidious Dominion is not a boring listen, but it lacks the musical complexity and originality that could have elevated it beyond a mere display of aggression. Fans seeking classic Malevolent Creation releases should consider revisiting their earlier work, where the band’s songwriting and riffing were more distinctive. For those interested in a straightforward death metal experience, this album delivers energy but falls short of leaving a lasting impression.

Ryan  "Death8699"  Fanucchi