Review : MALEFICE – “Dawn of Reprisal”

Malefice – “Dawn of Reprisal”
Released March 3, 2009 on Metal Blade

The term metalcore has grown to have so many negative connotations it isn’t even funny, and this album doesn’t help. Sure, Malefice is not purebred metalcore (there’s quite a bit of In Flames worship in there), but they certainly show lots of it in their music. For the first few songs, I was very impressed. Track 1 has some of the coolest triplet usage I have heard. 2 and 3, despite sounding very similar, also kick ass. However, it’s really just a downhill spiral from there. Lots of the same riffs and drums all the way through. Other than the occasional growl or clean passage, the vocals also stay monotonous the whole time, being essentially a hybrid between hardcore barks, black metal screams, and death growling. Only the most dedicated metalcore and melodeath fans will really like this album. Not recommended otherwise.

P.S. How many songs have Retribution in their name?

FCC: 7, 8
Try 1, 3

01. The Midas Effect
02. Abandon Hope
03. An Architect of Your Demise
04. End of Days
05. Human Portrait
06. As I Bleed
07. When Embers Ignite
08. Retribution
09. Hatred Justified
10. Sickened

Rating: