Malefice
Awaken The Tides
Malefice from Reading, have released their fourth, full length album 'Awaken the Tides', it opens up with the title track, which is a very fast, pumped up number, and Dale Butler’s vocals are merciless. He is taking no prisoners with this one. Next up is 'Delirium'. For me this is the stand out track on this metal-core opus, this is, aggressive, brutal, a number which shreds your nerves, as Delirium enters your head.
'Dead in the Water' is metal-core frenzy and I could imagine it being played at many a rock club, inspiring a mosh-pit frenzy of huge proportions. 'Minutes' with deep guttural vocals, interspersed with some lighter vocals is sadly disappointing and reminds me of numerous other songs. 'Baying For Blood' kicks you in the teeth, attacking you like an angry psychopath. It is a metal maelstrom of hate filled lyrics and intensive guitar riffages.
The next three tracks did not get my attention really and were just without the wow factor I am afraid. Now this leads me up to the final track 'The Haunting', running at nine and a half minutes it was technically excellent, but bored the living daylights out of me I am afraid. By the time you get to half way through, you have to wake yourself up and check it’s the same album. Then you get a lot of 'Awoken The Tides' as a chorus and piano playing … Oh dear, yes Dale you awoke them on the opening track! This would have been a good song if they hadn't strung it out.
I have read a few reviews for this album, many slating it, to be fair though 'Awaken the Tides' is not that bad. It is anything but original, and the final part of the album isn’t great, but don’t let that detract you from giving this album a listen, as it is heavy, brutal and tuneful, especially 'Delirium'.
Review by: Seb Di Gatto
Tracklisting:
1. Awaken The Tides
2. Delirium
3. Dead In The Water
4. Minutes
5. Baying For Blood
6. Blessed Curse
7. The Day The Sky Fell
8. Outnumbered, Outgunned
9. Flood Of Red
10. The Haunting
