When discussing the modern wave of British hardcore and metal, Sheffield’s MALEVOLENCE stand at the absolute forefront with pure, unadulterated dominance. Since forming in 2010, they have accomplished what very few bands manage: fusing the bone-crushing breakdowns of beatdown hardcore with heavy Southern groove, all wrapped in razor-sharp thrash and groove-metal riffing. The result is a lethal hybrid that holds nothing back and turns any stage into a warzone.
While their debut Reign of Suffering (2013) and follow-up Self Supremacy (2017) established their ruthless underground fury, the breakthrough record Malicious Intent (2022) and the acclaimed The Other Side EP revealed a broader, even more lethal spectrum. The guitar duo of Josh Baines and Konan Hall churns out heavy-duty riffs boasting immense sonic weight, seamlessly blending crushing rhythms with fiery leads reminiscent of Pantera or Crowbar. Frontman Alex Taylor controls the crowd with ferocious vocal versatility—shifting effortlessly between barking hardcore shouts, gritty growls, and raw, anthemic cleans. Tracks like "On Broken Glass," "Keep Your Distance" (featuring Bryan Garris of Knocked Loose), and the massive "Serpents Chokehold" are tailor-made for live destruction. MALEVOLENCE bring no pretension to the stage; just pure energy, sweat, brotherhood, and riffs built to test your neck muscles.
