Established as one of the biggest hardcore bands in the UK scene, Malevolence are most associated with monstrously heavy soundscapes, unflinching commentary on social themes, and their manic live shows. On new track ‘Silhouette’ they’ve gone for an out-of-character style of power ballad, laden with passionate melodic hooks and introspective lyrics. They released it without warning today as an early Valentine’s present for fans.
Formed in Sheffield in 2010, Malevolence’s music has been best described as “beatdown hardcore”, a variant of hardcore punk that puts emphasis on sludgy breakdowns and aggressive vocals, as well as using thrash metal riffs and drum beats. Their sound is incredibly potent, switching from high-tempo headbanging sections to pounding grooves in an instant. Naturally this has led to their live atmosphere becoming one of overwhelming intensity, captivating fans around the world.
A big part of their charm is in their image and how they present life in the North of England through their music videos. Malevolence have always avoided clichés from either hardcore punk or heavy metal culture, and to the naked eye they do not exude any typical rock-star swagger. Music videos like that of title track ‘Self Supremacy’ from their 2017 second album has all the façade of a drill rap video, with the band donning trendy sportswear instead of dressing like stereotypical metalheads. Many of their other promos show them doing what they do best – starting moshpits and raising the roof. There is a deep humility to the members, implying that no matter how far their careers have taken them, they’re still just five friends from South Yorkshire.
In the past they have dabbled with lighter songwriting styles, like with ‘Higher Place’ on 2022’s ‘Malicious Intent’ or last year’s ‘Salt The Wound’ taken from ‘Where Only The Truth Is Spoken’. In general, their experiments with their softer side have always still tended towards their usual sound eventually. Not so with ‘Silhouette’, which made its debut today, the band issuing it with the message “FOR VALENTINE’S DAY, ‘SILHOUETTE’ OUT NOW.”
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While it is still crushingly heavy and features harsh vocals, chunky riffs and a guitar solo, there is a mature, mournful sound to the ballad which the band has never fully tapped into before. Guitarist and vocalist Konan Hall’s trademark low roar is transformed into a beautifully melancholic singing voice, bellowing lyrics that grapple with raw emotions and a sense of a love lost.
In a post on his personal Instagram account, drummer Charlie Thorpe writes “We sat on this one two albums ago just unsure what to do with it so here you go – another diverse extension of what Malevo is capable of. Gone full soft and mega proud of it.” Further in the piece he jokes about it dissuading fans of their standard style, saying “it’s ok to just enjoy some broken hearted dad metal for a bit.”
While this is unlikely to become a new template for their fierce brand of crossover music, the “broken hearted dad metal” is certainly enjoyable while it lasts. ‘Silhouette’ released this morning through the band’s own record label MLVLTD Music, and is now available on streaming platforms. Next up for Malevolence is a blockbuster North America tour with fellow British hardcore trendsetters Guilt Trip kicking off this March and running through April. Following that they’ll be making appearances on home soil in Hatfield and Leeds for Slam Dunk Festival 2026 this May.
