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.

The Sheffield-based band had just released a music video for their latest single ‘Salt The Wound’, part of their upcoming album ‘Where Only The Truth Is Spoken’. The new single, released on 21 May, is a striking and harmonic blend of hard and mellow soundscapes. Its poetic lyrics describe the turmoil of leaving things unsaid: “Bite my tongue, hold my breath/Salt the wound and rip the heart from my chest.”

Speaking more about the inspiration behind the sound, frontman Alex Taylor said: “’Salt The Wound’ is the product of us making a conscious decision to bridge the two faces of Malevolence. On one hand, we have the heavy aggressive side, and on the other, we have the slower melodic songs, so we wanted a song that could combine the two.”

The video, shot around Sheffield, was intended to highlight the landscape’s natural beauty, which serves as a source of pride for the band. He adds: “From the industrial depths of Sheffield, a 900-year-old ruined Abbey, to a perfect sunrise over some of the incredible hills of Derbyshire, there is some incredible scenery in the north of the UK which we sometimes take for granted, so this song felt like the perfect opportunity to showcase some of that. From the moment I heard the guitar solo Josh had written for this song, I pictured him on a mountain top doing the solo, so we made it happen, Malev style!”

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However, not long after the music video was uploaded to YouTube, it had to be pulled due to threats of legal action made by the National Trust.

The National Trust is Europe’s largest conservation charity, which works to nurture and protect nature across the UK, from coasts to woodlands, as well as historic buildings and more.

In a statement shared to social media, Malevolence addressed the National trust: “Apparently pretending to play guitar for a couple of hours on a public path that thousands of tourists walk up every single day is a criminal offence.” The video was removed as the band didn’t have permission to film on their sites. While recording footage for personal use is generally permitted, a contract is required if the footage is intended for commercial purposes.

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Yesterday, on 10 June, the music video was anonymously reuploaded to YouTube under an account named Trust Issues.

‘Where Only The Truth Is Spoken’ releases Friday 20 June, and the tracklist goes as follows:

MALEVOLENCE – WHERE ONLY THE TRUTH IS SPOKEN

1. Blood To The Leech
2. Trenches
3. If It’s All The Same To You
4. Counterfeit
5. Salt The Wound
6. So Help Me God
7. Imperfect Picture
8. Heavens Shake
9. In Spite (ft. Randy Blythe)
10. Demonstration Of Pain
11. With Dirt From My Grave

You can pre-order the album here.

The news comes just after the Steel City rockers announced that their fourth album will be dropping on June 20. In a press release, frontman Alex Taylor shared his enthusiasm for the Malevolence tour: “We are very excited to announce the biggest headline tour of career yet,”

“It’s absolutely insane to us that we are booked in these huge, historic and legendary venues, and we need all of your support to prove to the world of metal that we are capable to smash them as a headliner.”

BIGGEST MALEV SHOWS OF ALL TIME

INSANE LINE UP COMING SOON

Tickets on sale 10am Friday
02 Priority 10am Wednesdayhttps://t.co/2cd9uM4r95 pic.twitter.com/4QnMG2VePk

— MALEVOLENCE (@MalevolenceRiff) March 24, 2025

Supporting acts are yet to be announced, but Taylor has promised fans “the sickest support bill we could possibly find, featuring some of the coolest current bands from across the world – with the goal of creating the biggest and baddest Malev show of all time.”

Malevolence recently gave a release date for their new album, ‘Where Only The Truth Is Spoken’, due to drop on June 20 via MLVLTD/Nuclear Blast. In an interview with Kerrang, the group called it a “level up in every sense – musically, lyrically and visually.”

The new album was recorded in California at Dave Grohl’s renowned Studio 606, and tracked through the legendary Neve 8079 – the same desk that produced classic records such as Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ and Fleetwod Mac’s ‘Rumours’. They also recruited Grammy-winning producer Josh Wilbur, who has worked before with bands like Lamb Of God, Gojira and Trivium.

The band have currently released one single from the album, called ‘It’s All The Same To You’. The video for it features actor Alan Ford, who’s known for his roles in films and shows such as Snatch and Eastenders.

They added: “This was our first time recording outside the UK, and doing it in LA with Josh Wilbur was fun and refreshing. He’s worked with some of the biggest names in metal, and his approach pushed us to challenge new heights. The production, the songwriting, the videos – everything about this record is bigger, heavier and more refined.

“Everything in Malevolence is, and always has been, a team effort and I feel like everyone really delivered on this record. To everyone who supports what we do, thank you. It goes without saying that we wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for your overwhelming support. I’m excited to see where the journey goes next!”

A press release promises that ‘Where Only The Truth Is Spoken” will be an anthemic, grand affair that reflects the principles of honesty, loyalty and integrity that they’ve held on to since their formation.

Malevolence are currently touring the U.S. supporting Counterparts, and will be supporting Alpha Wolf in Australia afterwards. Malevolence UK tour tickets will go on sale Friday, March 28 – you can view those here.