![]() And, they should also be placed alongside Annihilator, Savage Steel, and Disciples of Power as one of the first acts to try something more complex and engaging thus carving a path which would be trodden far and wide by numerous progressive-inclined practitioners through the following decades. It’s a crying shame that Malhavoc aren’t mentioned right beside Sacrifice, Slaughter and Infernal Majesty as one of the progenitors of the death metal movement in Canada. This is no masterpiece, but it has its place. I can't think of anything else that sounds quite like this, and Malhavoc never returned to this style again. Those who like odd, occult-sounding records from the metal crypt will want to hear it too. Anyone who likes thrash riffing will find plenty to enjoy here. "Shrine" is a fascinating record, and one that is worth a listen because of its strangeness. The vocals don't limit the record as much as the drumming, but they will probably be the first obstacle for anyone hearing this for the first time. It is an interesting approach that sounds menacing at times. These vocals are more abstract and bizarre than Royce's, but they are on the same spectrum. The closest comparison might be with Ron Royce from Coroner (whose second album "Punishment for Decadence" came out at a similar time). ![]() There is none of the usual growling or shrieking or shouting. These are some of the strangest I've ever heard half rasp, half whisper. The vocals are the thing that everyone will notice. Amateurish percussion can sound great in 80s metal, but it impedes Malhavoc's technical, riff-driven thrashing and imposes a ceiling on the record. The band also falls out of time on occasion (such as the intro of "Urbain Grandier"). There is a lack of dynamism and looseness, and the fills don't flow from the riff transitions (e.g., the fast section in "Attack from the Sepulcher"). It would suit a band with a more ramshackle sound (like the Brazillian death/thrash bands from the era). The drumming is passable, it is powerful and the guy hits hard. Unfortunately, drumming is just as important as riffing. If metal was all about riffs, then Malhavoc would be up there with the best. The pace is quick (aside from a few Sabbath-esque slow parts), the playing is tight and the compositions have some melodramatic aspects that bring Mefisto to mind. The biggest influence is Slayer ("Hell Awaits"-era), and these songs take the same non-linear riff maze format that was evident on old Slayer songs like "Hardening of the Arteries". Malhavoc have lots of them and they segue them from one to another with effortless craft. The best thing about this record is the riffs. Several of these songs originally appeared on the "Age of the Dark Renaissance" demo from two years prior, making it contemporary with what bands like Dark Angel and Necrodeath were doing. ![]() ![]() This is pure thrash from the golden age of the genre, and with a dark occult vibe. This early record is officially listed as an EP, but it is 35 minutes long and should qualify as the band's debut album. They were best known for releasing some off-kilter industrial metal with bondage themes before such things were de rigueur.
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