Requiem for the Inexorable

Not only did Malebolgia take their name from Dante’s ‘Inferno’ section of ‘The Divine Comedy’ (the Malebolge being the name of the 8th circle of hell) but Malebolgia was also the name of one of the lords of hell in the Spawn Comic book series. Starting out in 2000, the band had released demos, an EP and a split album throughout the years up until the present day, when they’ve now finally released ‘Requiem for the Inexorable’ – their debut full length album.

Over the past few years, Comatose Music has become renowned for being a hotbed for quality brutal death metal. Much like Unique Leader records, the bands on the label are fierce, unruly and hateful to the nth degree – and Malebolgia are no exception. Beginning as they mean to go on, from the opening track they destroy their instruments in a level of controlled chaos that brings to mind the likes of Hate Eternal, early Cryptopsy and Deeds of Flesh in equal measures. So while this contains as much pummelling blast beat drumming, churning and squealing guitars rending flesh at 10 paces, and vocals that could make an elephant run for cover as you can handle, it’s a lot more than that too. Much like the aforementioned early Cryptopsy, amongst the carnage, Malebolgia have actually managed to compose actual ‘songs’ which manage to be recognisable within a few spins, adding considerably to the bands status in the brutal death metal genre.

So this isn’t just a group of technically gifted musicians trying to outdo the ones that came before them (as many seem to be these days - c’mon guys, it’s not a pissing contest after all). Whilst there is blinding speeds, crushing rhythms and discordant blasting, it’s all been pieced together with expert precision for the good of the actual song it’s used in – making for a great album. It could’ve done without the dubious final bonus track however, ‘Cock Rocking Fever’, which is all too shockingly... Cock Rock for its own good. Please guys, keep it BRUTAL and leave the joke songs for the outtakes!

Originally written for www.metalteamuk.net