I’ll spare you the history lesson, because you’re no doubt going to see it included in any recent Malevolent Creation review you read. So allow me to begin by saying that Invidious Dominion is a throat-stompingly mean album from start to finish, one that’s on par with previous Malevolent Creation output, though maybe not quite as (for lack of a better word) flashy as Doomsday X. What it lacks in flair, however, it more than makes up for in intensity, which is exactly what one would expect from Malevolent Creation.
Blatantly obvious from the get-go is the unrelenting anger coursing through Invidious Dominion. From the vomit-raw vocals of Brett Hoffmann, to Phil Fasciana and Gio Geraca’s sickeningly evil riffs, to the constant earhole-blasting of Gus Rios, the malevolence (pun intended) is palpable. Also helping in this department is the clear yet not overdone production courtesy of Erik Rutan. As mentioned before, Invidious Dominion may not be quite as big-sounding as its predecessor, but it’s got just the right level of semi-shrouded clarity needed for a release of this nature.
While it would be possible to take up an entire page delving into the details of each track, it would also be a huge pain in the ass, and tedious to read. So let’s stick with the highlights. After a short intro, “United Hate” kicks the door in, giving listeners a taste of the new(ish) Malevolent Creation crew. With low, grinding riffs and merciless drumming, it sets the pace for the rest of the album. “Slaughterhouse” is a fucking barnburner, complete with sick death-groove and a chorus section worthy of endless haircopters. “Compulsive Face Breaker” needs to be mentioned simply for its brilliant name. Then there’s also “Target Rich Environment” and “Corruptor,” both of which rip and do the band’s name justice.
Malevolent Creation have shown that they can stick to their guns and still whoop your ass with every release they’ve had in the past 10 years, Invidious Dominion included. This isn’t an album for your metalcore-loving girlfriend (unless you’re trying to convert her, and in that case, fucking go for it), and it certainly isn’t for the weak-willed — this is unadulterated, unfiltered evil in musical form, coming from a band that hasn’t always had the same members, but has (essentially) had the same logo for the past 20 years, and has always had the will to kill.
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Wow. I have to disagree. The riffs all over this album are about as simple and boring as they come, and in regard to MC’s back catalog this is easily the most “vanilla” record they’ve ever done. Seriously, it’s like they’ve dumbed down their riffs to be as yawn-inducing as possible. Oh, and the Erik Rutan production – that got me excited. Again, major letdown. This is definitely the poorest production I’ve heard from Mana Studios (I will give credit that it does have a raw edge to the sound, making it sound more “live” and in your face) – it’s just really flat sounding especially playing this side-by-side with Cannibal Corpse or other recent recordings from there. The album artwork is pretty bad ass I’ll say. Overall, this record would be pretty killer for a new band’s debut, as it’s just no-frills deathmetal with some nice speed to it, and I’m maybe I’m being a little hard on them, but for Malevolent Creation the bar/expectations have to be raised higher in context of their previous ass-kicking albums.
on Oct 6th, 2010 at 10:57this record is zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz- good review tho
on Oct 6th, 2010 at 11:37I agree with the above posts… I was expecting to be blown away by this album but they could have upped the intensity (brutality if you want to use that word) big tim and put out something killer. The new Hour of Penance and Decrepit Birth run circles around this.
on Oct 7th, 2010 at 20:48big ‘time’… sorry.
on Oct 7th, 2010 at 20:48yep, i agree with the folks ^^^
on Oct 9th, 2010 at 12:29Killer album.
on Oct 9th, 2010 at 12:46Nowhere near as good as their first 2. Retribution cannot be topped.
on Oct 19th, 2010 at 12:29