Malamorte was formed as a side-project of musical mastermind Alex Nunziati, who has been with other bands such as Nailed God, Cain and Shadowreign, to name a few. They released their debut album back in 2014, and now a couple years down the line, they’re back with their new album, Devilish Illusions. This is an album that is expressive and beautifully written, with every small detail thought out from the placement of guitar solos and drum patterns, to the sound effects placed in some of the tracks.
The album starts off with ‘Maleficium I’ which is an intro filled with electronic medleys of music that kick-start the second track. ‘Devilish Illusions’ follows through with raw vocals and hard-hitting drums, a track that is filled with fast and catchy riffs. Throughout the track dark and heavier melodies replace the faster ones to create a more “doom” sound while managing to keep the black metal sound through the vocals. A track that is heavy and raw with dark atmosphere surrounding it, and fuelled by the drums from the get-go in an explosively energetic piece of music.
‘Pactum’ is the third track on the album. Slow heavy riffs meet with fast drums and as the track progresses, slower and heavier riffs continue through instrumentals creating a track of depth and rawness which is powered through a Hellish vocal style.
Following ‘Pactum’ the fourth track ‘Dark Clouds on Golgotha’ is another catchy track on the album filled with fast riffs, thunderous drums and with dark vocals and even darker lyrics. It is a track filled with melodies from the guitars that are both heavy and beautifully written. The track ends with the placement of thunderstorm sound effects to create a dark and heavy atmosphere that helps express the track in all of its dark beauty.
‘Maleficium II’ is an instrumental track that uses a xylophone, and gives an interesting introduction to ‘Possession.’ ‘Possession’ itself is a powerful and dark track where a heavy battery meets raw and dark voices. A track that sounds heavier and darker due to the build-up from ‘Maleficium II’ with catchy lyrics, that has been beautifully executed. It also has changes in the tempo of the guitars, and at some points the vocals are not more than mere whispers, giving the track a very unique feel, one completed with the addition of church bell sound effects at the end.
‘Malamorte’ is the seventh track on the album and has more of a symphonic sound to it, mixed with the sound of a piano, and vocals that make the track almost sound demonic. Heavy vocals soon take over with the piano melody continuing throughout. It is another track on the album that is easy to fall in love with that again is both catchy with a raw sound.
‘Devoted to Self-Destruction’ again is another instrumental track with more of a thrash metal sound to it. ‘Lucifer’s Rebellion’ follows in a dark and heavy melody of riffs. Another beautifully written track that has been pulled off in spectacular fashion by the band. The album ends in a mysterious way with a symphonic way is ‘Maleficium III’.
A beautiful album that has so much to give, where heavy metal meets the sound of something much more raw and heavy in perfect collaboration. An excellent album.
