I've been following Malevich's musical journey with interest for some time and last year's rather excellent four-track EP Trembling and Dowsed (2024), cemented their place (in my eyes at least) as the next blackened screamo flag bearers. Since that release the Atlanta quartet have signed with influential UK label Church Road Records (their ridiculous roster includes the likes of Hidden Mothers, Lowen, Wren, Helpless and Burner), which did absolutely nothing to dampen my expectations for their next full-length. Under A Gilded Sun is Malevich’s most anticipated release yet, and while it did not initially grab me by the lapels like I was hoping, it does now have me in some kind of tender choke hold that I can't, nor want to escape from.
That lack of immediate enamour could have something to do with the fact this is a very different record to what I was expecting. I was fully prepared to be beaten black and blue from the outset with their brand of sludgy screamo nastiness, but instead it took considerable time and repeated listens for each song to jostle into position and land their more subtle punches. There were nuances present on Trembling and Dowsed that hinted the band would experiment with more melody and clean vocals on their next record, and indeed they have. The additional instrumentation and more ambitious arrangements help to elevate the album as a whole, taking it to places you wouldn't normally expect sludge or screamo to venture. “Illusion Never Changed” is the prime example with its soaring yet delicate vigour building into something truly epic. It’s mightily impressive, but a huge departure from the abrasive ferocity and fevered dissonance found on previous full length Our Hollow (2019).
The overall tone and feel of the album has possibly jolted me more than these forays into melody. Malevich's music always carried a sense of menace and unease, which are less obvious on this new release. Melancholy is now the overarching quality that comes to the fore, which has taken some getting used to. Even on the more furious moments, such as the tormented “Cross Of Gold”, you can find an underlying subdued energy running throughout which adds a sense of vulnerability to the songwriting. The melding of multiple genres is pretty much a given with Malevich, but they really do make it seem effortless here. “Into Bliss” starts off with a sullen back and forth of screams/bellows (three of the four band members contribute to the vocals on this album) over a backdrop of bass and synths, before it breaks into some delicious post metal riffing and stabs of mid tempo blast beats. The clean vocals then enter stage right to add another juxtaposed layer to proceedings, and goddamn, does it work well. The seamless blending of all these elements and ideas not only shows the band are comfortable with spinning many plates but that they can eat off them at the same time.
Malevich have always been a difficult band to nail down to a specific sound, whether it be post-black metal, blackened screamo, sludge or even grindcore, but with this album they have made their sound truly their own, and that is a massive accomplishment. Malevich have not only surprised me but genuinely challenged me with this release, and I can only applaud them for that. Did it take a while for me to warm to this record? Yes. Has it now exceeded my expectations? Absolutely. Under A Gilded Sun is a brilliantly arranged, inventive album full of intricacies and twisted treasures that will keep you coming back for more.
Check out our full-album premiere here.