Technically Excellent
The buzz and build-up around this EP has been relatively understated. Malefice truly are one of the shining lights in heavy music at the moment, and one of the most consistent, so upon giving Gravitas a spin hopes were high. And rightly so because what an unbelievably crushing, solid, and powerful set of tracks. They've managed to pack in more aggression and technical excellence in four tracks than most are able to conjure up across a full album. In fact, there is room to argue that they've upped their game so much on this EP, it is actually better than their own last two full albums! Whatever the case, with this only being an EP, one assumes it is to build up to the next full release, so when that does arrive it could be absolutely massive for Malefice.
Opening track Forsaken blends huge sweeping riffs, with filthy metalcore style moments of chaos. The band sound phenomenally tight and really on their game which is especially good to hear seeing as this is their first output since new drummer James Cook arrived. And as far as the drums are concerned, not only on this track but across the EP, what a performance! Technically great, savagely on point, he really isn't messing about. Perhaps the real high point on the album though comes with the next track, Heroes. The periods of cleaner vocals really give it an epic 'Heavy Metal' fists in the air kind of feel, and will surely go down well live. Overall then, for a tidy little package of four tracks, this hits seriously hard.