Malignance - Regina Umbrae Mortis

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The extreme Metal scene of Italy has deep roots in the 80’s, as BULLDOZER created a massive earthquake when they released “The Day of Wrath” back on 1985. NECRODEATH came still in the 80’s, but many more came. So Italian Black Metal has a DNA that can be heard in many names as HANDFUL OF HATE, MALFEITOR (that unfortunately ceased to exist after two excellent albums), DARKEND and many others. And MALIGNANCE has such DNA as well, as can be heard on this remastered version of their first album, “Regina Umbrae Mortis”.

The album was originally released on 2003 (what justify this new release), and shows a massive, fast and raw of Black Metal in the traditional vein (but to those that still don’t know, Black Metal on SWOBM model earns influences from early German Thrash Metal acts, especially from SODOM’s “In the Sign of Evil” and “Obsessed by Cruelty”), adorned with nasty and furious tempos and some Gregorian-like chants. The energy peaks can blow the VU displays easily, and besides it could not sound as new as many could think (even back on 2003), it’s a very good release. The sound quality of “Regina Umbrae Mortis” isn’t good as it could be on those days. It’s crude beyond the right point, with organic instrumental tunes. It’s not as bad as some that make the understanding of what is being played a hard time, but their music deserved a better sonority.

The brutal and fast tempos of “The Lament’s Configuration” (very good and sharp guitar riffs in that way that hooks the attention of all) and “Statement of Supremacy”, the traditional Black Metal speed (not as extreme as on the previous songs) moments of “Regina Umbrae Mortis” (fine contrasts between the shrieks and the agonizing laments on vocals), the ferocious riffs of “Horror Vacui”, and the good rhythmic changes of “Nameless Paradox” (where bass guitar and drums creates some good technical arrangements) are their best shots, but their musical talent could be better lapidated in some moments.

This new release of “Regis Umbrae Mortis” is a positive thing, and shows that MALIGNANCE is a name that all Black Metal fans must pay attention to.

Musicianship: 8
Songwriting: 9
Memorability: 8
Production: 6