Review by Anna on February 17, 2010.

There's not too much for me to bash here. The worst thing I can say is that Maleficio is not doing anything I've never heard before- the description 'Black/Death Metal with a heavy Dissection influence" would suffice.

These musicians are obviously skilled, save for the slightly lagged blasting that someone like myself does not deem acceptable, though this seems to go unnoticed by most. They've got their composition down pat and don't deviate much from standard song-structuring conventions. This seems to be a choice, though I don't think it would be a bad idea if they pushed this envelope a bit. I can hear them disagreeing, but I'm not too keen on the perfectly "seamed" edges of each song. The affect seems to be a restricted range of "value" i.e., too much grey and not enough lights and darks. I feel a bit uneasy about this level of perfection in the context of extreme music. It's the musical equivalent of a woman who doesn't step outside the house without her makeup. I think there can be such beauty underneath if they would just let the raw show through.

There's no question these guys can play. The growls have a nice texture and the clean vocals on track seven are quite refreshing, but there's nothing on here that grips me by the throat and gives me that possessed look in my eye. Although, I really think a ton of people would dig this album as it's quite accessible and "catered" to the novice extreme metal-listener.

If you gave me this album ten years ago I would have been very enthusiastic, but my tastes have evolved. Over time the frequent blasting, "Swedish Black Metal"-style riffs and overall standard flavor of bands like this is equivalent to a lover doing the same exact moves for over an hour and getting you nowhere. It works for some people and if it does then great. As I said before the music is pretty tight and I think a good number of people would enjoy this.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 8
Originality: 5
Overall: 7

Rating: 7 out of 10

Review by JD on January 26, 2010.

Are these guys playing Black Metal? Are they playing Death Metal? Perhaps the answer is that they play a hybrid combination of the two mixed sandwiched with some serious attitude. I am not to sure what really to be calling this Swedish band, but that is a small part of my job here.

Maleficio is a Death Metal band that is purely based in the finest traditions of that style of metal... yet they have incorporated some aspects of other styles of metal (Black, Thrash and even some hints of Doom creep into the whole thing). These acquired bits of styles fills out the sound both vocally and musically speaking... and when you add in the growling guitars and earthquake rumbling bass, what you end up having a recording of a band that makes you stand up and take notice of a band on the verge of something big.

The lone drawback to this recording is the production of the CD. It is not bad of a recording overall, but it tends to reduce the sonic attack that this band clearly has locked in their arsenal. I think just a few minor tweaks on the controls when it was being recorded in the first place would have fixed that right up, but as the album is right now it poses a small but minor roadblock... but thankfully it is not a chasm that cannot be traversed.

What ever this amazing band is that you can pigeon hole them into, I'm now able to clearly say: who the fuck really cares in the first place.... this is metal at its best. Maleficio needs to be heard....Am I clear on this? Just so I am perfectly clear on what I am saying - Go get this album, stupid!!.

Categorical Rating Breakdown　

Musicianship:8.5
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 7
Originality: 8
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 8.0 out of 10

Review by JD on October 18, 2008.

Gotta tell you this is great... a partial concept album all about Serial Killers that story spans from his first kill to getting caught and then going to the electric chair is what has been layed out here. Damn, I am in Death Metal heaven here with what these veteran metallists of ten years have handed us ...an album that is so worth shouting about.

Germany's Bowtome has come up with a vision that is in of itself, is so ingenious and yet has a great deviousness to it... but it is the straight head musical aspects of this Death Metal dynamos that screams out to be heard. Combining some wickedly explosive guitars, furiously attacking drums and adding in that great bass sound that seems to come right out of hell... Bowtome give it to you squarely between the eyes. Advil anyone?.

I have heard only a little of what they have done in the past ( The live demo 2000 was the latest I have listened to), but this by far is the best I have heard yet. They do not give you fluff or try to copy other bands, or try to show you that they can play better than other bands... they simply give you what it is that Death Metal is all about.

Complete power, dazzling technicality and sadistic sort of storyline that would make Horror Author God Stephen King proud. Bowtome has a classic on their hands, and would make a perfect soundtrack for a slasher type of movie.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality: 9
Overall: 8

Rating: 8.4 out of 10