Looming as a force to be reckoned with
After having played within a whole host of acts in the Perth metal scene throughout the years, vocalist Cain Cressall (Ex-Centaur/Pathogen) and guitarist Jarrod Curley (Ex-Malice Unity) decided to join forces in 2003, and together they formed Malignant Monster. As a duo, they released a three-track demo titled Welcome To Your Doom! in 2004, which helped announce the duo’s return to the scene. Although recorded primarily as a way of finding suitable band members and gauging general feedback, Welcome To Your Doom! received an overwhelming reaction from the press, as well as capturing the attention of drummer Ben Stanley (Ex-Centaur), who then joined the duo’s cause.
Twelve months on, and the trio have returned with a new seven track E.P. titled Foul Play released through Prime Cuts Music (The label run up ex-Pathogen/Choke guitarist Glenn Dyson), and what a transformation the band has gone through in their short time.
Opening up the E.P. is the new track Old Corpus Delecti (Which also represents the band on the recently released double album compilation Underearthed 4, presented by 2RRR), and it’s immediately clear the fire power Malignant Monster can dish out, with a sound that combines the brute force of thrash, with shade of melodic death metal influences felt within Stanley’s blast beats and Cressall’s demonic delivery. Drive The Nails is noted for its cleverly utilised keyboard enhancement in the opening minute and a half before it reverts to a more thrash/death format, while the shorter Consequences Of Indecision is a straight out thrash attack, punctuated with some classic melodic solo work mid way through.
All three tracks from Welcome To Your Doom! (Line Of Fire, the punishing extremity of My Rage and the groove/gang vocalised Turrets Of Blood) have benefited from a re-recording (The E.P. was co-produced by Nexus guitarist Geoff Eaton), and all sit well in amongst the newer material.
Finishing up the disc is a faithful rendition of the old Megadeth classic Liar (From 1988’s So Far, So Good… So What!), which has been given a slight death metal twist, along with a bonus C.D. Rom component featuring the professionally shot promotional video clip for Old Corpus Delecti.
Foul Play is a huge step forward for the group over their original demo (And previous projects I might add), and considering that since the recording of Foul Play the line up of Malignant Monster has been bolstered with the addition of guitarist Nathan Spargo (Ex-Sacritual/Avantgard) and bassist Dave Elzer, this is sure to be one hell of a malevolent creature to watch out for in the not too distant future.
(Prime Cuts Music)
