Mallevs – The Hammer
Mallevs – The Hammer
Floga Records
Release Date: 06/09/2024
Running Time: 40:26
Review by David Barreto
6.5/10
– Sounds pretty heavy.
– Weight has nothing to do with it.
Yes, we are in 2024. Yes, this record sounds like 1985. Yes, that quote is from Back to the Future (if you are too young to know, go check it out, it is a good one!)
It is Sunday in the morning, the sun is just starting to show over the mountains so the light is soft, very demure (you think a Millennial cannot learn how you speak today? Ha!) and this debut album from the Greek band Mallevs called “The Hammer” is definitely hammering my eardrums with strength and speed.
Don’t get me wrong, this is a very solid work that sounds like you would expect when it is defined as NWOBHM. Even though they are not British, the wave is definitely not new and the riffs and lyrics are closer to Power Metal but they definitely sound classic enough to qualify as Heavy Metal and there are not pompous singing or orchestration to be Power Metal so, having this clarified, let me say that this record is, actually, awesome.
Mallevs has a sound, rawness and impact that reminds me a lot of the extinct and never famous German Power/Speed Metal band Rawhead Rexx, only two records, but those two records are some of the best. Insane riffs, direct and powerful sound, lots of aggression… and that is why Mallevs reminds me of them.
Guitars are powerful, harmonically simple but full of weight. The drumming is precise, fast and clear. The bass is present, punchy and adds harmonic content to the final mix. The singing is classic, with high pitched end of phrases and doubling lines that give that chorus effect to the line.
I have to confess that I am definitely not a fan of this kind of singing, but there is power and all notes are in tune which is not something that is common nowadays.
So if you want to travel to the past and listen to a very classic sounding record, you will not need roads, but you will definitely enjoy this record a lot if you listen to it while driving at 88 mph or more.
Hasta la vista, Ever-Metallers!
‘Fire and Blade’ Official Audio
TRACKLISTING:
01. Flash of Rebellion
02. Fire and Blade
03. Barricade of Steel
04. Revenge Comes Riding
05. Black Abyss
06. The Hammer
07. Hydra of Lerna
08. Astral Plains
09. Lonely Dancer
LINE-UP:
Lead vocals – Panos Takos
Lead guitars – Manos Triantafyllou
Rhythm guitars – Thomas Trampoyras
Bass guitar – Giannis Maleas
Drums – Konstantin Gkialos
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of David Barreto and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
