MALCHUS: Heritage
Heritage was originally released in 2019 (DZIEDZICTWO) with Polish lyrics only, but in 2022 Malchus recorded vocals in English and Roxx Records picked this one up for U.S. distribution. 2016’s The Evil House was a phenomenal record (if you haven’t heard it put it on your bucket list). Back with a new guitarist, Radislaw Solek (vocals/guitars/keys) and his band have maintained the progressive death metal style which characterized that release, and this time around they have incorporated even more “folk” elements into the mix in truly dynamic manner.
The great thing about Malchus is that they have a distinctive musical identity. Although they draw comparisons to Opeth’s middle death metal meets prog years, as well as share a vocal style not unlike Dark Tranquillity’s vocalist Stanne, they retain an original approach to their sound and songwriting.
The themes this time around are focused on the “heritages” in life – war (to protect freedom but also exploited for impure motives), blood (the sacrifice of life to preserve life) and victory (over suffering and death). In complimentary fashion, themes of conquering our fears (“Pre-Fear”), walking through difficult times (“The Valley”), recognition of one’s gifts and purpose in life (“Recognition”), the sacrament of The Lord’s Supper (“Body and Blood”), making “1” choice, hope (“The Hope Doesn’t Die”) and justice in truth (“The Innocent”). Lyrically this album is in every way as wonderful as its predecessor, yet perhaps more transparent, even more positive.
Musically, the sound production, mix, instrumentation and diversity are excellent – a wonderful mix of heavy and aggressive moments juxtaposed with beautiful, melodic passages. And where the songs are all mostly 3 to 5 minutes in duration, the musical soundscape is constantly flowing from one idea to another – no listener fatigue here as is often an issue for a lot of death metal/extreme metal.
In summary, this is an intriguing listen from beginning to end with the only negative that some of the lyrical phrasings in English feel awkward at times (and I imagine this would not be the case with the original Polish version). Excellent and highly recommended! The CD version comes with beautifully and creatively illustrasted 16-page booklet in jewel case. With this English lyric release of Heritage, Malchus join the ranks of great releases by Roxx Records in 2022 along with Reign of Glory, Fear Not and All For the King (review forthcoming!)
Track Listing:
1. Case “Zero” (3:53)
2. The Valley (4:14)
3. Pre-Fear (5:08)
4. Recognition (3:05)
5. The Heritage of War (3:23)
6. Body and Blood (3:37)
7. The Heritage of Blood (4:48)
8. 1 (2:47)
9. The Hope Doesn’t Die (4:49)
10. The Innocent (4:33)
11. The Heritage of Victory (3:45)
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