Malevitus
S/T
***and a 1/2 out of *****
The debut, self-titled release from the New Orleans based
post-punk outfit Malevitus,
delivers angular rock and spoken word lyrics, all buoyed by a dance ready beat.
The four piece (Tiana Hux: vocals, percussion, Marcus
Bronson: bass, vocals, keys, percussion, Rob Cambre: guitar, fx, Mike
Andrepont: drums) deliver a streamlined effort that fuses poppy tunes with
warbling at the edges mayhem. "Panhandle" is a good summation of the
groups powerful points as it uses deft drumming and bass around a
scratchy/grooving guitar with Hux plain spoken vocals revving up to the edge of
disintegration before easing back into a hip shaking ready groove.
Three numbers really capture the ear as the bands cover of X's "Universal Corner" nails
Malevitus overall aesthetic perfectly while "Night of the Dog"
is an engaging original that pushes more towards late night funky rock mover
with excellent guitar work from Cambre and near rapping from Hux. The third
standout, "Rapscallion" winningly pushes up the slamming tempo and
punk rock feedback while reminding of Royal
Trux scuzzy rawk and roll.
The sparse and experimentally accentuated "Golden Toy
Soldiers" buzzes to open while the bass intro and snarling lyrics of "Fire
Department" moves the white noise to the distance. Two longer numbers
"Sugar and Salt" and "Light Years" are expansive wandering
down different paths as "Sugar and Salt" keeps the dance pulse
pumping, while the more art rock direction of "Light Years" challenge
the listener.
Support the band, buy the album, stream it on bandcamp or below and peep some video:
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