Since their inception in 2010, Malevolence have been a force to be reckoned with in the Heavy Metal scene. In the last few years, the band’s success has undoubtedly catapulted them into our consciousness. Drawing the attention of heavyweights in the genre, such as Trivium, the band had the chance to join their tour last January with overwhelming success. A massive world tour followed for the remainder of 2023. Tonight, they were joined by Pain Of Truth and Rough Justice.
Malevolence – Pain Of Truth – Rough Justice
Colchester Arts Centre – 6 February 2024
Words And Photography: Lawrence Potter
Fast forward to now, and we find ourselves at the Colchester Arts Centre as Malevolence are full steam ahead into a headline tour.
It took a few moments to get back to reality after the absolute carnage Pain Of Truth bestowed upon the Colchester audience just moments before [more on that below], but after this short break, Malevolence prepared to hit the stage.
And what a way to start. Once again, it was full steam ahead with the moshing. Malicious Intent began Malevolence’s portion of the evening. At this point, crowd surfing is an absolute formality as streams of fans once again fly through the air.
Frontman Alex Taylor informs the people this is the only show on the tour without barricades and lightly persuades people to take full advantage of this piece of information. With no pit, this made tonight’s togging a tough ask as I was showered with flying arms and legs.
Despite the chaos around them, Malevolence never missed a beat. They showed what absolute pros they are as they delivered a twelve-song masterpiece of a set that delved through the band’s catalogue.
Midway through, the lights go down as rhythm guitarist Konan Hall takes the tone down briefly as he goes into a stunning rendition of Higher Place. This sounded absolutely immense played within the church walls of the Colchester Arts Centre. As always, Josh Baines plays a picture-perfect guitar solo that will tears to anyone’s eyes.
It’s absolute magic from the boys from Sheffield, as they play a fantastic set that really shows why they are on top of their game right now. And as this was one of the last chances the band will be over here touring for a while, I suggest you go check them out if they are playing at a venue near you.
Near the end of the night, Charlie Thorpe treats us to a drum solo before the band walks on stage again. One more time, the crowd goes insane as Keep Your Distance erupts, which goes right into Broken Glass to end a chaotic yet legendary night at the Colchester Arts Centre.
Rough Justice
The crowd flowed into the arts centre at around 7:30 from the downpour outside, and after everyone grabbed a drink, Rough Justice joined us for some Hardcore Metal to kick off the show.
Rough Justice radiates energy and aggression with beefy breakdowns combined with explosive riffs but still fits in the odd melodic moments that shine through perfectly.
Even as early as this juncture, the crowd are riling up, and I, alongside the few others in the front row, am beginning to realise that the front row at a Metal show may not always be the safest place to be.
Rough Justice put on a great performance, keeping the energy rolling from start to finish and kicking the evening off in style. If you like your music to be as brutal as possible but still know when to rein it in for a chorus, then Rough Justice is right up your alley.
Pain Of Truth
Rough Justice was certainly a tough act to follow, but next up, from New York, is Pain Of Truth. I’ll admit these guys were fairly new to me, but after watching a few live videos prior to tonight, I became very aware of what might ensue on the dance floor and beyond.
The band start with Blood On Your Hands which seamlessly flicks the switch in the dormant crowd to absolutely go nuts once again.
Pain Of Truth are as brutal as they come, with an endless bag of breakdowns that keep everyone in a frenzy. The band were kicking and punching the air, as well as the odd fellow giggoers, and launching themselves from the stage to the abyss of fans.
This New York five-piece has everyone in their hands, and they refuse to relinquish until THEY say when.
Pain Of Truth put on an absolute belter of a set. Highlights, to name but a few, were Scarred, Actin’ Up, and Snake In Disguise before finishing on an epic Pain Of Truth.
