Malefic Throne – The Conquering Darkness
Release Date: 28th November 2025
Label: Agonia Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Death Metal
FFO: Angelcorpse, Morbid Angel, Perdition Temple.
Review By: Andy Spoon
“One filthy track right after another” – That’s probably the best way that I can describe Malefic Throne’s newest offering, The Conquering Darkness. The supergroup trio has returned in 2025 with their newest offering since their 2022 self-titled EP, which I was able to review at that time. Having been a big fan of member Gene Palubicki, I was excited to hear that he’s back on the guitar to bring those same Angelcorpse, Morbid Angel-esque tones that we can’t get enough of. The fact that each of these members are part of other ongoing projects which have had success on their own is a wonder, as one might only guess as to how they can set aside the creative time to bring Malefic Throne together. Whatever the substance of that effort, it’s been worth it, bringing one of the heaviest pure, raw death metal albums of the season.
The band has its roots all the way back into the 1990s, when creative collaboration started at Morrisound, while their respective projects were recording. Naturally, Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal and Angelcorpse’s trajectories were positively monumental in that stratospheric era of death metal, members Gene Palubicki, John Longstreth, and Steve Tucker recount the energy and creative inspiration that they shared then, and now. Given that context, it’s interesting to see how remembering a great moment in time, where creativity is high, where collective direction seems limitless, artists are able to channel some of the strongest inspiration for a fucking banger of an album. I think that The Conquering Darkness is a truly dynamic sequel to the self-titled debut EP, which was positively-reviewed by extreme metal fans.
Obviously not changing the tone or feel of anything, The Conquering Darkness adds some additional clarity in mastering/recording (to my ears, at least) while still maintaining that gut-punching, high-speed sound that seems to be plucked right out of the primitive days of that particular movement (see Morbid Angel and their influence). Furiously fast and unrelenting drums, raucous guitars, deep, bellowy harsh vocals, infernal lyrical content, it’s all there, perfectly-preserved with the slightest evolution for more modern recording and mastering (something I always lean in and appreciate, as it shows the technical skill of these artists).
The total LP has 8 tracks, never really stopping for one second. I particularly like Divine Tragedy, as it blends a fabulous guitar solo with a nasty groove section with a vocal chant that absolutely cannot be missed. This album is just a banger, and I don’t think that anyone with a brain and any experience in raw, pure, roots death metal would disagree. I’ve always loved any band that really brings that Morbid Angel style together, which Malefic Throne does, while still elaborating and bringing a unique overall sound for 2025. We truly are in a golden age of extreme metal – in which the guys from bands many of us grew up listening to, continue to grow their artistic breadth and give us such fabulous sustenance.
(4 / 5)
