Malevich – Under a Gilded Sun

Malevich – Under a Gilded Sun
Release Date: 22nd August 2025
Label: Church Road Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Blackened Post-Metal, Screamo, Grindcore, Sludge, Black Metal, Post-Metal, Death Metal.
FFO: Knoll, Veilburner, Deftones, This Gift Is A Curse, Orchid, Gaahls Wyrd, Portrayal of Guilt.
Review By: Rick Farley

Formed in 2016, Atlanta, Georgia based blackened post/screamo quartet Malevich are about to release their new LP Under a Gilded Sun on August 22^nd via Church Road Records. Settling on calling this band blackened post/screamo doesn’t even tell half the actual story of the challenging but rewarding listening experience you’re about to have. 

The integration of more than a couple of extreme metal genres is not something that a lot of bands are successful at achieving. The blending of two is pretty much the norm these days and really not that impressive anymore, but when a band can take elements from four genres or more and seamlessly meld them into workable, engaging songs, that’s something to start talking about. So, disclaimer right from the get, this is not a band that every metalhead will be able to consume easily. This is angry, discordant, harsh, jarring and anxiety ridden music pushed to the extreme. With that said, Under a Gilded Sun still might be the most well put together record I’ve heard this year in terms of flowing cohesiveness. Melody, melancholy, and soothing atmospheres all are present within the context of the records chaos and somehow seems just as important as its fury. There’s a real desperation felt in the compositions that is organically human. The complex layering of different intensities works incredibly well, showing that beneath all the horrors of the world, there still can be peace within. 

Opening track Blossom in Full Force is the exact representation of what this record offers, a three vocalist attack of raging high screams, guttural lows and post cleans. Black metal elements mixed with crushing sludginess twisting itself into catchy, post metal airiness and grindy riff patterns, this is a four-minute trip to an actual hell. I can only imagine this as the sound of a victim of horrific brutality finding solace from their suffering in their last passing seconds. It’s ugly and savage, but it’s also cathartic. When bands can induce this type of real vehemence in their music, I find it spellbinding.

Track two Impasse grinds gruesomely with death metal style growls and twangy, slightly distorted guitars, giving a stress inducing nervousness to it. The track veers towards ghostly post cleans in the background mixed in with skull cracking, stompy riffs that are murky and catchy. Swampy grindcore topped off with ethereal atmosphere, just feels hideous but works so well. The discordance of A Sun that Only Sets emits a progressive death metal vibe slithering between scarring guitar disharmony and otherworldly passages, while If We Sing Towards the Heavens Maybe They’ll let Us In brings unhinged energy before it reaches a doomy melancholic rage. Malevich is able to bring loads of terrifying atmosphere and colossal heaviness without having to just rely on loads of distortion. The use of dynamics on this record is next level. 

Under a Gilded Sun was recorded and mixed by Seth Manchester at Machines With Magnets (The Body, Big Brave, Liturgy) in August 2024 and mastered by Erol Ulug (Teeth, Dangers). Additional Vocals and sounds were recorded at the bands home space in Atlanta, Sobek Sound, with engineering by Connor Ray. Art by Sasha Schilbrack-Cole. The record is huge sounding without being too overwhelming, there is a nervousness in its mix, but everything is still clear, even though the tones are punishingly raw. The production fits the record’s claustrophobic density. 

Truthfully, Malevich wasn’t even on my radar until I heard the one single. I decided to review it based on just that track. The amount of real emotion that Under a Gilded Sun will give you if you’re open and willing to receive it is nothing short of phenomenal. From utter repulsiveness, to dreadful and grotesque, then seamlessly to serene and back again. Let this one soak in.

(4.5 / 5)