MALYON
"Demo" (Self-produced)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Milwaukee, Wisconsin's Malyon is chunky heavy metal with surprisingly accessible vocals and lyrics you can actually understand as they're being sung. Lead vocalist Metal Mike Loosen does tend to screech now and then (particularly during "Stabbed in the Back" and "Big Brother") but for the most part pulls off a truly unique vocal sound - imagine Ozzy combined with Bruce Dickinson and you kind of get the idea.
The guitars are chunky and solid, never too sophisticated for this kind of metal and never too simplistic to prove boring. It's hard to comment much on the drums - not because they're bad but because they're programmed. Actually, it works pretty well throughout the CD so there can really be no complaints (except from out-of-work drummers).
And Malyon isn't all thunking guitar rock. They throw in a particularly well-written and emotional ballad, "Tortured," that starts slow and easy and then slowly sizzles into a killer number. Those who like their metal raw will really like Malyon.
MALYON: Metal Mike Loosen, vocals, some lead guitar, drum programming; Tim Brehmer, rhythm and lead guitars, drum programming; Joe Priewe, bass guitar; Jeff Moon, original drum ideas.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2002 by R. Scott Bolton. All
rights reserved.
Revised: 18 Mar 2024 11:16:02 -0500
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