Artist: Malintent CD Title: "The Second Coming" Reviewed by: Nick Martinelli Reviewed: 3/18/03

Malintent is a trash-based and deathly heavy band with ballsy earth shaking guitar riffs. The band hails from the East cost and delivers head banging metal at high energy levels. Their music is very dark and speedy with lots of melody. If you're a fan of old school Testament, then I know you're going to love this band. The guitar work is on fire at all times. They conjured up all hell with their rhythm guitars leaving the listener to run for their life.

     "Anti-World [sYberchrYst]" opens the cd with brutally heavy guitar riffs and evil vocals. If you're into deadly heavy and rough edged metal this one is for you. The guitar riffs are super heavy and will plow you down like a bulldozer. The lyrics are very interesting as well and defiantly fit this style of music. They remind me of the older Megadeth from the "Killing is My Business" days. Matt Aub cranks out some high-speed shred antics that will defiantly raise a brow during his lead breaks.

     "Apostate" has some of the coolest guitar riffing on the cd using melodic palm muted riffs. Lead breaks are quite frequent throughout the song as well. This track has some pretty intense lyrical content so defiantly check that out too. Then comes in the main lead section that just shreds. Jamie and Mattt did an excellent job complimenting each other's note fests.

     "Circus of Sin" is another heavy number packed with galloping riffs, pounding bass lines and plenty of double bass. Mattt Aub and Jamie's guitar playing massacre everything in site, leaving nothing standing. I enjoyed the processed vocal tones used in this track, they really added to the songs atmosphere. Don't forget to give a good listen to the lead trade offs near the end of the song. Man these boys tear it up like Marty Friedmen on "Rust in Piece" I kid you not!

     "Hate Machine v2000" opens with some dark sounding and lightly distorted guitar that soon get crushed by intense guitar riffing. I liked the band's choice of blended guitar effects. Flangers were used in many areas to give an added texture to the songs feel. The main guitar riffing is very fast and powerful. If you're looking for something to head bang by, then "Hate Machine v2000" is the way to go!

     "City of the Dead" track five is a slower song that builds up a huge dark and dreary atmosphere. The first portion of the song is pure clean tone drenched with effects. I loved the bass solo that went over that section, because it really fit the movement and vibe at that time. It was also very interesting because of it's use of harmonic minor. Lets just say you don't hear those types of bass solos every day! Soon after that, brutally heavy and fast rhythm guitars come in and tear the place apart. The song progresses along nicely to the main lead section. The Mattt Aub and Jamie kick it up a notch with some super cool open string shredding, mixed runs and craziness.

     "End Game: Final Judgment" begins with hard-hitting metal mayhem drenched with flangers. Vocals throughout the song are very dark and evil sounding complementing lyrics. The song structure moves around well with each part seamlessly entering the next. If you're into brutal guitar playing than this is the song for you. That's not all folks, because you will also receive the trade off leads from the metal monsters Matt and Jamie. They are very neoclassically influenced and will drive the stake right into your heart.

     "Suffer the Little Children" song seven is a very atmospheric piece that is soaked with melodies and impressive song writing. The track is very moody and will defiantly calm you down. Check out the double lead harmonies beginning after 01:15. They are very simple, but have so much to say. Not to mention they're very soulful. After that, the heavy guitars come in and tear down the walls. Keep your ears open for spastic lead melodies that come in after most verses. The main lead line has to be my absolute favorite from the album, for its mind warping melody and soulful onslaught of licks. Great job guys!

     "Sickhead" doesn't wait to hit you with intense blazing guitar riffing. The song defiantly reminds me of the old school trash metal that we all know and love. This song should have been on "New World Order" from Testament! Matt's leads are tight and really have that Alex Skolnick vibe. The main riff of the song drives along and creates a surreal metal nightmare. Check out the killer lead/rhythm line at 2:33, need I say more? Hail the Sickhead!

     Song nine "Immortal War" begins with some dreary minor based guitar harmonies that leads into the thrash style of riffing. The vocals come in and get the song's verse moving with intensity and power. The vocal performance throughout the album fits the style of music perfectly. There are plenty of tight leads during this song and in good variety. Check out the killer hammer-on and pull-off lick at 02:52, its one not to pass up. The main lead rips and it reminded me of the shrapnel Marty Friedman and Jason Becker days. Great job guys!

     Lastly song ten "The Ancients" was a good choice for an album closer. Its fast, heavy, driving and you'll be head banging for sure. The song is packed with tons of muti-guitar harmonies. Matt and Jamie make a great guitar team and seem to have similar but yet vastly different lead styles. I really enjoyed the rhythm parts of the song as well. The guys used some cool palm muted high end riffing along with their heavy trash style. This song takes a different turn at 03:17, breaking away from the songs initial vibe. Matt and Jamie take turns shredding some solos before the vocals come back in. "The Ancients" is the longest song on the album clocking in at a large 08:25, but don't be fooled by its length. Malintent did a great job of keeping the song alive with interesting guitar passages, cool lyrics and great song writing.

     Looking back, Malintent released a ballsy thrash metal rocker that will meet up to the standards of any Testament fan on earth! I really enjoyed the cd and play it when I'm in the mood for bone crushing and break neck speed metal. Malintent has top notch players, all giving 110% at all times. You won't find a sour note, vocal line or off beat. The band is very tight and this release proves that trash metal is still alive and well. I give Malintent the metal horn salute!

Official Website: www.abyss-records.com/Malintent.html

Preferred Seller: www.guitar9.com/guitarmusic9/thesecondcoming.html

mp3.com site: www.mp3.com/Malintent

Buy it online at: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/malintent and Guitar9.com