Maliant – Oracle – Album Review – maliantmusic

Review By Darren McIntyre

Maliant is a power metal project from Italy founded by Kyrah Aylin, Larry Ozen, Francesco Caputo & Valerio Edward de Rosa, whose vision was to blend powerful riffs and dark electronics with vocals that range from clean to scream to growl; the outcome was to create an intense & immersive atmosphere that would draw the fans in. The band brings us their debut record, Oracle, today, so please sit back as I walk us through this slab of dark melodic metal.

Annihilation – A crisp, melodic guitar lick wanders freely through the intro as the thundering, crunchy rhythm section kicks in the doors and lets this monster reveal itself. The growler vocals come through as this gritty beast lays itself bare for all to hear as Kyrah unleashes her powerful, intense vocals to let this track tell its own story; the colossal double bass kick pedals are giving the track depth and attitude as we feel the energy oozing from every member of this symphonic, metal-pounding band as the slick guitar riffs give the track real energy as we get a cool, melodic solo that works well with the dark, brooding bassline as it drops in and hits us with a meaty groove that really stirs the pot in this opening salvo. The intense thundering snare drum punches allow the track to flow and give it depth and swagger as we continue the journey of this Italian power-drenched project.

Elementary – From the off, we get a shredding, power-driven onslaught of heavy guitar riffs that work well with the heavy. pounding bass kicks that are letting the track come to life as the soaring, melodic vocals lean in and let the track deliver a soaring tempo. The thundering drum beats really beef up the arrangement as the band delivers a strong, mellow tone that just takes us on the journey with these 4 talented musicians. The addition of the synth tones lifts the track as we feel the pressure bear down on us as we get a spoken word running through the midsection as the slick, piercing guitar licks give this offering a real shot in the arm as the band continues to impress and build on their songwriting and musicianship.

Rise & Fall – A haunting, dark intro as the bell tolls flows freely through the intro as the track suddenly erupts with a really cool vocal that allows the track to grab us by the throat and really express itself. The galloping guitar riffs are bringing the track to life as the punchy snare/bass salvo really lets the track express itself as we get into the growler vocals that complement the clean tones as they wander effortlessly through this fist-pumping, foot-stomping melodic wonder as the band continues to tell their story through their impressive music that just wraps itself around us as we get a furious, spellbinding guitar lick that just drives this monster forward. The full-on brooding bassline is hitting us with a real sludgy, mellow groove that works so well in this anthemic, dark story that just builds and builds as the band shifts through the gears and lets us feel the energy and emotion oozing from every musician as they bring their story to life.

Stigmata – Synth keys ripple through the intro as we feel the tension building through the crisp guitar lick that lets this track breathe as the thundering rhythm section leans in and lets the groove hit us. The sultry, melodic vocals ease into the track as the galloping guitar riffs let us feel the intensity oozing through the track. As the vocals reach a symphonic level as Kyrah unleashes her inner goddess, we are getting a fiery, insane tone as the punchy bass kicks let the drums control the direction of this soaring beast as it builds and builds and lets us feel the tension flowing through the track. The bassline is quietly going about its business as it drops in with real meaty, funk grooves that add to the intensity of this grinding monster as the solid, slick, clean guitar licks rip open the track and let it reveal its true identity.

Entropy – The track erupts into life with a real sludgy, gritty guitar riff that lets Kyrah bring her symphonic, power-laden vocals to really let this track tell its tale. The thundering rhythm section is commanding the room as the punchy bass/snare beat lets the track open and soar as the band just shifts through the gears and really delivers a melodic, fist-punching beat that lets us stamp our feet and feel the energy ooze into this dramatic, mysterious number as the cool, shredding guitar licks flow freely through the midsection as the soaring bassline drops in and hits us with a dark, meaty funk tone. The album is a fresh, power-ravaged slab of melodic rock ‘n’ roll that grabs us by the throat and won’t let go till we submit and allow the band to recruit us to their growing fanbase.

Desert Prayer (Instrumental) – A dark, mysterious synth note lingers through the intro as Kyrah lets her smouldering vocals lead the charge in this fantastic instrumental piece. The bass drum beats really intensify the track as we feel the depth oozing from the record as the band insert a little musical interlude that just wets our appetites for what else lies in store from this album.

The Ritual Fire – The track opens with a swirling synth-like tone as we await the crunching guitar-laden intro, as the speed metal galloping riffs really let the track breathe. The killer symphonic vocals ease into the arrangement as the thundering rhythm section offloads with a crunching, brutal kick that just lets us feel the intense, soaring tones that are hitting us right now. The bassline is dropping in with a real funky, deep tone that works perfectly with the storytelling vibes that are threading their way through this colossal number. The slick, crisp guitar licks are working perfectly with the growling. punchy beats that flow into a spoken and mellow script that changes pace as the swirling guitar licks build and build as the synth tones weave their way through this foot-stomping, meaty growler fest that is coming for us with all it has.

Mirror Of Deception – A rasping, gritty guitar riff opens this crunching beast as we get unclean and growler vocals that just set the tone of this melodic monster as the thundering double bass kicks leave their mark on this awesome number. The vocals are flowing effortlessly through the track as we feel the intense, melodic tones wrap themselves around us with ease as the album brings us monster after monster groove that really lets the band express themselves and really delve into their inner demon and hit us with all they have. The searing guitar work is just sublime as we feel the grit and determination pouring from each musician as they deliver a special, melodic piece that tells us that this band means business as they lay out their souls on this slab of symphonic, melodic power metal.

. TheCyber 9 – Synth notes ripple through the intro as piano notes litter themselves to allow the track to flow as a spoken lyric wanders freely through the opening credits. The deep, pulsing tones erupt as the thundering rhythm section offloads witha killer double bass kick that lets the snare punches rain down on us as the gritty, rasping guitar licks kick in the doors and really let the tone flow. The melodic, smouldering vocals grab our attention as Kyrah tells her own story as this melodic beast builds and builds as we get to grips with this galloping guitar lick. The bassline is hitting us with a soulful, delicious, funk laden groove that wraps itself around the lyrics as the band hit the business end of their debut album, and it has been a refreshing slab of music that will only cement the band for bigger and better things, the soaring, slick guitar solo brings intensity, swagger and attitude to the track as we feel the melodies flow effortlessly through the track as we hit the end zone.

The Witches Brew – Synth tones ripple through the intro as a galloping guitar riff enters the track and gets us underway; a pounding bass kick shows itself as a growling vocal rolls through the track as we let the band bring the defining track to our attention as the soaring, melodic riffs wrap themselves around us as Kyrah lets her incredible vocals lead the charge in this fist-pumping beast. The killer double bass kicks really bring the track kicking and screaming towards us as this symphonic monster builds and builds as the band hits the ground running and really lets the musicality shine as we are drawn to the incredible vocals that are letting this track express itself. The slick, crisp growler vocals lean in and give the track a different texture that is just on the money as the searing solo erupts and really bares its teeth in this fantastic arrangement that will have us reaching for the repeat button for sure.

Maliant –

Kyrah Aylin – Clean / Scream / Growler Vocals

Valerio Edward de Rosa – Guitars

Larry Ozen Amati – Bass / Orchestra / Electronics

Francesco Caputo – Drums

Track Listing –

Annihilation

Elementary

Rise & Fall

Stigmata

Entropy

Desert Prayer – Instrumental