Maelstrom of Malevolence by Ghost of Agony Review

Chicago based artist Ghost of Agony has released the single Maelstrom of Malevolence off of the upcoming sophomore album Beyond Our Realm. This delve into death metal territory is influenced by dark fantasy elements and incorporates influences from both thrash and black metal.

Ìn comparison to the first album Ashen Kingdom, this single shows more development not only in musical prowess but, also overall image. The aesthetic has been revamped to encapsulate the theatrical feel of the music better. As an opener, Maelstrom of Malevolence showcases a solid taste of what is to come.

The track opens with a brief scattering of thunder over a chunky bass line which sets the tone. As a death metal entry, all the necessary ingredients are here. It’s fast, a little more on the thrash side of riff work with guttural vocals that take precedence in the mix. The bass work here is the star of the show, a welcome standout on the track.

Around 3:25 we do get a fun little semi-solo that adds a certain amount of spice to what could otherwise be tepid structure. There’s a lot of fun to be had here even if it’s not necessarily reinventing the wheel. I could see this being a welcome addition to most playlists in the vein of death metal of the newer era.

Maelstrom of Malevolence shows a promising start to Ghost of Agony’s upcoming record, but I will be curious to see how the sound develops further as time progresses.

Beyond Our Realm releases May 2nd, and physical copies are also available for pre-order on their Bandcamp. Please be sure to give them a listen and let us know your thoughts here. Until next time, hails or something.