Malevolence: Racism, Metal & Online Hate Response
News Directory 3 presents a deep dive into Malevolence, the Yorkshire metalcore band making waves with their raw honesty and powerful music. Learn how their breakthrough single, ”Keep Your Distance,” unexpectedly mirrored the social distancing of 2020, propelling them to tour with giants like Lamb of God. Discover how Malevolence confronts critical issues, with lead singer Alex taylor delving into personal struggles and mental health in songs from their upcoming album, “Were Only the Truth Is Spoken.” Explore how the band tackles themes such as online negativity and hateful rhetoric, connecting with fans through relatable lyrics. The group is set for major headline shows in London and Manchester. Understand how their journey, from balancing early tours with day jobs to crafting a unique metalcore sound, has led them to this critical moment. Discover what’s next …
Malevolence: Metalcore Band Finds success in Honesty
Updated June 17, 2025
Malevolence, a metalcore band hailing from Yorkshire, is riding a wave of success fueled by their heavy sound and brutally honest lyrics. Ironically, their breakthrough single, “Keep Your Distance,” released just before the 2020 lockdowns, unintentionally mirrored the coming year’s social distancing mandates.
“It was completely by coincidence,” guitarist and vocalist Konan hall said from his Sheffield home. Lead singer Alex Taylor added that the unintentional connection provided “free marketing.”
Since then, Malevolence has toured with major acts like Lamb of god and Trivium. Known for their intense live shows, they set a crowd-surfing record at Derbyshire’s Bloodstock festival with 901 surfers.However, their music delves deeper then just mayhem, exploring mental health and online negativity.
Their upcoming album,”Where Only the Truth is Spoken,” recorded in part at Josh Wilbur’s California studio and Dave Grohl’s Studio 606,is generating notable buzz. Hall noted the band used the same console Fleetwood Mac used for “Rumours.”
Formed over a decade ago, Malevolence features co-guitarist Josh Baines, bassist Wilkie Robinson, and drummer Charlie Thorpe.Taylor joined in 2010. The band balanced early tours with full-time jobs, including building work, security, and bartending.
In 2020,they released “The Other Side,” a ballad about heartbreak. Taylor has as become more open about personal struggles, revealing that he lost four friends to suicide during the pandemic. This experience inspired him to integrate his personal life with his music.
“Where Only the Truth Is Spoken” tackles tough subjects. “Salt the Wound” explores the burden of expecting others to fix personal problems, while “If It’s All the Same to You” addresses cutting ties with family members spreading hateful rhetoric online, according to Taylor.
Malevolence is scheduled to play their largest headline shows to date in london and Manchester in November. The band hopes their honesty will resonate with fans facing their own challenges.
“It’s about bridging that gap [between artist and audience] and hopefully helping peopel through whatever it is that they’re going through in life, whether it be mental health struggles, loneliness, anger or sadness,” Taylor said.
What’s next
“Where Only the Truth is Spoken” is set to release June 20 on Nuclear Blast Records. The band aims to crack the UK Top 10 and eventually headline Download festival.