Review: Recidivist – Madness Malformed
Recidivst is a Salt Lake City quintet that has concocted a 30-minute aural assault that’s equal parts old-school death metal worship and modern hardcore brutality, all wrapped in a DIY ethos that’s as refreshing as it is relentless. It’s a sledgehammer, not a scalpel, that’s for sure after the first spinning of “Madness Malformed”.
The album’s strengths are immediately apparent. Recidivist’s love for the ’90s death metal sound is palpable, from the groovy, chugging riffs to the deadpan gutturals that, while occasionally lacking in ferocity, channel the spirit of Obituary with a wink and a nod. The drums are a standout with their love of groov and the production, while raw, is respectful to all instruments, with the bass actually audible, a minor miracle in extreme metal. Songs like “Radiation Apocalypse” and “Cryptic Nightmare”deliver the goods with a mix of slamming intensity and horror-themed lyricism that’s as cheesy as it is charming.
“Madness Malformed” isn’t without its flaws, and they’re the kind that might make you hesitate before hitting “repeat.” The songwriting, while energetic, can feel haphazard. Some songs come across like a bucket of riffs shaken up and poured out onto the mixing board, lacking the cohesion that separates the great from the merely good. The reverb is overdone in places, turning what should be a crisp, punishing listen into a muddy, blurred mess. And while the Obituary worship is fun, the vocals could use a bit more pain, more rage, to match the album’s otherwise unforgiving approach.
Still, there’s something undeniably compelling about “Madness Malformed”. It’s the sound of a band wearing their influences on their sleeve while carving out their own niche in the contemporary death metal scene. The album’s blend of ’80s horror themes, ’90s composition, and modern production makes it a standout in a crowded field, and its DIY attitude is a breath of fresh air in an era of overpolished, sterile metal. If you’re a fan of the genre, this is worth your time, just don’t expect it to change your life. It’s a brawler, not a philosopher, and it’s all the better for it.
