Today, Armageddon Label announces February 14th as the international release date for two 12" vinyl releases from America's Malleus: a remastered version of the band's Storm of Witchcraft debut, originally released in 2016 and hard to attain, and 2018's Night Raids EP. On that same date, Armageddon Label will release a CD version of Storm of Witchcraft with the entirety of Night Raids as bonus tracks.
Malleus was formed in 2014 by The Hammer (guitars), The Relentless (drums), and The Channeler (bass, vocals). The band devoted the initial two years of their existence developing their sound and crafting the songs that would ultimately become their first full-length album. Summoning influences from classic first-wave black metal bands such as Hellhammer, Celtic Frost, and Bathory, Malleus created their own stripped-down, full-force brand of heavy metal.
Storm of Witchcraft was initially self-released by the band on cassette in 2016. The following year, the album was given a formal vinyl and CD release by Sweden’s Blood Harvest Records, and a subsequent expanded pressing is now slated for release by Armageddon Label in early 2020.
In 2017, Malleus embarked on a tour of the US West Coast in support of Columbia’s Witchtrap. Upon completion of the tour, The Channeler announced he would be departing the band after recording their planned EP. In preparation for this transition, the band employed the services of a long-time comrade, The Watcher, to take over the role of bass guitar and assist in final development of the new material.
In the winter of 2018, Malleus entered the studio to record a follow-up EP to display their rapidly evolving sound. The Night Raids 12” would eventually see its release in October of the same year. Aggressive, evil, and assaulting, the material on this EP, albeit only two tracks, sees the band starting to establish their own identity. While it certainly harkens back to all of their initial influences, it demonstrates that the band’s personal progression has only just begun.
The Sceptre was soon brought on board to take over vocal duties, ultimately completing the lineup of the band that exists today. The remainder of 2018 was devoted drilling the existing material and putting it to practice with select live performances throughout the northeastern United States.
2019 has been a year of discipline and development for Malleus. The band has remained hermetic for the majority of the year, abstaining from performing live in order to focus on writing material for their second full-length album, which is expected to be completed this year.
In the meantime, hear the remastered version of "Winds of Wrath / Ire" from Storm of Witchcraft along with Night Raids:
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