PRESS RELEASE:
Malefic
Impermanence
Terminus Hate City
13 February 2026
Atlanta blackened thrash visionaries MALEFIC are set to unleash their debut album, Impermanence, via Terminus Hate City on February 13, 2026. The band initially began work on the album in 2018, and conquered numerous personal and professional challenges on the road to completing their masterpiece. Drawing influence from black, death, and thrash metal, the diverse array of songs wrestles with themes such as politics, drug use, existentialism, perseverance, and the lasting consequences of one’s choices. Impermanence represents the culmination of many years of hard work and dedication, along with a deep love for music beyond strict genre boundaries.
The album opens with “Blood Of The Throne”, a storm of blistering blackened thrash metal. Precise guitar work, furious drumming, and vicious vocals dominate the soundscape, drawing the listener into a world where an oppressive economic system chews people up and spits them out. Unrelenting from the first note to the last, the song presents a venomous warning about the state of global affairs.
“In Darkest Dreams” showcases the MALEFIC’s death metal influences while retaining undertones of blackened thrash. Notably, it is one of the only songs on the album with a defined chorus, but still relies on a progressive rock-inspired structure. The band shifts their focus from reality to fantasy in this song, with lyrics telling a horror story about a deathly reaper figure.
“Of Gods And Man” marks a change of pace from the first two songs. It showcases MALEFIC’s melodic black metal influences, with a sense of urgency to the riffs and prominent bass lines. Intricate picking patterns intertwine with dueling guitar solos, as vocalist Aaron Baumoel spins a tale about greed, consumerism, and instant gratification. The song deals with the human relationship to a creator figure, and the existentialism that frequently pervades this relationship.
“Idiocracy” changes up the dynamics even further by introducing a black-n-roll sound. Catchy triplet riffing and epic arpeggios make it a memorable standout on the album. The lyrical themes return to the political and philosophical issues that are prevalent in modern society, arguing that many are unaware of their own ignorance, although they may attempt to call out others.
“Deserter” reintroduces a more prominent death metal sound. Ominous drums flow into groovy riffs and intricate solos, leading up to a barrage of thrash riffs. Call-and-response harsh vocals emerge out of the darkness, voicing feelings of abandonment and suicidal ideation. Syncopated drum beats and bass lines relentlessly carry the momentum onward.
“Disembodiment” opens with a haunting acoustic introduction, unlike any of the previous tracks on the album. The brutal, dueling harmonies in the chorus create the album’s emotional high point, as the lyrics warn of the dangers of narcissism, gaslighting, and emotional manipulation. Musically and lyrically, the song paints a path to despair that is, ironically, paved with beauty along the way.
Melodic and grandiose, “Obsidian Earth” is the album’s magnum opus. Unrelentingly aggressive, yet melodic and grandiose, the song takes the listener through a barrage of black metal riffs and blasting, melodic hooks, finally landing on an epic solo by Jason Davila. The song laments an impending, self-inflicted extinction of humanity, with a vocal performance marked by disquieting rage.
The most progressive song on the album, “Echoes Of Silence” boasts an ominous acoustic introduction. A variety of melodies expertly intertwine with one another, deftly carrying over from one section to the next. Chaotic black metal riffs drive forward a narrative about the dual nature of addiction, dispersed with heavy chords and cries of desperation. A cathartic guitar solo finally breaks the tension, and the lyrics of the last chorus serve as a reminder of life’s fragility.
The album finally drops off into the blackened abyss with “It Haunts”, pummeling the listener with charging riffs and fierce vocals. While intricate harmonies and guitar work weave themselves throughout the song, the epic guitar solo commands rapt attention. Mysterious lyrics describe a supernatural haunting, and are fittingly closed out by ghostly, magnificent acoustic arpeggios.
About MALEFIC:
MALEFIC roared onto the Atlanta metal scene in 2007 with ambitions to modernize the black metal genre. With their tight riffs, tasty leads, and relatable lyricism, MALEFIC abandons cliches and defies traditional genre boundaries. Their special blend of black metal, drawing from thrash and death metal influences, appeals to metalheads across subgenres. They count OLD MAN'S CHILD, CARCASS, TESTAMENT, DISSECTION, and OPETH among their most prominent influences, offering a fresh, modern take on metal that is unrivaled in the United States.
Though they are set to release their very first full-length album, Impermanence, in 2025, MALEFIC boasts an impressive live performance history, having played shows with notable bands such as 1349, CRYPTA, and PROFANATICA. After a hiatus in 2009, the band eagerly picked back up where they left off and reformed with a new lineup. MALEFIC initially began work on Impermanence in 2018, taking their time to ensure that every detail accurately reflected their vision for their album. The band's hard work and dedication has culminated in a powerful debut, lovingly crafted by fans of nuanced, boundary-pushing music.
MALEFIC lineup:
Jason Davila - Guitar
Aaron Baumoel - Drums, Vocals
Sam Williams - Guitar
Andy McGraw - Bass
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