Malum - Devil's Creation

Nearly two years to the day arrives Devil's Creation, undoubtedly MALUM's most unique album to date. Whereas its predecessor (and its predecessors before that) exuded the "freezing fire" paradigmatic of classic Finnish black metal, Devil's Creation more so weaves a dark 'n' dreamy mysticism that's no less powerful and poignant. For one, an expertly mixed fog of supernatural synth largely coats their creations here, establishing a new dynamic to the favorably familiar MALUM sound. Similarly, even when the band kick into high gear - and they still do, with devastating effect - there's a clearer, more keening edge: not necessarily "clean" in the conventional sense, but almost sparkling with a bloodied majesty and most definitely with more mystery. Altogether, MALUM make Devil's Creation an authentic throwback to the ancient days of the 1990s, with their melodicism taking on a more medieval flair when set against this thrilling backdrop.