Malformed are a death metal band from Finland and this is their debut album.
Confinement of Flesh contains 33 minutes of old-school death metal played in the USDM style and mixed with Finnish darkness. Malformed know their way around a killing field, and this album is very easy to like if you’re a fan of classic death metal.
The songs are brutal and harsh, but counteract this by also using melody and macabre atmosphere. There is a technical edge to Malformed’s songwriting, but they use this to serve the songs, rather than overshadow them. I like the band’s use of melody to help create dark mood and feeling. This enriches the music, providing a chilling, horror-filled atmospheric side to Confinement of Flesh that’s absorbing. Many of the leads deployed across the songs make a mark, especially over time, and there are more than enough meaty solos to satisfy.
Gruesome riffs and malevolent grooves exist alongside fast-paced aggression that bites down hard. The technical claws are drawn back to strike, while the killing blow frequently comes not from one direction, but from the holistic assault that Malformed subject the listener to. Mostly, rather than one part of the music that stands tall over the rest, Malformed make everything work together strategically to overcome their enemies with overwhelming force. This approach makes Confinement of Flesh consistent and enjoyable listen to, as the quality levels don’t dip throughout. There’s no filler, just death metal played well by people that know what they’re doing.
On their first record Malformed have ably demonstrated their skilled balance of death metal components. Confinement of Flesh offers a compelling mix of brutality, riffs, atmosphere, melody, and well-crafted songs.
If you’re a fan of bands such as Blood Red Throne, Broken Hope, Cannibal Corpse, Dying Fetus, Skinless, and Suffocation, then check out what Malformed are doing.
Wonderbox Metal 