Formed last year as a one-man project by Lucas Di Mascio, MALACODA is hailing us from Ontario, Canada. Brining a blend and a mixture of genres based around Prog Metal, Rock and even some Doom Metal path well-packed into a thematic chapter, they released their first self-titled manifest "Malacoda", in April, this year.

"Malacoda" starts off with a fine darkly veiled and clouded intro within "Abandon All Hope", as a track numero uno, is one of the lays that will most surely make you like them; "Darken Rock" if there is such a thing, is something I'd add while explaining my notes about this song. Melancholic and heavy tune fused into deep and rough vocaling by Lucas are making a perfect blend. "Cutting" is one of those songs I don't like to write about; the alikeness and the similarity is way to big then I would to hear, mainly because the main riff and the vocal are almost the same as are recorded in lay number one. "Vexation" - thing I was waiting to hear, here, my good folks, lies all the gold this four-some is carrying, the talent and radius of their knowledge, inovation and uncommon approach. In some moments of this chant I almost thought I am listening to some Progressive Rock band with Marlyn Manson on vocals, and the main and top point of this gloomy accomplishment are vocals (and I say in plural because you'll hear the "duality" in main refrain,just wait for it). "Cruel Departure", indeed it does sound as sad as the name says - some kind of Alternative Rock, Progressive Metal and in some spots I even hear Shoegaze echoing the place, yet again the wistfulness and all the greyness is present and something I cannot skip nor push away; even though this song may sound happy to you, I cannot submit that, it is something semi-sad and semi-joyful. "Lamia" is something we all will connect to TOOL; sounds pretty decent and quite relaxing, this combo of drums and bass guitar will make a numb and morningful atmosphere. Now, I must say, I waited for this song to appear, finally the energy is bumping out, yet sadly, it came as an exit point of the album - "Outback". Stir of growling and clean, a deep clean vocal, and skillful guitar is another mark in the line this band will surprise you with. Here and now you can see my point I've been telling you this whole time - the diversity.

My personal option is this album has quite things to offer. Well-made structure with a lot of goods and gears, the formatting and the frame fit into a spectar, a decent quality and quantity. Bravo.