BODYFARM hailing from Utrecht, The Netherlands were formed in 2009. The Death Metal outfit released two EPs and five full-length albums so far. Their new release “Malicious Ecstasy” was mixed and mastered at Mendelaudio. The album has a length of about 45 minutes, and it was released via Norwegian label Edged Circle Productions, which has many Black and Death Metal bands among their current roster.

 “Malicious Ecstasy” is a little bit of a weirdo release as the length of 45 minutes indicates a full-length release, but in fact, there are only four new songs on it, while the remaining five songs are older live tracks recorded in Krakov, Poland. So, fans who expect a new full-length album will have to be patient, and, in the meantime, they can enjoy the new tracks from “Malicious Ecstasy”.

 The album starts with a punishing pummeling. “Retaliate” is a fast blast-beat hammering combined with crushing guitar riffing and relentless double-bass drumming. The melodies are spine-chilling, and the vocals are very aggressive. The growls are around the medium end of the guttural range. There is a short down-tempo break near the end of the track with screams from the abyss at a headbanging rhythm. Altogether a very strong opener. “Retaliate” has been released as lyric video, and the YouTube link is provided below. “Pervitin” starts like a steam hammer with a stomping rhythm and a blood-freezing melodic framework. There are switches between slow parts, and fast parts. The faster parts are accompanied by blast-beats thunderstorms, while the slow parts are driven by the double-bass. The focus of the track is put on the grim atmosphere, and this works out to perfection.

 “Onward Doomsday” is a fast track with thunderous and very direct riffing. While the verse and chorus parts are played at a high tempo, the transition to the break is mid-tempo, while the break itself slows down again to a measured tempo. There are two very contributing lead guitar solos, and both are the highlights of the song. “Gates Of Malignancy” is a slow song at a head-banging rhythm. The main aspect of the track is again delivering a doom-laden and grim melodic framework and atmosphere to the listener. It works, although “Pervitin” is more effective in that respect. In my opinion, “Gates Of Malignancy” cannot keep up with the other new tracks of the release.

 The remaining five songs are the live songs, and the selected songs represent very well the BODYFARM catalogue. It starts with the title track of the 2019 album “Dreadlord”, followed by the opening track of the 2013 release “The Coming Scourge”. While both are fast bludgeoning tracks, “The Swarm” from the latest album “Ultimate Abomination” is a bone-chiller at a measured tempo and head-banging rhythm. “Charlatan Messiah” is one of the older tracks from the debut album “Malevolence” and it is a pummeling one. The five-track live session ends with “The Dark Age” taken from the 2015 album “Battle Breed”. The quality of the live release is faultless and enjoyable to listen to.

The new release of BODYFARM is a good one. With “Malicious Ecstasy” they deliver four devastating and blood-freezing Death Metal tracks right in the best tradition of BODYFARM. Their approach to Death Metal is direct and very aggressive, but with sufficient technicality to keep the grim melodic sound framework fresh and dynamic. The five live songs are a great additional bonus. The release is well produced. Fans of traditional European Death Metal will be happy with the release, although those who expected a full-length album might be slightly disappointed.