In 1992 Malevolent Creation had easily one of the greatest death metal line-ups of the time, consisting of vocalist Brett Hoffmann, Phil Fasciana & Rob Barrett on guitars, Jason Blachowicz on bass and drummer Alex Marquez. This quintet recorded and album considered by many to be one of the finest recordings in the underground in the early 90s; Retribution. Since then the band has underground countless line-up changes, until the point where only Phil Fasciana remained. In 1998 Phil was able to get Hate Plow band mate Rob Barrett, who had recently quit Cannibal Corpse, to join him, along with bassist Gordon Simms for the latest Malevolent Creation epic. After talking former vocalist Brett Hoffmann into rejoining the group, they turned to ex-drummer Dave Culross, who’d recently been thrown out of Suffocation to appear on the new album. Finally the new ‘old’ line-up had been completed and together this highly talented group recorded and released their latest full-length The Fine Art Of Murder. The majority of the music on the new CD was written by Fasciana, so at least I know who specifically to blame for this pile of elephant shit. The music can be described in a single word: boring. A second word can be used for added effect: unoriginal. Basically take the early Malevolent Creation material, take away all of the elements that made it good and there you have what is on this waste of plastic. The production is beyond bad, then again what has Brian Griffin produced that isn’t terrible? The drumming is unimaginative and bland, then again given the fact that Culross came in at the last second to do the drumming on this album it’s no wonder it’s not as good as everyone knows he can play, even if he is a total limp-dick for leaving Suffocation high and dry mid-tour. Is there even bass guitars on this thing? If there is it’s hidden pretty well. Finally, we must get to the return of Mr Hoffmann to the group. I have to admit I was happy to hear he returned as I found his vocals to be amazing when he was first with the band. I guess years of drug abuse has fried his brain and made him unable to do a decent growl anymore. I personally think Malevolent Creation should just retire now, either that or get rid of Fasciana or get him to drop his ego at least. You don’t go through that many members that quickly without someone being the cause of it and I think that blame can be pointed squarely at Phil. Pick up some early Malevolent Creation or check out Divine Empire which consists entirely of former Malevolent Creation members who were either thrown out or left, they totally destroy this pathetic release. The band should retire and go back to doing what they do best; snorting coke.

Written By: Teufel