Buffalo hardcore unit Malfunction have held back nothing on their latest and most ferocious offering, Fear of Failure. Incorporating a number of metallic influences, the band shift gears between rhythmically complex riffing and explosive releases of pent-up energy over the course of the ten-song set.
"Final Thoughts" and "Guilt" are two of the most powerful songs on record, both employing equally devastating slam sections following drawn out build-ups highlighted by eerie feedback, making for violent and brutally satisfying drops. Fear of Failure is nothing short of an all-out assault, but Malfunction haven't completely forsaken melody and intricacy for the sake of aggression — the album is peppered with melodic breaks, the guitars momentarily shifting from their metallic onslaught to layered, melancholic chord progressions. "Sonic" is the best examples of this, an instrumental breather that makes for an interesting moment of contrast.
With Fear of Failure, Malfunction have created a concise set of songs that showcase their strength as a unit and their ability to structure songs in fascinating and new ways that work greatly to their benefit.
(Bridge Nine)"Final Thoughts" and "Guilt" are two of the most powerful songs on record, both employing equally devastating slam sections following drawn out build-ups highlighted by eerie feedback, making for violent and brutally satisfying drops. Fear of Failure is nothing short of an all-out assault, but Malfunction haven't completely forsaken melody and intricacy for the sake of aggression — the album is peppered with melodic breaks, the guitars momentarily shifting from their metallic onslaught to layered, melancholic chord progressions. "Sonic" is the best examples of this, an instrumental breather that makes for an interesting moment of contrast.
With Fear of Failure, Malfunction have created a concise set of songs that showcase their strength as a unit and their ability to structure songs in fascinating and new ways that work greatly to their benefit.