EPK – Malice Divine – Everlasting Ascendancy (2023)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
“I am incredibly excited to finally have the sophomore Malice Divine album “Everlasting Ascendancy” released out into the world! With this album, I am aiming to have the listener feel empowered and inspired to go after what they want in life and not settle for less. The message of Malice Divine is one of empowerment and that message can be found throughout all 8 tracks on Everlasting Ascendancy in some shape or form. I poured my heart and soul into this album, which will be apparent both musically and lyrically. Despite the music obviously being extreme metal, that doesn’t stop me from writing about very personal matters. A lot of the songs on this album have complex song structures, but there is also a lot of catchiness and melody to make this album a very memorable listen, nonetheless. All in all, I am incredibly proud of this album, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it!” – Ric Galvez – Malice Divine
For fans of Dissection, Immortal, Watain, Thulcandra, Skeletonwitch
Album Title: Everlasting Ascendancy
Release Date: January 27th, 2023
Label: Self-Release
Facebook.com/malicedivineband | Youtube.com/malicedivine | Instagram.com/malicedivineofficial
Malicedivine.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music
Pre-Save the album here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/malicedivine/everlasting-ascendancy-2
Pre-Save the single Silenced Judgement, to be released December 16th, 2022: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/malicedivine/silenced-judgement-2
Pre-Save the single / title track Everlasting Ascendancy, to be released January 6th, 2023: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/malicedivine/everlasting-ascendancy
“Malice Divine hop back and forth between coming off like a death metal band doing covers of stuff they’ve recorded as a black metal band and coming off like a black metal band doing covers of stuff they’re recorded as a death metal band.”- Decibel Magazine
“Whether you’re into death metal, progressive metal, or epic metal, this album ticks all of those boxes effortlessly.” – Powerplay Magazine
“What exactly does Malice Divine bring to the table? Judging from “In Time” alone, the project brings a great cornucopia of gripping riffs, virtuosic soloing, constantly dynamic rhythms, harrowing vocals, and a talent for interweaving variant melodies that turn out to be memorable, as well as an ability to make such kaleidoscopic music both cohesive and catchy. The opening sequence of riffs begins to establish the pattern, shifting from sensations that are slow, dismal, and perilous to spidery and feverish, and then to cold and cruelly deranged. But that’s just the start of this dark but exhilarating piece.” – No Clean Singing
“My time with Malice Divine has shown me that Ric Galvez is a talented vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, and fans of blackened and/or melodic death metal are highly encouraged to check it out. Malice Divine has planted their flag squarely on my radar, and I’m excited to see what Galvez comes up with on the next go-around.” – Angry Metal Guy
“Black Metal, Thrash Metal, Death Metal thrown into an insane blender of savage brutality\m/ \m/” – Heavy New York
“his self-titled debut is a very guitar-centric slab of Black/Death that sounds like a mixture of Dissection’s melodic sensibility with Skeletonwitch’s relentless energy. The playing is as sharp and precise as you’d expect it to be, and some of the leads are really superior…” – The Metal Crypt
“While “Triumphant Return” is one of the more upbeat tracks on the album, it’s still packed with deliciously heavy riffs, blast beats, and demonic vocals, all from the mind of Ric.” – Gear Gods
“Throughout, it is sufficiently complex and convoluted to keep your attention with no shortage of impressive leadwork bursts.There are several standout tracks for me, the insanely driving but majestic ‘Quantum Manifestation’, the dark and intense ‘Malicious Divinity’, the darkly melodic ‘Triumphant Return’ and the dark driving ‘In Time’ with its soaring leads. ‘Malice Divine’ should appeal to fans of Dissection, Immortal and Wintersun. With stunning cover artwork that reflects the colour and mood of that previously mentioned album, Dissection’s Storm of the Light’s Bane, hinting as to what to expect from the contents… This is yet another inspiring example of time during the COVID-19 pandemic being put to good use by a skilled and dedicated Metal musician.” – Metal Talk
“It’s a very impressive album and has to do a lot to catch my attention who isn’t into a ton of black metal. The songs are bigger, packed with more atmosphere and instrumentation (like the classical guitar interludes on this track) and are obviously heavy songs. This track (“Into Subconscious Depths”) is no different and takes no prisoners encompassing on a wild journey that will take you to places you never expected to.” – Technical Music Review
“Fans of death, thrash and black metal will find enough to feast on, with the likes of ‘Quantum Manifestation’ and ‘Malicious Divinity’ serving up a white-hot cornucopia of fast riffing and fretboard mania. The severity of Galvez’s harsh vocal delivery deserves mention here as an unexpected delight. His throat abrasions take the head voice of black metal and the rasp of a death metal guttural and always sound urgent and expressive… There’s no doubt Ric Galvez passes with flying colours as a multi-instrumentalist on his debut album.” – Scream Blast Repeat
“Whether it is in the form of a sharp, icy riff or expressive and flamboyant lead solo, Galvez knows what he is doing and delivers some juicy material in the process. I also love the inclusion of some classical guitar sections, albeit sparingly used to ensure maximum impact… In summary, ‘Malice Divine’ is an incredibly solid and charming record that I have liked getting to know in some detail. Ric Galvez is not the finished article by any means but the music on this debut solo effort demonstrates that he has the skill and talent to take this project even further and garner plenty more fans in the process. I have a soft spot for melodic blackened death metal and this is one of those records that firmly reminds me just why that’s the case.” – Man of Much Metal
“Malice Divine still has a solid mission statement of a debut album, with a composure to its songwriting and ear-catching nature to the riffs that should be a welcome addition to the collections of those who worship at the altar of old-school melodic black metal.” – Metal Bite
“The eponymous album is a mesh of black and death metals with a lot of impressive guitar work, including a guitar tone as crisp and clean as the rural winter air that invaded my Sanctuary of Sweat.” – Brutaltopia
“a shreddy melodic form of polished, surgical, blackened, technical death metal that’s in line with the likes of Inferi and such.” – Teeth of The Divine
“There’s just so much to enjoy in this one (In Time). Guitar solos? Check. Awesome death metal riffs? Check. Classical guitars? Also check. This is a really well-crafted track that will keep you engaged throughout it’s 8 minute runtime.” – Abrasive Noise
“Thrillingly speedy, highly emotional acoustic or melancholically indulgent – with MALICE DIVINE every note is in the right place and despite the overlong songs, there is never the slightest bit of boredom, because captivating, brilliantly presented Black/Thrash/Death with an experimental or slightly progressive flavor reigns here. This first (fire)work comes as a surprise and heralds the year 2021 with a bang!” – Nocturnal Hall
“MALICE DIVINE lays a playful elegance on the scales that suggests great things.” – My Revelations
[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]
Album Title: Everlasting Ascendancy
Release Date: January 27th, 2023
Label: Self-Release
Track Listing:
1. Silenced Judgement (4:10)
2. Apparitions Of Conquest (8:22)
3. Usurping The Paragon (6:07)
4. At One With Infinity (6:06)
5. Parasitic Demons (5:39)
6. Reclaimed Strength (5:31)
7. Illusions Of Fragmentation (8:39)
8. Everlasting Ascendancy (8:10)
Album Length: 52:44
Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Malice Divine
• All songs written by: Ric Galvez
• Produced by: Tyler Williams
• Mixed by: Tyler Williams
• Mastered by: Jamie King
• Album Artwork by: Eka Saputra (Psychopart)
• Canadian Content (MAPL)
Album Band Lineup:
Ric Galvez – Vocals/Guitars/Bass
Dylan Gowan – Drums (Session)
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The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
The album is a dynamic experience while also being an overall more aggressive album than the first one, especially in the vocal delivery. There is still plenty of melody and classical guitar sections, which is a major part of Malice Divine’s sound. The solos on this album are even more virtuosic than before as well. Lyrically the album explores themes such as the paranormal, revenge, determination, spirituality, and reclamation. Two of the eight songs on this album are quite old, even older than most of the music on the self-titled debut album. The music for Silenced Judgement and Illusions Of Fragmentation was written in 2014 and 2015 respectively.
Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)
1. Silenced Judgement: The shortest song on the album, as well as the oldest. I originally wrote the music (except for the guitar solo) back in early 2014. The lyrics and the guitar solo I wrote in 2021. It’s a very straightforward and energetic song and kicks off right away, which is exactly how I wanted to start this album.
2. Apparitions of Conquest: The darkest song on the album, as well as the album’s second longest song. Lyrically this song is about the paranormal phenomena of apparitions but from their perspective. After around 5 and a half minutes of unrelenting metal, there is a . where it remains until the end. There is a total of 4 guitar solos in this song.
3. Usurping The Paragon: The fastest song on the album, as well as the fastest Malice Divine song yet. At 218 BPM, this one will incite some insane mosh pits when performed live. This is also the most aggressive Malice Divine song yet as well. It has 3 guitar solos, the first of which was improvised in the studio. Lyrically the song is about becoming the best at what you do.
4. At One With Infinity: The most mid-tempo song on the album. It offers a nice change of pace from the album’s first 3 songs which are all fast-paced ragers. This one is also most likely the grooviest song on the album as well. After the second chorus the songs into some adventurous territory by heading to multiple different riffs that don’t repeat themselves. The guitar solo section is also exceptionally epic as well. Lyrically the song is about the immense potential that we have within us to accomplish whatever we want to accomplish, and not letting any limiting beliefs whether from other people or ourselves hold us back.
5. Parasitic Demons: A very energetic and fast song at 210 BPM. After the second chorus/first guitar solo, the song deviates into more adventurous territory with a succession of riffs that do not repeat after they have come to pass. Eventually, the song returns to familiar territory again with the 3rd verse riff at the 4:20 mark. The last chorus of the song is slightly different than the first two. It’s based on the same notes as the first two choruses, but this time its tremolo picked in the lower register of the guitar.
6. Reclaimed Strength: This song is entirely in the key of G Minor, which is something that Malice Divine hasn’t done prior to this song. It’s the lightest and least extreme song of the entire album, but it still has a good energy to it. The song opens with a classical guitar piece, which around the 0:20 second mark has a very melodic guitar solo soar over the top of it. Lyrically, the song talks about taking your power back after unnecessarily giving it away for far too long.
7. Illusions Of Fragmentation: The longest song on the album, as well as the second oldest song too. I originally wrote the music (minus the guitar solos) back in 2015. I had this song shelved for a long time, and when I was writing for this new album, I decided to bring this one out of my vaults. I wrote the guitar solos and lyrics in 2021. This song also has the most classical guitar sections, with it appearing 3 times throughout the duration of the song. Lyrically this song is about coming to the realization that the things you desired for and believed that you needed to make you happy, and content aren’t all that you made them out to be. It was just an illusion. The power to be content was inside you the entire time.
8. Everlasting Ascendancy: The title track of the album. This song summarizes everything that Malice Divine is about. It has uplifting lyrics, fast tremolo-picked sections, groovy and heavy riffs, epic melodies and solos, and a classical guitar piece that concludes the song. As I was deciding on the track list for the album, I knew immediately that this one would be the perfect album closer. It just has that type of vibe that calls to be an album closer. I can definitely see this being one of Malice Divine’s most loved songs.
BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:
1. Ric has a music degree from York University
2. Ric was on Banger TVs “Shredders Of Metal”
3. The music for two of the songs from “Everlasting Ascendancy” were written well before most of the material on Malice Divine’s self-titled debut album. Those two songs are “Silenced Judgement” and “Illusions Of Fragmentation”.
4. A lot of the lyrics for Malice Divine were inspired by Ric’s personal experiences.
5. Malice Divine will finally start to perform live in 2023!
Toronto, Canada’s Malice Divine is a solo project conceived by Ric Galvez, who had always had the dream of being the leader of his own project. He wanted to expand beyond being known as just a lead guitarist, into also being known as a songwriter, vocalist, and frontman. Ric has played in local bands previously and was a contestant on Banger TV’s Shredders of Metal Seasons 1 & 2.
Ric has a major in music from York University, and through Malice Divine he shows off his vocal, guitar, and bass prowess. His lyrics are inspired by psychology, spirituality, as well as personal experiences that involve the overcoming of obstacles and hardships, using the resulting verses as a form of empowerment.
The second offering from Malice Divine, entitled “Everlasting Ascendancy”, will be released in early 2023. Once again it features Ric Galvez on Vocals, Guitars, & Bass, as well as Dylan Gowan (Vesperia, Banger TV) playing session drums. Malice Divine is also currently transitioning from being a solo project into being a band effort, and is set to start performing live in 2023. What people can expect from seeing Malice Divine live is highly aggressive black and death metal-inspired music, with shreddy and virtuosic guitar solos that add a melodic layer that isn’t common in the genre.
Malice Divine’s sophomore album “Everlasting Ascendancy” is set to be released January 27th, 2023.
Album Band Lineup:
Ric Galvez – Vocals/Guitars/Bass
Dylan Gowan – Drums (Session)
Discography:
2023 – Everlasting Ascendancy – LP
2021 – Self-Titled – LP
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