Malefice
Encyclopedia
Malefice are a British heavy metal
band from Reading
, Berkshire
, England, formed in 2003.
Then in early 2007 they signed to Anticulture Records
. They then recorded their debut album 'Entities' under the production team of Dan Weller and Justin Hill of WellerHill at Craig's parents home in South Wales. The album has been highly praised by the British Metal Press. The band recently announced their amicable split from the Anticulture label via their myspace page.
Since the albums release they have been support for the successful SikTh
tour and the latest DevilDriver
and God Forbid
and have played shows with the likes of Soulfly
.
In January 2008, they played a show at The Wedgewood Rooms
in Portsmouth
, which was recorded, and is due to be released as the band's first ever DVD.
In June 2008, Malefice opened the second stage of the prestigious Download Festival
on the Saturday.
November 2008, Malefice announced through their Myspace page that they had signed a worldwide deal with Metal Blade Records
. In February 2009 they released their second album Dawn of Reprisal
. On September 12, they played at Butserfest
alongside Go:Audio
and We Are the Ocean
.
On September 26, 2009, they played in India at the annual cultural fest "Rendezvous" of IIT Delhi
.
In March 2010 the band featured on the BBC TV show "The Bubble
". Host David Mitchell
(known for his disinterest in all forms of music) jokingly declared them his "favourite band". The following month it was announced that drummer Craig Thomas had left the band, to be replaced by Chris Allan-Whyte.
Following this Malefice also played on the Jager stage at Sonisphere UK, playing a 30 minute set on Saturday evening
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from Reading
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
, England, formed in 2003.
Band history
They were formed by friends at college (The original members consisted of Dale Butler, Alex Vuskans, Craig Thomas and Craig Fenner) and started to write their songs straight away. Their first major break was to open a four band bill charity gig at the Rivermead Centre in Reading. From then on their fanbase began to grow. Through constant touring around Reading and London, they managed to get a distribution deal for their first EP 'Relentless' through Hangman's joke.Then in early 2007 they signed to Anticulture Records
Anticulture Records
Anticulture Records Ltd is a record label based in Northampton, England which deals mostly with heavy metal music.The first release for Anticulture was Gutworm's 'Ruin The Memory' album in April 2004.-Artists:* ArnoCorps...
. They then recorded their debut album 'Entities' under the production team of Dan Weller and Justin Hill of WellerHill at Craig's parents home in South Wales. The album has been highly praised by the British Metal Press. The band recently announced their amicable split from the Anticulture label via their myspace page.
Since the albums release they have been support for the successful SikTh
SikTh
Sikth were a progressive metal band from Watford, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.-Early days:SikTh formed in late 1999, but consolidated their line-up in March 2001...
tour and the latest DevilDriver
DevilDriver
DevilDriver is an American heavy metal band from Santa Barbara, California, formed in 2002. The band was originally named Deathride, however, due to copyright issues and the name being taken by several bands, Deathride changed its name to DevilDriver, which refers to bells Italian witches used to...
and God Forbid
God Forbid
God Forbid is an American heavy metal band formed in 1996 in East Brunswick, New Jersey.-Biography:Building up a following in the late 1990s by touring with bands such as GWAR, Nile, Cradle of Filth and Candiria, God Forbid's first full album Reject the Sickness was released by 9 Volt Records in 1999...
and have played shows with the likes of Soulfly
Soulfly
Soulfly is a heavy metal band formed in 1997 based in Phoenix, Arizona. The original lyrical content revolved around spirituality and religious themes, with later albums encompassing other themes including war, violence, aggression, hatred and anger. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max...
.
In January 2008, they played a show at The Wedgewood Rooms
The Wedgewood Rooms
The Wedgewood Rooms is a venue, in Southsea , Hampshire, UK, that hosts music and comedy events.It has a capacity of 450-500 people, and is located on Albert Road in Southsea. Recently it has hosted events from up-and-coming British pop and rock artists, such as You Me At Six, Kasabian, Mercury...
in Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
, which was recorded, and is due to be released as the band's first ever DVD.
In June 2008, Malefice opened the second stage of the prestigious Download Festival
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
on the Saturday.
November 2008, Malefice announced through their Myspace page that they had signed a worldwide deal with Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
. In February 2009 they released their second album Dawn of Reprisal
Dawn of Reprisal
Dawn of Reprisal is the second album by Malefice released in February 2009 on Metal Blade Records, produced by WellerHill.-Track listing:# "The Midas Effect" - 3:47# "Abandon Hope" - 4:03# "An Architect of Your Demise" - 4:13# "End of Days" - 4:15...
. On September 12, they played at Butserfest
Butserfest
Butserfest is a festival created by East Hampshire District Council. This music festival is targeted at young people aged 14-20 and is an alcohol/drug free event. It has become an annual event due to its success in 2007. It is held on Butser Hill opposite Queen Elizabeth's Country Park near...
alongside Go:Audio
Go:Audio
Go:Audio were an English pop rock band from London, England. The band's sound implemented influences from pop punk and electro pop, often using synthesizers and programming tools. Additionally, they were also noted for not using a bassist...
and We Are the Ocean
We Are the Ocean
We Are the Ocean is a 5 piece post-hardcore band from Loughton, Essex, England.The band has played hundreds of shows since their formation, including several festivals during 2008 such as Slam Dunk, Offset Festival, Middlesbrough Music Live, and Taste of Chaos...
.
On September 26, 2009, they played in India at the annual cultural fest "Rendezvous" of IIT Delhi
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
The Indian Institute Of Technology, Delhi , commonly known as IIT Delhi or IITD, is a college of engineering in Delhi, India...
.
In March 2010 the band featured on the BBC TV show "The Bubble
The Bubble (UK TV series)
-Further reading:*...
". Host David Mitchell
David Mitchell (actor)
David James Stuart Mitchell is a British actor, comedian and writer. He is half of the comedy duo Mitchell and Webb, alongside Robert Webb, whom he met at Cambridge University. There they were both part of the Cambridge Footlights, of which Mitchell became President. Together the duo star in the...
(known for his disinterest in all forms of music) jokingly declared them his "favourite band". The following month it was announced that drummer Craig Thomas had left the band, to be replaced by Chris Allan-Whyte.
Following this Malefice also played on the Jager stage at Sonisphere UK, playing a 30 minute set on Saturday evening
Band members
Current members
- Dale Butler - Vocals
- Ben Symons - Guitar
- Andrew "BIG GINGER BEARD" Wilson - Guitar
- Tom Hynes - Bass
- Chris Allan-Whyte - Drums
Former members
- Lloyd Griffiths - (2003-2006)
- Craig Thomas - Drums (2003–2010)
- Alex Vuskans - Guitar
Recordings
- 2006 - RelentlessRelentless EPRelentless is the first recorded release from Malefice, a British thrash metal/melodic death metal band from Reading, Berkshire. The EP was released through the small independent label Hangmans Joke.-Track listing:# "The Force That You Fear" – 3:55...
(Hangmans Joke) - 2007 - EntitiesEntities (album)Entities is the debut album from Malefice, a British thrash metal/melodic death metal band from Reading, Berkshire. The album was released 20 August 2007 and was produced by Justin Hill and Dan Weller of UK band SikTh....
(Anticulture RecordsAnticulture RecordsAnticulture Records Ltd is a record label based in Northampton, England which deals mostly with heavy metal music.The first release for Anticulture was Gutworm's 'Ruin The Memory' album in April 2004.-Artists:* ArnoCorps...
) - 2009 - Dawn of ReprisalDawn of ReprisalDawn of Reprisal is the second album by Malefice released in February 2009 on Metal Blade Records, produced by WellerHill.-Track listing:# "The Midas Effect" - 3:47# "Abandon Hope" - 4:03# "An Architect of Your Demise" - 4:13# "End of Days" - 4:15...
(Metal Blade RecordsMetal Blade RecordsMetal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
) - 2011 - Awaken the TidesAwaken the TidesAwaken the Tides is the third album by Malefice released in July 2011 on Metal Blade Records, produced by WellerHill.-Track listing:# "Awaken the Tides" - 4:43# "Delirium" - 4:13# "Dead in the Water" - 3:49# "Minutes" - 5:29...
(Metal Blade RecordsMetal Blade RecordsMetal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
)