I can already hear the sighs from Malthusian‘s fans for leaving out the ‘blackened’ part in the title of this piece. And that’s ok because for their sophomore effort, The Summoning Bell, the name of the game is some of the most sinister and dark death metal the band has ever put forth. The songs here are lean and mean, perfectly trimmed to deliver the deadliest strikes imaginable. AND, the entire album has some serious replay value. Needless to say it has fast become a fave around these parts and we genuinely feel like it’ll do the same for you. Just ahead of release day the band got back to us with their answers to our Profile questions so we could dig around under the hood a little and get to know them. Head below to see how it went down and hit up Relapse Records to grab yourself a copy.

—

How and when did you first get into playing music, or metal more specifically, and how did your band get its start? Any pushback from family/those close to you?

Started playing music when I was about 9 years old, first drums and then guitar. First gig was in 1998. Started playing metal covers a year or two after that. Malthusian got signed off the back of our first gig. We had all put in years of playing in different bands at that stage so we were seasoned. Family were always supportive but it wouldn’t have made a difference if they weren’t.

How would you describe your band and what you play to someone who is completely in the dark?

Unhinged, punishing, trancelike.

Is there one (or more) thing about your latest / upcoming album or about your band that no one will find in any interview or review that you care to divulge?

No, I’m afraid there is no scoop here. Everything we wish to discuss has been addressed at one point or another.

Any funny stories from playing shows / tours / festivals, etc?

None that can be discussed for moral and/or legal reasons. There have been plenty of ups and downs throughout the 12 years of the band. Some hilarious, some not so much.

What do you see as some of the great things happening in and around the metal scene (yours or just in general) and what are some of the worst things happening right now?

A doubled edged sword in the over saturation of bands at the moment. A lot more work to wade through the endless sea of mediocrity to find good releases but with that when you find a gem, it makes it all the more worth while. The worst things have to be streaming sites ripping off the lower level musicians and the advent of AI music. A tumultuous time to be a music fan in general but it will only get worse before it gets better, if that even happens.

Most folks have passions for a cause or causes that are close to them. What, if any, are some of the most important issues (social/political/humorous/etc.) for you / your band and how do you insert those issues into your music?

We all have many varying personal beliefs and passions but they do not have any influence or place in the band. We have no interest in bringing those outside issues into the band. It is a refuge from any such noise.

Do you guys have day jobs or hobbies you want to share?

Yes, we all have day jobs and hobbies. TMK is a cosplay enthusiast, FB is a semi-professional bowler, JK washes ducks at weekends and I fly kites competitively.

What advice do you have for music critics and outlets out there? How can we all better serve the genre in the eyes of a hard-working musician?

Stay away from clickbait, sensationalist bullshit that seems to be becoming more prevalent in recent years. Leave that to the tabloids. Focus on the music.

Any specific long term goal(s) in mind?

I hope to stay alive for a little while longer.

When you’re not obsessing over your own material, what are some of your favorite albums to listen to currently? (Feel free to include non-metal)

New albums by SexMag, Necromaniac, Forbidden Temple, Mephitic Corpse, Pissgrave, Teitanblood and Mortual are all getting plays at the moment. In addition to that, there is an endless amount of classics, in a wide array of genres, that are never too far from the deck.

What is the near future outlook for you or your band? Any specific events on the horizon that the masses should be aware of?

Getting back to playing gigs and breaking brains is our goal for now. Outside of our album release in Dublin in November with Adorior and Hasturian Vigil nothing else has been announced yet.

Summarize your band in one word. (Disclosure: If you use more than one word, we’ll probably just pick our favorite.)

Mangled.

Many thanks to Malthusian for their time!

---

The Summoning Bell will be available August 8 on Relapse Records. For more information on Malthusian, visit their Facebook page.