I purchased this peculiar cassette long ago now, and still remain dumbfounded by its sinister notions. Malhavoc, as best as I can describe them, are like a more industrialised Swamp terrorists, the band fronted by the mysterious James C., the band known for their bizarre stage antics such as appearing naked and performing self-mutilation. Grim stuff, and such morbid obsessions and fascinations bleed through this album, 'Punishments' samples the David Lynch movie 'Blue Velvet', thrashy riffs chug along, cyber-beats provide the back drop and vocally it's an obscure, muffled rasp. 'Woodwitch' uses a wonderfully creepy sample amid cyber-chugs, the lyrics breathe menace. 'Release' opens with an almost beautiful symphonic chug that only a band of Celtic Frost's stature could invent, vocally it's a Mike Patton circa the more obscure sections of 'Angel Dust'. Malhavoc are neither here nor there but remain completely fossilized in a dark void of cold blackness, churning out industrialised metal noise and avant-garde thrash that should appeal to most people with an open mind. At times insane, usually always intense and a touch bewildering for those brought up on traditional metal.
7/10
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