Malum - Towards Nothingness

Labels: Hellstain Productions

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 18 Apr 2025

Tracklist:

1. In Gloom I

2. Towards Nothingness

I did not think I would get time to write this evening, but there's always time to write about (and listen to) music, which is the mantra I need to live by again going forwards. My time has been eaten up by other things far too often recently. After putting together a rough review schedule at the beginning of the month, I became acutely aware that I had only covered two of those releases and quite frankly, writing one review a week didn't sit well.

Enter stage left, Norwegian black metal band Malum. They formed in Oslo in 2020 and have been very productive since their 2022 debut EP Ad Mortem, as they have released new music every year since, beginning with their first full-length album In Nauseam in 2023, followed-up by a split release with international black metal band Impia Maleficencia in 2024. Their newest EP Towards Nothingness was released in April of this year via Hellstain Production.

I have no qualms about playing music loud this evening, given how noisy my neighbours have been in recent days (first world problems, sorry!). ‘In Gloom I’ begins without any hesitation, presenting black metal that’s both atmospheric and ice cold. The way the vocals sit deep in the mix as the percussion and guitars take hold, before they rise to a more dominant position later on gives a different perspective on Malum’s sound. The switch from a breathy/earthy sound to something heavier is to be expected with the Norwegian brethren but here it seems to flow in a much more coherent way.

EP title-track ‘Towards Nothingness’ concludes it in majestic fashion (if that were possible in black metal!). The metallic opening really hits the spot and that dynamic continues as Malum deliver their measured take on the sub-genre once again. Straddling the line between exquisitely listenable and raw unlistenable black metal can sometimes be very fine, but Malum sit in the former camp in my opinion. The recording, production, mixing and mastering on this EP stand out a lot more than I had initially expected.

This EP is a great listen and even though it only contains two songs, there is more than enough to reel you in as a listener. Malum’s approach to black metal is one that should be admired. 

You can stream and purchase the EP digitally from Malum's bandcamp page below:-

Malum Instagram - @norwegian_malum

CD copies are available to purchase from Hellstain Productions here:- https://hellstain.eu/collections/hellstain-releases

Hellstain Productions - https://www.facebook.com/HellstainProductions