Redivider - Sounds of Malice

Labels: Third House Communications

Formats: VinylCD/Digital

Release Date: 09 Jan 2026

Tracklist:

1. Quartered & Devoured

2. Sounds of Malice

3. Shackled to Existence

4. Apocalyptic Waste

5. Fratricide

6. Back in the Rot

7. Left to Rot

So much for a bank holiday of rest and relaxation. My head is full of numbers and way too overburdened. I don't know why I do it to myself! That being said, I made time to sort out my record collection too after recent arrivals and I need more space. Maybe I'll eventually add a copy of Redivider's Sounds of Malice to it at some point.

The death metal quintet for Kentucky, United States released their debut album back in January. They originally formed back in 2021 and released a demo the following year, which featured three of the songs that make up this album. Sounds of Malice was released in collaboration with local Louisville, Kentucky label Third House Communications. Let's see how their death metal holds up...

I haven’t been keeping track but it’s been a while since I last featured any US death metal, mainly because I’ve been trying to diversify a bit. Kicking off with ‘Quartered & Devoured’, Redivider go with a sound that’s equal parts thrash, slamming death and Southern drawl. It has a ferociously mean rhythm-section, excellent dual guitars and vocals that offer up squeals, and gutturals alongside a nod to Lamb of God (maybe?).

Next up it’s the turn of the title-track ‘Sounds of Malice’ and it’s a lot more brutal sounding, with pummelling drums, off-kilter time signatures, pinch harmonics and even an epic solo or two. Obviously, that’s not all there is to it and knowing that none other than Dan Swano mastered this album (and let’s not forget the recording work by Michael Kent O’Bryan and Brian ‘Bone’ Thorburn, or the mixing of Paul Nunavath, who is also the band’s lead guitarist), and you can see why it sounds so damn good!

’Shackled to Existence’ has the unique honour of being the album’s longest song but also its most progressive. I’m not sure that’s the right descriptor for it in truth but Redivider pull out all the stops to make it sound as engrossing as it does. I think the gap between the demo and the release of this full-length has been time well spent, as it’s allowed Redivider to truly hone their sound. 

In true thrash/death metal style, there had to be a song here called ‘Apocalyptic Waste’! I say that in the kindest sense because it reminds me of the bands that introduced me to both sub-genres. As a song it doesn’t disappoint with plenty of up-tempo extremity and progression, as well as some good old chugging riffs for good measure.

‘Fratricide’ continues along the progressive vein, using it to make Redivider’s death metal sound even dirtier and more old-school. There’s been such a resurgence in this form of death metal over the last few years and it shows no sign of slowing down. If anything, it should keep on going! I know everything is cyclical and it probably won’t last forever, so best to make the most of it.

Penultimate song ‘Bask in the Rot’ lives up to its title as Redivider delve deeper into the rottenness that prevails in death. While it’s first half is more of a mid-paced crawl, the latter half is punchier for the most part, as percussion builds in tempo and the guitars follow suit. The vocals are still as horrid as they’ve been throughout and ending on a sludgy tipping point is a nice touch.

All of this leads you to album closer ‘Left to Rot’, which is a succinct four-minute blast of everything great about Redivider’s songwriting. The fact that they’ve been working so hard on their songwriting over the last few years, shows how much they care about their craft. To use it to create such a strong first album is even more impressive. 

Some bands exist for decades and write countless albums based on their laurels (you can probably guess who I mean). They’re not even close to being as enjoyable as Sounds of Malice. Hats off to Jacob (vocals), Paul (lead/rhythm guitar), Jake (rhythm guitar), Alexander (bass) and James (drums).

You can stream and purchase Sounds of Malice digitally, and on vinyl below:-

Redivider - https://www.facebook.com/redivider.louisville

Third House Communications - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581503949129