Brian Smith
Jeff Biehler
TJ Prendergast
Luke Harnden

This Dallas-based four-piece is not some jokey, ham-fisted tribute to popular metal bands like Metallica or Slayer—or even Morbid Angel, Death Angel or Death. Yes, there are plenty of snake-like riffs and rhythmic puzzles—many debts seem owed to Metallica's Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets, At the Gates' Slaughter of the Soul and Mastodon's Leviathan—but they don't come across as mocking or trite. Rather, Maleveller sounds like a band that wants to rock out for hours, and not just a band that wants to be as brutal as possible, something too many metal bands unfortunately strive for. Meanwhile, frontman Brian Smith's voice—the only voice in the band—is more of a shout than a growl. It showcases plenty of strain too, but not the kind of strain one exudes while trying to pass a kidney stone (which is a good thing).  Judging strictly by the band's recent live shows and by this debut EP, Maleveller's off to a promising start indeed.