Live Review: Malevolence - Brixton Academy, London
9th November 2025
Support: Speed, Dying Wish,Psycho-Frame
Words & Photos: Tom Atkin
There are heavy shows, and then there are nights like this.
Kicking off the night Psycho Frame wasted no time in turning the venue upside down. Their set was short but impressive. Raw, chaotic hardcore that hit with such force that the pits opened within seconds, and even those still finding their spots were drawn into the mayhem. They set the tone perfectly; this wasn’t going to be a polite evening.
In fact the chaos felt almost immediate, like the band had flicked a switch and ignited the entire room. It just kept coming, there was no let up at all. These guys came to make an absolute statement. By the time they were done, it felt as though even the statues at the venue were wanting to move.
Next up Dying Wish shifted the energy in the room without losing any of the momentum. Emma Boster didn’t just take the stage, she took over it, driving the set with a mix of intensity and emotion that instantly connected with everyone watching. Songs like “Enemies In Red” and “Torn From Your Silhouette” landed exactly how fans hoped they would, carrying that familiar blend of melody and force which the band has become known for.
Their performance wasn’t about big theatrics or over-the-top moments; it was the kind of set that hit you in a way that felt both powerful and strangely personal. There was a real sense of release to it, the crowd feeding off every rise and drop. By the time they wrapped up, Brixton felt like it had been put through something bigger than just another support slot. Definitely a band that an eye needs to be kept on in the future, they’ll be working their way up the schedules soon.
Then came Speed. Whatever sense of calm was left in the room disappeared instantly the moment they kicked in and the atmosphere shifted from lively to absolutely unhinged. Their groove-driven hardcore didn’t just get people moving; it sent the whole venue into a kind of collective surge, the kind of energy you feel more than you see.
The crowd reacted on instinct, bodies in motion, voices raised, the floor alive in every direction. It wasn’t about specific moments or standout riffs; it was the sheer force of the band’s presence that pushed everything forward. Between songs, Jem Siow’s honesty and appreciation added another layer to it all. Hearing him acknowledge how far they’d travelled and how wild the response was made the room feel connected in a way that went beyond the chaos. At one point claiming that they were the worst band on the bill, much to the disagreement of the crowd who at this point don’t think any of the bands can be labelled even slightly bad. His shout of gratitude hit just as hard as the music, and Brixton answered him with full-volume approval.
Before a single note was played, the tone for Malevolence’s set was already legendary, the band were introduced by none other than Alan Ford, who played Bricktop in Snatch, a moment that sent a ripple of disbelief and excitement through the room. By the time the lights cut out and “Blood to the Leech” kicked in, Brixton felt like it detonated from the inside, the reaction was instant, loud, and completely unrestrained.
From there, the set unfolded like a celebration of everything that’s pushed Malevolence to the top of the heavy scene. “Trenches” came early and hit with that familiar punch, followed closely by the crushing run of “Life Sentence” and “Still Waters Run Deep” each track pulling the crowd further into the band’s orbit. The complete set was like a history lesson in Malevolence, with songs pulled from every album of theirs. The swagger of “Self Supremacy” and the weight of “So Help Me God” showing the vast variety that they can bring.
Even the more melodic moments, like “On Broken Glass,” didn’t soften the chaos, giving the night another emotional edge. By the time “Salt the Wound” surged out of the speakers, the venue had settled into a rhythm of nonstop movement, every breakdown swallowed up by a crowd that refused to slow down.
Midway through, the band switched gears with the instrumental “Jam,” a breather in theory but really more of a flex; groovy, tight, and dripping with personality. The pause didn’t last long; “Counterfeit” followed, dragging the entire room straight back into the thick of it.
Alex Taylor held the centre of the stage with ease, speaking with a sincerity that cut through all the noise. When he paused to thank the crowd, telling them they were witnessing a milestone the band had dreamed of since day one, the response was as loud as any breakdown.
The closing stretch lifted things even higher. “Karma” brought another wave of intensity before the encore kicked off. Alan Ford makes an appearance to introduce “Keep Your Distance", the additional touch of having him do these little interludes really brings the night together.
Finishing with “If It’s All the Same to You” wrapped the night perfectly. When the final chord rang out, Malevolence stood back and took in the scene, thousands of voices roaring back at them, the kind of moment bands spend years chasing.
Photo Credit: Tom Atkin
