MALFEITOR from Rome, Italy is the 2006-born new band of M. Fabban, probably more known from Aborym and as a former member of Void Of Silence. The name of the new ensemble means as much as evildoer and appropriate for that, the band focuses on Satanic Black Metal. Both the music and lyrics may remind the listener of bands like Dark Funeral, Marduk and Immortal back in the nineties. And also the artwork shows that MALFEITOR are somehow soul mates of the above mentioned bands. Unio Mystica Maxima starts with a bit too bold and kitschy intro. Sinister sounds and incantations in Latin lead over to the strong first track Rex Bestia Fera. The song sometimes picks up the theme of the intro and fortunately anything kitschy is swept away immediately. In best old school manner and with raw and primitive sound, Fabban and Co. shred through the first minutes. The next seven tracks consequently follow in that way. Luckily, Unio Mystica Maxima comes up with several unexpected moments, avoiding the danger of getting boring by just running on full throttle. For example, the tracks Jesus Christi To The Lions and Dungeon surprise with clean vocals by Fabban. That’s something you don’t get to listen to very often in this form of Black Metal, I think. In other tracks, MALFEITOR even make use of classic, eighties-style heavy or thrash metal riffing.
Unio Mystica Maxima does not re-invent Black Metal, but combines old school elements and modern Black Metal to a mélange that turns out well. Besides the slightly overdone intro, there is only one more point I don’t like: The cover version of Mysticums Black Magic Mushrooms at the end. In my opinion, that track is simply dispensable. Not because it’s not good played, more because I already did not like the original song.
But anyhow, MALFEITOR delivered a strong debut. I wouldn’t be surprised, if they get a deal for one or more further albums.