MALIST – Of Scorched Earth

We already have an album to kick off the year. Among early 2024 releases, Of Scorched Earth by Malist stands out as a top contender.

 

Nick Kholodov, aka Ovfrost, leads this one-man Russian project with a strong track record—five albums in five years. Each showcases his sharp talent in both performance and composition. Black metal requires creative structure, especially when blending keyboards or acoustic guitars to heighten melody and atmosphere. Despite a few weaker moments, Ovfrost delivers from the start. With this release, he reaches a milestone that could help him break out of the underground.

 

So far, this Moscow artist has stayed mostly underground. His varied style, influenced by Emperor, Dissection, Borknagar, and Obtained Enslavement, deserves more recognition. This album, though, could change that. The opener, The Lone and Level Sands, hits with Scandinavian-style intensity—classic Norwegian tremolo riffs and crisp screams. The energy softens in slower sections, featuring acoustic guitars and sharp bass lines. A melancholic mood pervades the album, especially in Ode to the Night, where keyboards provide the backbone. Drums strike less aggressively than earlier, while guitars create dreamy melodies—a mental trip that keeps you hooked. With The Ship, the tempo rises, following an ambient intro with ocean waves and sweeping guitars. The album’s second half brings heavier tracks. Even when Ovfrost lingers, he delivers a memorable sequence: Wind of Change, Carry Me, Rotting into Primal, and the closer Clad in Black and Gold. These longer tracks still make a strong impression, balancing emotion and intensity without diluting the album’s essence.

 

Of Scorched Earth is a true surprise: its revivalist sound is never predictable or recycled. Ovfrost proves a skilled multi-instrumentalist and vivid interpreter of the genre, keeping the music dynamic.