Musical Style: Heavy Metal	Produced By: Wayde Productions
Record Label: Wayde Productions / Roxx Records	Country Of Origin: USA
Year Released: 1986 / 2021	Artist Website:
Tracks: 7	Rating: 80%
Running Time: 24:23

Three years after being included as part of the double CD Red Sunrise - The Complete Anthology compilation, Malachia 1986 debut EP Under The Blade receives a much needed standalone re-release.  Credit Roxx Records either way, with former in addition to Under The Blade encompassing Malachia full length sophomore effort Red Sunrise from 1987 in addition to the California Metal 2 cut “Runaway” (under the Vision moniker) and a host of demo tracks and lost garage recordings.  Seeing re-issue as a Gold Disc Edition CD in March of 2021, latter features re-mastering from Rob Colwell (Bombworks Sound) and multi-page mini booklet with vintage band photos and write up from bassist Wade Little attributing to Scott Waters (No Life Til Metal graphics).

Malachia approaches from an ‘outside the box’ standpoint when placed alongside much of the ‘hair metal’ of the time.  Fact is there is much more to the group musically, particularly in light of a guitar sound to touch upon traditional heavy metal not to mention dark if not moody vestiges hinting of the Gothic and even light progressive overtones.  When further factoring the three and a half octave range of front man Ken Pike, whom helps invite the Malachia comparison to Queensryche, the picture is complete in terms of the group sidestepping commercial flavor of the month territory and blazing its own musical trail in the process.   

Under The Blade opens to “Heaven Or Hell”, three and a half minutes of rousing metal to feature thickset guitars and towering vocals to speak of the bombastic either way.  Song also allows the decisive Malachia musicianship to stand out, noting the instrumental run to give prominence to Little’s bass solo ahead of Scott Stewart’s technical lead guitar.  Lyric snippet:

I know one day we’ll meet the man
Who walked on the water
And healed with His hands
He spoke to His people
In a loud and might voice
He show us a way
And gave us a choice

As “Heaven Or Hell” slows to several seconds of closing distortion, “Mark Of The Beast” cuts in at once.  What we have is one of albums signature tracks, slower with a driving mid-paced slant in comparison but also heavier in light of its granulating impetus.  Further separating are the sturdy hooks to draw in with immediate listen.  Lyric snippet:

Whereas the first two bring a straight on metal semblance, “Master’s Call” hints of those Gothic to progressive aspects.  Song opens its first two and a half minutes slow and wistful to gently done guitars until tempo abruptly picks up to harsher rhythm guitar with a doom-like rumble.  Back and forth and back and forth again, until impetus peaks for an ethereal instrumental run carried by moving lead guitar.  Lyric snippet:

Time comes and with it darkness
Don’t’ be afraid for what you’ve done
All the years you’ve spent not knowing
That God sent His Son

Don’t worry or be frightened
For what you’re about to see
All the love you’ve ever wanted
He’s waiting for you to receive

Up-tempo, fast and exuding hooks galore, “Let It Go” divulges some of albums catchiest riffs and matches them with a happening bass line and more shredding guitar leads.  Good range exhibited by Ken Pike on this one.  Am I out of line to suggest a slight US power metal lacing to hint of Sacred Warrior or early Jacobs Dream?  Lyric snippet:

Punchy melodic metal to “Red Sunrise” finds Malachia hitting its stride.  Song presents with galloping momentum its span, mid-paced from standpoint of its driving rhythms but equally memorable when factoring the prevalent melody to separate.  This is commercial as it gets far as Under The Blade era Malachia are concerned.  Lyric snippet:

When the morning mist comes to meet your eyes
It’s no surprise you’ve compromised
You lived in fear that the day would come
And the Lord on High wouldn’t save anyone

Bombs blast as they cast shadows on the wall
What once stood tall has come to fall
Warriors fight, can you hear the sound?
The Lord is here, there’s nothing to fear

EP closes to metal anthem “In Christ We Rock”.  Groups press material offers comparison to Kiss’ “Rock And Roll All Night” or Stryper’s “Soldiers Under Command”, and rightly so in light of the front to back adrenaline fueled excitement.  All the ingredients are at hand: arena-rocking mentality, soaring falsettos, shouted backing vocals and hooks to spare.  Lone complaint is the accompanying audience track can distract- wish it had faded out after the first few seconds rather than extending the songs length.   

Malachia debut EP Under The Blade equates to a strong effort from a talented young band.  Yes, I like each of its six tracks - why not add three to four more and make it a full length release? - in addition to the swarthy, straight on metal leanings.  Production might not be up to modern standards, but when factoring it is a self-financed release recorded using mid-eighties technology, it otherwise sounds fine.  I do not own an original vinyl or cassette copy, but I am confident re-mastering improves sound significantly in this regard.  Next up of course is for Roxx Records to also re-release Red Sunrise.  In the meantime, if a fan of the eighties ‘white metal’ scene or any of the styles presented then pick up a copy of Under The Blade while opportunity presents.   

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “Narration” (:15), “Heaven Or Hell” (3:33), “Mark Of The Beast” (3:34), “Master’s Call” (5:03), “Let It Go” (3:13), “Red Sunrise” (3:49), “In Christ We Rock” (3:49), “In Christ We Rock” (4:57)

Musicians
Ken Pike - Vocals & Guitars
Scott Stewart - Guitars
Wade Little - Bass
Bryan Smith - Drums