Angry Metal GuyPublic opinion on Moscow’s once one-man black metal project Malist varies quite a lot more than I realized. While several at AMG HQ regarded Ovfrost’s flagship project with a fair amount of praise, others feel most of his material is by-the-numbers melodic black metal. This variation of reception applies album to album as well, which makes pinning down a crowd favorite from Malist’s discography an interesting discussion. I happen to feel Malist are remarkably consistent—albeit somewhat generic—churning out solid slabs of melodic black metal that straddle dour moods and bouncy tunes with poise. Now boasting a full lineup, fleshing Malist out to six fully minted musicians, sixth opus Eternal Echo of the Fall achieves the same feat once more.
Malist remain as reliable as ever. Perhaps a touch bouncier than they’ve been in a minute, recalling the bopping quality of past hits like “Timeless Torch,” Eternal Echo of the Fall opens up with high-energy romps that contrast nicely with their familiar thematic pall. Ovfrost still handles most of the writing here, so long-time followers of the band won’t be caught off guard by Eternal Echo. However, a new vitality blooms in these eight new tracks. As a result of the current band lineup’s various contributions, a sense of immediacy and a burst of vibrancy enlivens everything from songwriting to performance compared to Eternal Echo’s more melancholy predecessors.
Listeners won’t need to wait long to appreciate this refreshing shot of adrenaline. Opening duo “Eternal Echo” and “Through a Distorted Gaze” launch with a blaze hot enough to melt my skin, marking two of Malist’s most successful tracks to date. “Through a Distorted Gaze” especially impresses, boasting a thrashing speed that would feel alien were it not for those trademark emotive leads and weeping melodies that weave in and out of writhing riffs. Slower and more atmospheric items restore that ominous sense of dread and reclusion that listeners expect from Malist at the center of the record, but even longer-form tracks in this space (“Snows of Remembrance”) offer more intensity, chunkier riffs, more accessible melodies, and hooks than usual. These qualities allow latecomers like “To Walk the Path of the Dead” to shine, deftly balancing crushing heft, exuberant pacing, and soaring melodies.
An impressive outing for a band six albums in, Eternal Echo of the Fall’s major fault is that it doesn’t do anything unpredictable or novel, and isn’t so excellent as it is to overcome that shortcoming. Malist competes in a competitive, saturated field, which only makes their task an even greater challenge. Valiant efforts in its high-octane outbursts (“Through a Distorted Gaze,” “Her Dark Backwater,” “Above the Mists of the World”) as well as its more introspective spells (“Snows of Remembrance,” “The Hird”) push hard to propel Eternal Echo to the front of the pack in the context of the band’s own discography. Against their peers, however, Malist haven’t found that intangible quality or that undeniable execution which would make them stand out. Its flat and plastic production doesn’t help matters much. Wholly lacking in low-end body and short on fullness across the midrange, Eternal Echo of the Fall sounds professionally polished but tinny and flimsy, not unlike cheap chrome. It’s not a deal-breaker, and at least all instruments can be heard. Nonetheless, improvements to the frequencies that lost ground in the engineering suite would ensure a sound that gives proper weight to these songs.
As it stands, Eternal Echo of the Fall is more than a competent, but by-the-numbers melodic black metal record. It is, however, not quite memorable or striking enough—nor does it offer a certain level of excitement or originality—to distinguish itself with distinction amongst the horde. Hints of that distinction in its best cuts give me hope that Eternal Echo heralds a new era for Malist, in no small part due to the fresh talent newly inducted into the project. With this in mind, I offer a qualified recommendation to try Eternal Echo. Should you be an existing fan, or a newcomer curious to add another entry into your rotation, you might not be blown away, but you’ll certainly not be disappointed. In a genre as overpopulated with talented musicians and songwriters as this, it’s hard to ask for more than that!
Rating: Good!
DR: 5 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s mp3
Label: Flowing Downward
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: June 12th, 2026
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