They’ve perfected their mix of distorted groove metal, relentless metalcore and vein-bulging hardcore across three albums, the most recent being 2022’s stellar Malicious Intent. They have been blasting out brutal, barrel-chested noise since their original incarnation formed in 2006 (they ‘officially’ became the Malevolence we know today when Alex joined in 2010). Malevolence are a 17-year overnight sensation. If that’s the case, it’s been a long time coming. It all screams ‘band on a serious career upswing.’ Alex’s PS4 is plugged into a wall-mounted TV. The communal space on their tourbus has leather seats and mahogany furnishings.

Luckily, they’re travelling in something approaching comfort. When Hammer meets Malevolence in Prague, they have been on the road with Trivium for nearly two weeks, and they’ve got another month to go (Obituary and Heaven Shall Burn are also on this four-band bill).

“It’s become a thing: that part in the Malevolence set where you get your steps in! Ha ha ha!” “It’s sick that it got the attention it did, but we did it at Ally Pally, Download and Bloodstock,” continues Alex. It’s a week later, and we’re sitting with the singer and guitarists Konan Hall and Josh Baines on the band’s tour bus, parked outside Prague’s Fórum Karlín, where the Sheffield band – completed by bassist Wilkie Robinson and drummer Charlie Thorpe – are due to play in a few hours. “You know what, I’m surprised that it took so long for one of our pits to go viral, because we’ve been doing this for the last two years,” says Alex.

Trivium may have headlined the show, but it’s Malevolence who are grabbing the headlines. Social media timelines are filled with posts of the ‘Can you believe this?’ variety. Within 24 hours, camera phone footage of the scene has gone viral.

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