MALEVOLENT CREATION – Stillborn (1993) LP Review | Classic Florida Death Metal

Pulse Rating: 9 / 10

"Stillborn" has carried an unfair reputation for decades. Mention it in the same breath as "The Ten Commandments" or "Retribution," and someone will inevitably bring up the production, the label issues, or the supposed "dip" in quality. Owning and revisiting this record on vinyl, especially this 2024 blue transparent reissue, only reinforces my long-held belief: this is one of Malevolent Creation's most disturbing, emotionally charged, and riff-dense statements. Murky? Yes. Weak? Not for a second.

⛤ Genre: Death Metal
⛤ Format: LP – 2024 Blue Transparent Vinyl, Limited Edition, Reissue, Insert
⛤ Condition: Mint
⛤ Price: 30.50€

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🛒 Browse all vinyl in stock

The opening moments of "Dominated Resurgency" still send a chill down my spine. That eerie intro bleeds straight into riffs that feel suffocating rather than flashy, setting the tone for the entire album. This is not a record that wants to impress you with cleanliness or precision — it wants to drag you into something uncomfortable. The production has been criticized endlessly, but to my ears it amplifies the atmosphere. It smothers the instruments just enough to create a sense of dread, making the riffs feel buried and hostile, like they're clawing their way out rather than being presented on a silver platter.

Phil Fasciana’s songwriting here is deceptively simple and brutally effective. The riffs slam, churn, and weave without ever losing their identity. Tracks like "The Way of All Flesh,” "Geared for Gain,” “Carnivorous Misgivings,” and the title track are packed with hooks that stick despite the foggy mix. This is Florida death metal at its most oppressive — palm-muted violence, relentless tremolo picking, and solos that are short, sharp, and emotionally charged rather than indulgent.

malevolent creation in 1994

Brett Hoffmann's vocals deserve far more respect in the context of this album. They’re thinner in the mix compared to "Retribution," yes, but that restraint gives them an eerie, almost spectral quality. His delivery still hits with venom and conviction, sounding less like a frontman performing and more like someone trapped inside the songs. The bass, as with many Malevolent Creation releases, is largely swallowed by the production, but this has never been a band where bass presence defined the experience.

On vinyl, "Stillborn" finally breathes in a way many missed back in the day. The artwork by Dan Seagrave feels inseparable from the sound — bleak, unsettling, and perfectly matched to the album's atmosphere. Holding this reissue, dropping the needle, and letting the record play front to back reinforces why physical formats matter. This is not an album meant to be skimmed or backgrounded. It demands full immersion, patience, and volume.

"Stillborn" is not a flawed album in need of excuses. It is a hostile, unsettling death metal record that suffered from circumstances outside the band's control. Time has been kind to it, and for listeners willing to embrace its darkness rather than fight it, this stands as some of Malevolent Creation’s finest and most character-filled work.

Tracklist

A1 Dominated Resurgency – 3:42
A2 The Way Of All Flesh – 4:23
A3 Dominion Of Terror – 4:32
A4 Geared For Gain – 3:04
A5 Stillborn – 4:44
B1 Ordain The Hierarchy – 2:46
B2 Carnivorous Misgivings – 3:16
B3 Genetic Affliction – 4:41
B4 Ethnic Cleansing – 4:23
B5 Disciple Of Abhorrence – 6:18

Line-up

Brett Hoffmann – Vocals, Lyrics
Phil Fasciana – Guitars, Songwriting
Jon Rubin – Guitars, Songwriting (tracks 2, 4, 10)
Jason Blachowicz – Bass
Alex Marquez – Drums

Guest:
Dave Smadbeck – Keyboards, Samples

Recording & Production

Recorded and mixed digitally at Pro Media Studios, Gainesville, FL
Mastered at Future Disc, Hollywood, CA
Producer: Phil Fasciana
Mixing, Engineering, Recording: Mark Pinske
Mastering: Eddy Schreyer
Cover Art: Dan Seagrave

Official Band Links:
Bandcamp · Facebook · Instagram · YouTube

🔥 For fans of:

Deicide, Morbid Angel, Cannibal Corpse, early Florida death metal

MALEVOLENT CREATION – ITEMS AVAILABLE AT PULSE RECORDS

Item Format Price Condition Order
Malevolent Creation – Australian Onslaught (2022 Double Yellow Transparent Vinyls, Limited Edition, Gatefold) 2×LP 27.00€ Mint Order
Malevolent Creation – Conquering South America (2022 Double Red Transparent Vinyls, Limited Edition, Gatefold) 2×LP 25.00€ Mint Order
Malevolent Creation – The Ten Commandments (2024 Blue Transparent Vinyl, Limited Edition, Reissue) LP 30.00€ Mint Order
Malevolent Creation – Retribution (2024 Blue Transparent Vinyl, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress) LP 32.00€ Mint Order
Malevolent Creation – Stillborn (2024 Blue Transparent Vinyl, Limited Edition, Reissue, Insert) LP 30.50€ Mint Order

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