Atlanta blackened thrash visionaries MALEFIC have released their new single “In Darkest Dreams,” taken from the band’s long-awaited full length album Impermanence, arriving February 13, 2026 via Terminus Hate City. As one of the oldest songs in the MALEFIC catalog, originally dating back to the years before 2010, “In Darkest Dreams” has undergone a long evolution to become the fully realized version presented on the record.
The track highlights the band’s increasingly death metal driven approach while still retaining the blackened and thrashy foundation that defines their sound. It is one of the few songs on the album to feature a true chorus, yet it remains progressive in structure, moving through distinct musical chapters that each showcase a different facet of the band’s writing. The middle breakdown section emphasizes the group’s command of shifting rhythms and tight, precise playing, eventually building into a ripping guitar solo by Sam that captures his growth and confidence as a lead player.
Lyrically, “In Darkest Dreams” reflects an earlier era of MALEFIC. The words were initially written by Cory after Devin left the band, and later revised slightly by Aaron to fit the larger narrative arc of Impermanence. The imagery leans heavily into the horror influences that colored the band’s early years, telling the tale of a reaper-like figure whose presence drives the song’s bleak atmosphere. Although the lyrics occasionally veer into abstract territory, the band acknowledges that they maintain a certain cool, visceral quality that fits the track’s history. The chorus in particular remains one of the few lyrical elements to survive from the early days, believed to have been preserved even after the rest of the original lyrics were lost.
The rhythmic overhaul of the song represents an important part of its evolution. With a drum approach shaped by thrash, high speed technical metal and progressive rock, Aaron sought to avoid monotony by frequently shifting the pulse within the same riffs. The early versions of the song relied more heavily on ad-libbed vocal patterns and less structured drumming, so the updated arrangement brings a tighter and more intentional rhythmic feel. Even the chorus sparked debate during recording about whether it should remain upbeat for its entire duration, and the final version reflects a compromise that preserves the song’s energy while serving the tension and release of the overall arrangement.
MALEFIC’s history stretches back to 2007 when the original lineup first emerged in the Atlanta extreme metal scene. After a hiatus beginning in 2009, the band reconvened in 2015 and has moved forward at full speed ever since. Their sound blends technical precision, a tightly locked rhythm section and a keen sense of groove into a modern, aggressive take on melodic death metal that stands apart from their peers in the United States. The creation of Impermanence began in late 2018 and faced numerous challenges as lineup changes forced re-tracking, rewrites and complete remixes of material that had already been considered finished. Despite the setbacks, the band views the album as the culmination of years of dedication, refinement and persistence, and as a definitive statement of what MALEFIC represents.
About MALEFIC:
MALEFIC roared onto the Atlanta metal scene in 2007 with ambitions to modernize the black metal genre. With their tight riffs, tasty leads, and relatable lyricism, MALEFIC abandons cliches and defies traditional genre boundaries. Their special blend of black metal, drawing from thrash and death metal influences, appeals to metalheads across subgenres. They count OLD MAN'S CHILD, CARCASS, TESTAMENT, DISSECTION, and OPETH among their most prominent influences, offering a fresh, modern take on metal that is unrivaled in the United States.
Though they are set to release their very first full-length album, Impermanence, in 2025, MALEFIC boasts an impressive live performance history, having played shows with notable bands such as 1349, CRYPTA, and PROFANATICA. After a hiatus in 2009, the band eagerly picked back up where they left off and reformed with a new lineup. MALEFIC initially began work on Impermanence in 2018, taking their time to ensure that every detail accurately reflected their vision for their album. The band's hard work and dedication has culminated in a powerful debut, lovingly crafted by fans of nuanced, boundary-pushing music.
MALEFIC lineup:
Jason Davila - Guitar
Aaron Baumoel - Drums, Vocals
Sam Williams - Guitar
Andy McGraw - Bass
