Rockstadt Extreme Fest is bringing one of the most influential metalcore/hardcore bands from England to the Expirat stage – MALEVOLENCE.
For me, this is a pleasant surprise, especially since my Spotify playlist recently includes at least 5 tracks from them. I highly recommend their latest song, “Trenches,” as for me, their lyrics blend perfectly with the melody. Malevolence is the type of band I listen to mostly for the lyrics.
The concert at Expirat Halele Carol is part of their “Live In The Balkans” tour, where they will perform in Greece, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and close out in Romania. They also recently announced their 2025 tour, but unfortunately, it’s only for the USA, where they will be performing with COUNTERPARTS. I hope they bring this tour to Europe next year as well. Also, the fact that they’ve archived most of their Instagram posts might hint at a bigger announcement soon. In my opinion, this could be a European tour, along with the festivals they’ll perform at in 2025. Speaking of festivals, Rockstadt Extreme Fest – could we see these guys again at the 2025 festival? They would be a perfect fit alongside Fit For a King, Thrown, Nasty, and my personal favorites, Attila. Maybe the December 15 concert is a little hint for what’s to come at the 2025 festival. Who knows?
If this is your first time hearing about this band, they can proudly say they appeared on one of the best metalcore albums, “Self-Hell” by While She Sleeps, where they collaborated on the song “Down.” On top of that, Malevolence recently toured with Knocked Loose at various locations in America and, just today, were featured on the cover of the “Metal Scene” playlist on Amazon Music.
Photo Credit: Normandy Photography
Even though they’re a band from Sheffield, England, they’ve focused a lot on the American scene and are among the few bands that have been well-received in that industry, which has helped them evolve significantly. I even recommend other local bands to follow their lead, not necessarily for the musical style, but for their presence on social media and the internet in general. They have a great series of vlogs, a well-curated Instagram page, and excellent communication with their fans.
Malevolence is also a great example when it comes to merch. They offer really cool clothing with fantastic designs that appeal to all kinds of people, and the cassette with their album is a must-have for any collector. I hope to see more merch options available on December 15 at Expirat. I’m not sure if I’ll be there yet, but if anyone could grab a T-shirt for me, please?
Tickets are now available for an early bird price of 80 lei, but they’re almost SOLD OUT. The next wave of tickets will cost 100 lei. Along with the announcement of ticket sales, Rockstadt Extreme Fest also revealed the opening act: Romania’s most popular “modern metalcore” band, Taking Back August.
I’m sure you already know the guys from Taking Back August. They recently released their album Chrysalis, which includes 10 tracks, one of which is a beautiful song in Romanian featuring Cătălin Chelemen. Due to the album, they went on a promotional tour to support their new record, and this summer, they performed for the first time on the stage of Romania’s well-known, rock-metal festival, Rockstadt Extreme Fest 2024.
I was excited to see them announced as the opening act for Malevolence. It seems like a great choice, and they’re one of the few Romanian bands that could warm up the crowd to an optimal level for Malevolence. Now that I’ve put enough pressure on them, I asked the guys from Taking Back August some questions, and I thank them for agreeing to be part of this article.
For me, it was a big surprise to see Malevolence in Bucharest this year, and I really wanted you guys to open for them because, like I mentioned earlier, you’re one of the few bands that can really warm up the crowd for them. So, what does performing at this particular event, alongside Malevolence, mean for Taking Back August?
“Performing at this event alongside a band as influential as Malevolence is an incredible opportunity and a significant milestone for us as a band. It’s not just about sharing the stage with an act we admire, but also about connecting with a passionate audience that appreciates the diversity and energy of live music. For us, it’s a chance to showcase our sound, grow as artists, and celebrate the unity and creativity that define the music community. We’re honored to be part of such an impactful event and excited to contribute our energy to the experience.”
The metal scene in Romania has grown significantly over the years, and events like this are key to bringing international acts to the local audience. By opening for Malevolence, you’re not only performing in front of a large, passionate crowd, but you’re also helping to promote the Romanian metal scene on a broader scale. How do you think this concert will impact the local community, and what do you see as your band’s contribution to shaping the future of metal in Romania?
“This concert has the potential to leave a lasting impact on the local community by bringing people together to celebrate the raw power and emotion of metal music. Events like this foster a sense of belonging and pride among fans while inspiring new generations of musicians to embrace and evolve the genre. As Taking Back August, we see ourselves as contributors to this growing movement in Romania by staying authentic to our sound and pushing creative boundaries. Our goal is to inspire others to take risks in their music, to unite fans with meaningful, high-energy performances, and to prove that the Romanian metal scene has a distinct voice that deserves recognition on the global stage. We’re honored to play a role in shaping that future.”
Considering the intimate setting of a club like Expirat, where every detail in your performance becomes more personal and up close, are there any specific songs or moments within your set that you’re especially excited to share with the audience? Maybe a track that you feel will resonate particularly well with the atmosphere of this venue or a song that holds special meaning to you and your band for this occasion? Additionally, are there any specific ways you plan to emphasize these moments to create a unique experience for the crowd, especially given the hardcore and metalcore vibe of the show?
One song we’re especially excited to share is “Anotimp”. This track has always held a deep emotional resonance for us, and singing it with Cătălin Chelemen from Coma brought an entirely new layer of meaning. His contribution adds such a raw, heartfelt energy that elevates the track to a level that truly connects with anyone in the room. In a space like Expirat, where the crowd is right there with you, that energy becomes almost tangible. The hardcore and metalcore energy of the set will definitely be there, but in those more poignant moments, we want the focus to be on connection—every lyric, every melody, breathing in sync with the crowd. It’s these shifts in intensity that make shows in a venue like Expirat unforgettable, for both us and the audience.
LE:
Take No More has just been announced as one of the opening acts for the event, and I’m genuinely thrilled. I’ve seen them live at least five times in recent years, and every show has been packed with energy and true dedication to the hardcore and punk scene in Romania.
Known for their intense live shows and dedication to the genre, they are the perfect addition to the lineup. With this latest announcement, the show feels complete—everything fits perfectly now that all the bands have been revealed.
via @tnm_100
Take No More is a band with years of experience, recently celebrating their 9th anniversary. They’ve also just released an outstanding new album, A Desperation For Humanity, which is available on all major streaming platforms. I’m already looking forward to my Spotify Wrapped to see their track “50 de Gloante” featuring $uicidjego$ land in my top 10 most-played songs. Honestly, this song is one of the best collaborations I’ve heard this year from the Romanian scene. Is it controversial? Maybe. But I believe we need to normalize this kind of music here and stop throwing hate at someone’s art. Music is music, regardless of the genre.
If we get to hear Take No More’s new track “Blind Leads The Blind” at Expirat on December 15, then it’s every fan for themselves. Just don’t forget the golden rule: if someone falls, stop and help them up. This is what the scene is about—supporting each other and creating a safe space for everyone to enjoy the music.
I’ve been meaning to do this for a long time, and I thought now is the perfect time. I’ve created a Spotify playlist as a pre-show for the December 15th concert at Expirat. The songs are picked by me, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. I also hope they give you the right vibe for the concert. If you have a favorite track from the playlist, drop me a message on Instagram—I’m really curious to know! @mihnea_ene
Event – MALEVOLENCE & TAKING BACK AUGUST & TAKE NO MORE | 15 DECEMBRIE | EXPIRAT CLUB
📅 Rockstadt Extreme Fest – Facebook Event
Taking Back August:
📸 Instagram
🎧 Spotify
Take No More:
📸 Instagram
🎧 Spotify
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Just The Boy With The Camera, 24yo.