Malachai Announces Third Album 'Beyond Ugly'

Beyond Ugly is the last panel in the band's Ugly triptych and that it was completed at all came as a shock to all concerned, least of all the group.

After the conclusion of the campaign for their second album, Return To The Ugly Side, members Gee Ealey and Scott Hendy drifted apart with no definitive plans to take up arms together.

It was a chance meeting in Bristol that drew the two back into one another's orbit and to the realization that there was some unfinished monkey business. The duo re-engaged slowly and Beyond Ugly began to take shape.

And what a fine shape it is...

Beyond Ugly recaptures the sonic stew of debut album, The Ugly Side Of Love, a potent of brew of post-summer of love and some good ol' Bristol-fashion psychedelic comedown.

However, there's a healthy dose of renewed restlessness and anger emanating from Ealey that permeates the album thanks to some spirited vocal performances, from the anthemic and vengeful soliloquy of "Sweet Flower" to the civilly disobedient "I Deserve To No."

Of course, Malachai isn't a one-man show. As Rakim had Eric B...

Hendy, the duo's musical director, has truly outdone his past efforts and provides a sturdy musical platform from which Rev.

Ealey delivers his sermons, whether the occasion calls for an exotic sturm-und-clang ("I Deserve To No") or a genteel soft-shoe waltz ("Hear It Comes").

Malachai have always enjoyed // suffered the curse of being a "musician's band." Geoff Barrow of Portishead originally released The Ugly Side Of Love on his Invada imprint before Domino swooped in and there was no bigger proselytizer of Malachai's prowess than Sergio Pizzorno of Kasabian.

Both take their support a step further with guest appearances on "Dragons Ball" and "The Love" respectively. Additionally, "Segs" Jennings, bassist from punk legends The Ruts joins the fray on "Sweet Flower."

The album concludes with a montage of hallucinations from across the band's discography before what can be best described as the ominous twilight tranquility of "End." Is this really where the Malachai story ends? As shown by the creative triumph of Beyond Ugly, sometimes it's best not to plan at all and just let it happen.

We'll do our best to let you know when it does.

Beyond Ugly will be released on CD, LP and digitally through Double Six / Domino on April 1 (March 31st in the rest of the world). - via Motor Mouth Media.