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MALUM – INTERVIEW WITH A.A. (APRIL 2026)

Today we descend into the shadows of Malum, a Norwegian formation from Oslo that has emerged as one of the most intense and existential entities in the current landscape. Their approach blends rawness, atmosphere, and philosophical depth rooted in the second wave, yet filtered through a modern, nihilistic, and deeply introspective lens.

The band has just released their new album “From the Voids” on March 27th, through Dark Essence Records, a sharp, aggressive, and existential work that continues their descent into inner emptiness and absolute confrontation with the void.

🇪🇸Read the spanish version here. Lee aquí la versión en español.

Photos by Necroshorns.

Greetings A.A., this is José Antonio Mingallon from Obsidian Sanctum PR.
With your new album released on March 27th, your presence once again resonates strongly within the Norwegian scene. Based on what we mentioned in the introduction about your identity and your place in today’s Black Metal landscape, how would you describe the essence of Malum to those who may not yet know you?

At its core, Malum is a raw and atmospheric sonic expression paired with lyrics that confront the bleaker aspects of existence, here and now.We operate within a space that is both rooted and deliberately detached. Rooted in the traditions that shaped the genre, yet unwilling to remain confined by them. Too many are still clinging to a sound that served its purpose decades ago, and it really no longer needs repetition. We move toward something more modern, more introspective, and arguably more honest. Whether that resonates or not is irrelevant. We are not here to preserve nostalgia, we are here to confront.
If anything defines Malum, it is refusal of nostalgia, of decoration, of belonging. What remains is colder and more deliberate.
Now that the album has just been released and is beginning to make its way among listeners, how are you experiencing this initial impact? Have any early reactions surprised you—whether from the audience, the press, or the Norwegian scene itself? Do you feel that this release marks a new turning point for Malum, both in your creative evolution and in the way listeners connect with your music?

Nothing has been surprising, only confirming. The album translates as intended. What is more telling is the range of comparisons. Some align with our intentions, others do not—but all reveal how the material is perceived. There are of course parallels to parts of the Polish scene, and at times to newer Norwegian acts. Likely an unconscious result of what we absorb and listen to. This is not a turning point. It is a continuation. Malum does not reinvent itself, it unfolds.
The lyrics on “From the Voids” explore themes such as nihilism, introspection, and the dissolution of the self. How do you approach the lyrical aspect, and how important is philosophy within your music?

All lyrics on From the Voids carry an existential weight. They are, at their core, very personal reflections.
The process begins outside the framework of songs, fragments, texts, observations. Over time, they are distilled into something more precise, aligned with the overarching structure of the album. The record revolves around a certain darkness, or rather a view of life, self deception, meaning and imposed structure. Not as dramatization, but recognition.
Philosophy is embedded. There are traces of Nietzsche, Poe, and Crowley. Not as decoration, but as voices that have already articulated certain fractures with precision.
Your first full‑length “In Nauseam” already surprised me and left a strong impression, but with the arrival of “From the Voids” you have clearly solidified the band’s identity. One can feel the experience, the maturity, and a more defined intention. Your sound blends rawness, melody, and a very marked oppressive atmosphere. Which elements do you consider essential in shaping Malum’s sonic identity?

In Nauseam established the foundation, a clear vision of what Malum is, and what it is not. It was also a process of learning. With From the Voids, that framework was refined. The experience carried forward, strengthened through collaboration with Anders during the recording process, once again shaping the final result through the mix.
Malum’s identity lies in the oppressive atmosphere, where composition, sound, and message function as a unified force. Remove one, and it collapses.
Mediterranean food. Football in Brazil. The automotive industry in Germany. And Black Metal in Norway. All of them share something in common: an exceptional standard of quality. But what is happening in Norway? Why is the level so high every time a new band emerges? Is Norway synonymous with high‑quality Black Metal? Do you think this is due to musical education from a young age, the climate, cultural tradition, or something deeper? Explain why you believe Norway maintains such a high standard within the scene.

Quality is relative. If anything, much of the newer output fails to meet the standard the genre deserves. Yet it is often placed on a pedestal simply for being Norwegian. The genre has undeniable roots here, but the legacy is both a foundation and a burden. Many preserve not the substance, but a caricature of what they believe once existed. Most of the current scene was not there. The mythology has outgrown the experience.
There are some strong bands without question, but there is also an overabundance of mediocrity. Quantity has never been an indicator of quality. What sustains the scene is not climate or education, but the few who create something deliberate, something that actually reflects a real state of mind, rather than an imitation of one.
Malum was born in 2020 within the Norwegian underground, at a time when many bands were searching for a sound, but few for an identity. You, however, seemed to know from the beginning where you wanted your voice to go. Looking back, how do you remember that origin? Was there an internal impulse, a personal or creative rupture that led you to shape this entity? What were you trying to express in those early days when Malum began to take form from the void?

The direction sonically and visually was defined from the beginning. What followed was execution, and an extensive writing process. Malum emerged as a reaction to a scene that felt stagnant, oversaturated with uninspired, derivative projects. There was a clear absence of something more deliberate, more cohesive. So the approach was simple: create what was missing. Whether it resonates with everyone is irrelevant. It has been enough to provoke a reaction, both interest and rejection. That is sufficient.
As I mentioned earlier, Norway is a country with an extremely rich yet highly competitive scene. How has your environment influenced your evolution as a band?

Environment has limited influence on what Malum is. What matters is perspective and the discipline to follow it through without compromise. That said, existing within a scene that constantly shifts between quality and irrelevance has its use. It sharpens your sense of what holds weight, and what does not.
On a personal and musical level, which bands do you find yourselves listening to most often? They may be classics, contemporary projects, or even artists from completely different genres. And if you feel this is too personal, feel free to skip it.

Good music remains good music, regardless of genre, production, or context. There is no such thing as a guilty pleasure and genre is irrelevant. I listen to a lot of music across different categories.
What remains are the records that still make sense to me after years of repetition, bands like Kiss, Mötley Crüe, Ozzy Osbourne, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson, Dimmu Borgir, Mayhem, Ghost, Alfahanne, Advent Sorrow, Djevel, and Mortiis.
To close, I imagine that since you are currently presenting a new album, the coming months will be heavily focused on promoting it and bringing these new compositions to the stage. What plans do you have in the short and medium term? Can fans expect tours, new music videos, collaborations, or additional material related to “From the Voids”?

The material will be brought to stages where it makes sense to do so. The rest will unfold when the time is right.

Thank you very much for spending this time with us and answering our questions. It has been a pleasure to explore your vision and the creative universe surrounding Malum. From Obsidian Sanctum PR, we wish you the best of luck with the new album and everything that lies ahead.

Malum line up:
A.A.: drums
M.F.: guitars lead
A.G.: guitars rhythm
T.K.: bass and vocals

https://www.instagram.com/norwegian_malum
https://norwegianmalum.bandcamp.com
https://darkessencerecords.no/artists/malum