Malevolence *

With song titles like "Suffer" and "Alone," but also "Kill or Be Killed" and "I'm About to Break You," prepare for both angst and defiance from Malevolence, Warped Tour regulars New Years Day's third long player. Leader Ash Costello, who stretches her vocals with this material, has said that the album is the hard-rocking punk-poppers' most personal one to date, one that marries ire and vulnerability. Working with returning producer Erik Ron (blessthefall, Palisades), it's the band's first release with Another Century Records. ~ Marcy Donelson