British metal band Malevolence has released a new track titled ‘Twelve To Zero,’ which serves as an anthem for the popular online game World Of Warcraft. The song was crafted in an impressive 12 hours as part of a challenge from the game’s developers, Blizzard Entertainment.
The track accompanies the forthcoming expansion, titled Midnight, set to launch on March 2, 2024. ‘Twelve To Zero’ is described as a “crushing, cinematic track” that encapsulates the urgency and high-stakes drama of the expansion’s storyline.
In a statement, guitarist Konan Hall shared his excitement about the project, revealing that he was inspired by his own World Of Warcraft character, a dwarf paladin. Hall received a custom-made Jackson guitar based on this character, which he used during a surprise performance at the Download Festival last summer. He noted, “World of Warcraft and music are two of my favourite things. Playing the Jackson guitar on stage will remind me of the hours I spent in the taverns of Azeroth.”
The challenge from Blizzard to create the song within a strict timeframe allowed the band to explore their creativity without the pressures associated with a conventional album release. Vocalist Alex Taylor remarked, “It’s cool to have the challenge to write a song in 12 hours. It allowed us to get creative and have fun without the pressure of it being on an album.” He also mentioned that the track may deviate from what fans typically expect from Malevolence.
As anticipation builds for the Midnight expansion, players can look forward to new features that include housing options, an extensive campaign, and four additional areas within the game.
In recent months, Malevolence faced legal challenges when they were forced to remove their music video for ‘Salt The Wound,’ due to a threat from The National Trust. The band expressed their frustration, stating, “Apparently pretending to play the guitar for a couple of hours on a public path that thousands of tourists walk up every single day is a criminal offence worth pursuing.”
Earlier in the month, the band unexpectedly released a new single titled ‘Silhouette,’ showcasing their ongoing commitment to producing new music.
As the gaming and music communities continue to collide, ‘Twelve To Zero’ stands out as a testament to the creative possibilities that arise when artists engage with popular culture.
