Malignant Tumour is a Czech metal band formed in 1991 in Ostrava. The group's lineup has changed many times over the years, with only vocalist and founding member Martin Bílek remaining to this day. The rest of the band consists of bassist Robert Šimek, guitarist Martin Vyorálek, and drummer Petr Bohda. As of 2024, they have released six studio albums, two EPs, and numerous split albums with other musicians. The band has won several Břitva music polls, and in 2010, they received an Anděl Award in the Hard & Heavy category.
Malignant Tumour was formed in Ostrava at the end of 1991 by Martin "Bilos" Bílek and Roman Restel, at the ages of 15 and 14, respectively.[2] When drummer Libor Šmakal joined in 1992, their style became influenced by the work of British grindcore band Carcass.[3] In this lineup, they recorded their early demo tapes Cadaveric Incubator of Endo-Parasites (1993), Symphonies for Pathologist (1994), and Analyse of Pathological Conceptions (1995). In late 1995, Šmakal was replaced by Michal "Cichoň" Cichý, leading to Restel departing as well and being replaced by Otto Beran. The same year, Malignant Tumour released a split EP with Decomposed, titled Malignus Morbus. This was followed a year later by three more split EPs: Forensic Clinicism – The Sanguine Article with Immured, Sick Sinus Syndrome with Mastic Scum, and Swarming of Virulency with Ingrowing.
In 1997, the band released a compilation EP titled Hungry Urinary Urn, split with Negligent Collateral Collapse, C.S.S.O., and Catasexual Urge Motivation, as well as a split album with Squash Bowels, titled Eat the Flesh... and Vomica. Cichý and Beran left the band shortly after.
In 1997, Marek "Švejk" Pavlík was hired to play drums, just as Bilos took over bass duties—leading to Richard Chrobok coming onboard as the band's guitarist. Around this time, the theme of the band's lyrics changed from pathological topics to socially aware ones—opposing homophobia, inequality, racism, and slavery.[4] Malignant Tumour went on to record the demo tape Killing for Profit in 1997 and the split EPs Rock Stars – Money Wars with Dead Infection and Murder for You to Eat with Vomito, in 1998. This was followed by another split album, Is This the Earth's Last Century?, with Alienation Mental, and their first solo EP, Equality!?, also in 1998. At the end of the year, drummer Švejk left the band and Cichoň returned.
Cichý was soon replaced by Michal "Kameň" Kaminsky, and Chrobok departed in mid-2000, being replaced by Marek Marunič. The band then recorded and released two split EPs: ...And Man Made the End with Agathocles and Get to Attack with Unholy Grave.
2001–2003: Relocation to the Netherlands and Dawn of the New Age
In 2001, Bilos relocated from Czechia to the Netherlands, where an entirely new lineup was formed, including brothers Johan and Jelle Smits on drums and bass, respectively. They released the split EP Oegstgeest Grindcore with Intumescence in 2002. A year later, they issued the double split EP In Oil We Trust with Critical Madness, Szargyerek, and Anubis, as well as their first full-length album, Dawn of the New Age. Bilos returned to Ostrava in mid-2003.
2003–2007: Burninhell
Malignant Tumour in 2007
Once back in Czechia, Malignant Tumour added Robert Šimek on bass and Martin "Marsel" Ondejka on drums.[citation needed] In 2004, they released the split EP Hammer and Anvil with Lycathrophy. Marsel died later that year and was replaced by David Ševčík.[citation needed] A year later, the band issued their second full-length album, Burninhell. It featured a guest appearance by guitarist Martin "Korál" Vyorálek, who later became a permanent member of the band. The record won second place in the Album of the Year category of that year's Břitva music poll.[5] In 2006, they recorded their next split LP, titled R'n'R Engine, with Gurkha, which won third place in that year's Břitva music poll.[6]
2007–2012: In Full Swing and Earthshaker
Korál, Šimek, Bilos, David (2010)
In 2008, Malignant Tumour released their next album, In Full Swing. It received praise from critics, some of whom compared the band to Motörhead.[7] The record won the Břitva music polls for Album of the Year,[8] and Malignant Tumour was named Live Band of the Year.[9] The record was also nominated for Album of the Year at that year's Anděl Awards, in the Hard & Heavy category.[10]
Two years later, the group went to work on a new record, with Andy Classen—the first time they had hired a professional producer. Earthshaker received praise from reviewers,[11][12] won Album of the Year at the 2010 Anděl Awards in the Hard & Heavy category,[13] and reached second place in the Břitva poll.[14]
2012–present: Overdose & Overdrive and The Metallist
Šimek, Bohdič, Bilos, Korál (2013)
In December 2012, drummer David Ševčík left the band, and his place was taken by Petr "Bohdič" Bohda.[citation needed] In early 2013, Malignant Tumour entered the studio once more to record their next album, Overdose & Overdrive, again with Andy Classen as producer.[15] The record came out in time for the band to go on tour that spring, including a stint at Neurotic Deathfest, in the Netherlands.[16] Dutch death metal vocalist Martin van Drunen ranked Overdose & Overdrive as the best metal album of 2013.[17]
Malignant Tumour issued their subsequent record, The Metallist, in 2016.[18][19] This was followed the same year by The Way of Metallist 1991–2016, a DVD retrospective of the band's career to date.[20] The film was submitted to the 2016 Czech Lion Awards.[21]
