Mallavora release new single ‘Lilith & Esther’ featuring Banshee

Mallavora are a blazing force in alt-metal, fusing ferocious riffs with elements of R&B, soul, and the rich cultural heritage of vocalist Jessica Douek’s Jewish-Middle Eastern roots. Since emerging in 2020, the band has carved out a reputation as one of the most exciting rising acts in heavy music, with support from BBC Radio 1, Kerrang! Radio and acclaimed rock and metal press such as Metal Hammer, Kerrang! and Alt Press.

2024 saw the band make their Download Festival debut, undertake their first UK headline tour, and secure huge support slots with powerhouse bands such as Skindred. Following the release of their EP “Echoes”, the band has enjoyed a busy schedule in 2025 – with appearances at 2000trees (main stage) and Alyx Holcombe’s MANTRA showcase.

In recent months, Mallavora have been popping up everywhere, from the stages of Boomtown and Burn It Down Festivals, to the catwalk at London Fashion Week where they provided the soundtrack to Unhidden‘s latest clothing range. Most recently, you may have heard vocalist Jessica’s incredible vocal abilities in an episode of BBC 1’s The Celebrity Traitors, a star-studded game show that features household names such as Stephen Fry, Alan Carr and Claudia Winkleman. Jess was called upon by the producers of the show to produce ‘banshee-like’ wails, demonstrating her vocal range which stretches from beautiful high octave singing to the extremes of fry screaming.

All of Mallavora’s achievements have been leading to this moment: the announcement of their debut album ‘What If Better Never Comes?‘. Set for release on March 27th 2026 via Church Road Records, this record showcases the band’s growth as songwriters and highlights their constant hunger to push the envelope.

“We are so proud to announce the release of our debut album, ‘What If Better Never Comes?’. This record is a conceptual exploration of sickness – personal and societal – and it’s given us the space to express our experiences of difference in new and expansive ways. We hope its vulnerability, and the message it carries, brings comfort and catharsis to anyone who’s ever lived inside emotions too complex to name.”

For Mallavora, the music comes first and foremost, but behind their powerful music also lies equally powerful personal stories – a fierce honesty rooted in lived experience. Guitarist Larry Sobieraj channels his own experiences of chronic illness into the band’s instrumentals.

“It’s almost like a therapy tool to process these complicated and difficult things that a lot of people don’t understand, things that are hard to put into words,” he says. “I want to be able to sit there and listen to the music and feel how I felt while writing it.”

He passes his instrumentals to vocalist Jessica Douek, who uses her emotional response to the music to craft vocals. In essence, it’s a creative dialogue. “It makes it quite powerful in the sense that I can feel what he has written, and then I put that into words, associated with grief of becoming ill or losing a healthier version of yourself,” says Jessica, who is Disabled and lives with fibromyalgia. “There’s a lot of rage about societal barriers and being treated differently.”

Completed by thunderous bassist Ellis James and powerhouse drummer Sam Brownlow, Mallavora have become some of alternative music’s fiercest advocates for accessibility, committing to only headlining venues accessible enough for them and their audience. Ultimately, it’s a mantle they must take up out of necessity.

“The industry, as it currently is, isn’t sustainable for us with what we’re dealing with,” says Jessica. “There’s an existential worry that we won’t be able to have the career we want unless we forge this change ourselves.” Nonetheless, this is just one facet of Mallavora’s artistry, and the band remains focused on creating music that resonates with a wide spectrum of people.

For their third single from the album, Mallavora linked up with the creator of “fairy metal”, Banshee. Her music, like Mallavora‘s, is a rich mixture of styles that blend together to make something unique. Banshee also shares Mallavora‘s discontent for inequality within the metal scene and the world at large. Banshee‘s music takes aim at the misogyny and predatory behaviour that is rife within the music industry.

“We connected with Banshee online and instantly loved the ethereal, haunting quality to her vocals. We wrote a track with her in mind and were very excited when she agreed to feature on it. In Lilith & Esther, we delve deeper into our cultural influences and draw strength and power from these ancient heroines. We’re really pleased with how this song turned out and look forward to its reception as we build up to the release of our debut album in March.” – Mallavora

‘Lilith & Esther’ continues to prove why Mallavora is one to watch this year! Out now and streaming everywhere.

The band have just announced their album release show and biggest headliner to date. It will take place Friday May 8^th at Exchange in Bristol. Tickets available [here].

Banshee will embark on a EU and UK tour this March/April.

26/03 – Helsinki, Finland @ On The Rocks
28/03 – Karlsruhe, Germany @ Die Stadtmitte 
29/03 – Vienna, Austria @ Viper Room
31/03 – Prague, Czech Republic @ Cafe V Lese 
01/04 – Warsaw, Poland @ Warsaw 
02/04 – Berlin, Germany @ Berghain Kantine
04/04 – Hamburg, Germany @ Bahnhof Pauli
05/04 – Köln, Germany @ Helios 37 
07/04 – London, United Kingdom @ Omera
08/04 – Paris, France @ Point Éphémère
09/04 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso (Upstairs)