Nastiriff is carving out their place in rock ‘n roll with the release of their debut EP, Malus—a five-track surge of raw energy, sharp commentary, and unapologetic attitude.
Dropping alongside the EP is their latest single, “Conservative,” a track that takes a direct jab at the self-righteous and the perpetually offended, complete with a bold new music video.
Nastiriff makes a Defiant Statement in Rock
“Malus stems from deep, rotten roots. A collection of thoughts and experiences funneled into a comedically combative rock ‘n roll package, placing offense right in the face of where it belongs,” says the band.
The EP’s title, derived from the Latin word for “nasty,” is no coincidence. “The word ‘MAL’ is the foundation of many words across multiple languages, all carrying a bad or evil connotation—malfunction, malice, malevolent,” the band explains. “It resonates with Nastiriff because it opposes the high-and-mighty. And it does so intentionally.”
Nastiriff‘s EP has Tracks That Cut Deep
Each track on Malus slices through societal contradictions:
- “Suck It” flips confidence against the overconfident.
- “Bang” rages at the angry.
- “Conservative” morally corrects the morally correct.
- “Bed By Seven” serves as a wake-up call to those stuck in cycles.
- “Vintage Calculators” is a love song for the unlovable.
“By trying to stand out, we all end up being the same,” Nastiriff declares. “This EP will hopefully make it clear that there is absolutely nothing special about us—or you. Importance is irrelevant, and the world would be a far better place if we could all behave like it.”
Bringing the Vision to Life
Nastiriff credits Ruan and the team at Sonic Nursery for helping them shape their vision. “They’re so detail-oriented and really locked into our energy and what we were after. Music is more than just audio and visuals—it’s about capturing feeling and emotion,” says Nastiriff. “When performing the music, you have to live that feeling at its fullest.”
A Raw and Real Recording Process
This commitment to authenticity extended to the recording process. Drums were isolated in a separate room while the rest of the band played together, preserving their collective energy. “In the tracks, you can hear we were locked in. We ran each song five times before cleaning up by ‘punching in’ to redo small parts. Vocals took two days before being mixed and mastered.”
“Conservative” – A Fearless Satirical Attack
Their latest single, “Conservative,” is a sharp, satirical jab at the stubbornly self-righteous. “It’s a bit of a stab at the ou Afrikaanse oom in his kort broekie, with his sunburnt skin and opinions,” says vocalist Gavin Wilmers. “I grew up around these types of folks. They always know everything and are offended by absolutely everything that moves.”
The song takes aim at the hypocrisy of extreme modesty—where some traditional Afrikaans couples spend years together without ever seeing each other naked, yet a mere glimpse of skin is instantly oversexualized.
“These are the types of people that qualify for a tongue-lashing from Nastiriff,” Wilmers continues. “I’ll probably get bliksemed at some point, but someone needs to give ‘em the hell they inflict on women in particular.
The accompanying music video showcases a striking contrast between stability and chaos. Set against serene landscapes with calm skies and subtle movements, Nastiriff’s performance shatters the tranquility—becoming the force of disruption in an otherwise stable world. “It’s like when someone says, ‘Come! You know where I live!’—and then you actually show up,” the band quips.
With a bold, confrontational edge and a body-positive message, “Conservative” takes aim at outdated ideologies, daring listeners to challenge their own perspectives. Nastiriff isn’t just making music; they’re making a statement.
Check out the video for “Conservative” below:
You can stream / download Malus HERE.
Watch this space for updates in the Music Videos category on SA Music Zone.
To stay in the loop with all things SA Music, Subscribe to our newsletter.
Looking for something to do? Check out our Upcoming Events section or the SA Gig Guide.
Want to explore the SA Music Scene? Check out our Artist/Band/Group Profiles section.
Want to discover fresh music? Follow our editor's 2025 playlist on Spotify.
