Infestus
- The Reflecting Void (2014)
Debemur Morti Productions
Review by Trevor Proctor
German
black metal group Infestus was originally formed in 2003 and subsequently
released a demo, debut album and split cd – following the departure of
guitarist Harbarth in 2006 remaining members Andras and Dagon decided to carry
on with the band with Andras taking over ALL instrumental duties and Dagon
concentrating on vocals.
In 2008 they released the concept album "Chroniken des
Ablebens" via Debemur Morti Productions, garnering many positive
reviews, however by 2010 Dagon had started drifting away from the band and by
summer of that year he had quit completely – the ever determined Andras decided
to continue with Infestus, assuming all vocal duties along with all instrumentation.
Following seven years of absence from live music Andras assembled a live line
up in 2013 and Infestus returned to the stage with Andras performing vocals.
During the same year Andras began recording tracks for his new album “The
Reflecting Void” once again he composed everything and performed every single
instrument on the album – no other musicians and most importantly no drum
machine and as with previous releases Andras also assumed mixing duties.
Recorded and mixed by Andras the album was mastered by V Santura (Dark Fortress,
Triptykon) at Woodshed studio.
Normally when reviewing a release I like to detail a few standout tracks
and highlights rather than give a blow by blow analysis/narrative of every
track – the difficulty for me with this black art masterpiece was selecting
which tracks to detail as each and every one is worthy of a mention and
captures your attention for varying reasons.
Infestus’ take on black metal is heavily influenced by progressive
elements and across the album’s 54 minute duration we are immersed in a deep, atmospheric,
highly accomplished and very rewarding listen. Opener A Dying Dream is an
excellent starter track filled with Andras’ melancholic straightforward black
metal but the scope and ambition of both artist and album aren’t realized until
the track which follows “Spiegel der Seele.” It starts quite heavy and at quite
an upbeat pace but the true scope and beauty is revealed after four minutes
when the track breaks into a stunning acoustic section, and for close to a
minute we’re treated to emotive, delicate, acoustic work, creating an
outstanding interlude, this gradually gives way and when the pace and heaviness
return the progressive guitar work in the background is nothing short of
sublime.
Follower Constant Soul Corrosion starts at a slower pace with some
further acoustic guitar work, again showing Infestus’ progressive side – in
fact, as the album proceeds we see more and more of the progressive side of
Andras, this is complex and dare I say intelligent music with every listen
making it a more immersive listening experience bringing even more rewards.
Track six, Inner Reflexion is another highlight for me and was one of the first
tracks to standout during my first listen; it’s an eight minute journey filled
with pure musical vision; from beautiful acoustic sections to lengthy
progressive solos this is nothing short of genius.
I thoroughly enjoyed this album from start to finish and what makes it even
more outstanding is the fact it’s the sole accomplishment of one individual;
from playing to recording to mixing; Andras even played a part in the artwork,
design and layout along with Ain – to have this sort of vision, ambition and
musical prowess is nothing short of amazing, The Reflecting Void is a
magnificent, complex, beautiful piece of musical art, do not let this stunning
album slip under your radar, it’s most definitely one of the year’s best
releases.
Tracklist:
1 - A Dying Dream
2 - Spiegel der Seele
3 - Constant Soul Corrosion
4 - Cortical Spreading Darkness
5 - Fractal Rise of the Fall
6 - Inner Reflexion
7 - Devouring Darkness
8 - Origin.
The Reflecting Void is released by Debemur Morti Productions on April 25th.
No comments:
Post a Comment