Inferi has had quite a nice little stint over its 20 years of existence. Our Editor-in-Chief, Erik “The Brave” reviewed the band’s last album, their sixth, Vile Genesis, and really enjoyed it. That album was incredible.
One of the things I’ve always enjoyed about the band, and while it may seem odd, is the band logo. I find it pretty striking and cool to look at. While some of the band’s albums have been stronger than others, album #7, Heaven Wept, is the best one yet for Inferi. Check out the batshit insane album cover – it’s absolutely nuts, and coincides with the technical shredding, brutality, known as Inferi.
Along with main man Malcolm Pugh and vocalist Stevie Boiser, the band welcomes two new members, making the band ½ new. Spencer Moore on drums (Archspire) and Sanjay Kumar on guitars (Wormhole), complementing Malcolm, are among my favorite shredders. Additionally, if you’re unfamiliar with The Artisan Era label, then if you enjoy bands such as The Black Dahlia Murder, Wormhole, The Faceless, and Decrepit Birth, then you will love Inferi.
“The Rapture of Dead Light” wastes no time with a fancy schmancy intro. Brutality right off the jump. Ruthless. The guitar work, with Sanjay added, is an addition to propel the band even further. Vicious brutality and while there is a bit of Wormhole extra brutality, the Inferi sound remains intact, with respect to the noodling and extreme technical precision. Check out the double bass at the 2.15 mid-paced moment. It will run over you like a hungry, hungry, hippo. Tons of guitar solos and Stevie’s vocals are filthy, gruff and in your face. The extreme technical madness going on, is flawless. One of the best album openers all year folks.
The title track has a phenomenal opening sequence destined to start a monstrous pit in all the galaxies above. Heavy, slammin’ and crushing. This moment is like a tank just getting its treads started. After the groove, drum roll and right into the scorching blast and tempo changes. One minute there’s a blast, few seconds later some galloping, then a slowdown and the orchestral arrangements, from Malcolm, breathe life all over the place. The slow beat down groove erupts and the guitar riffing is most excellent. Harmonies over the rhythm, add even more light to this, then right into a scorching blast with keys abound all over this sucker. In some of the extreme madness, Inferi comes across as Rings of Saturn, especially the soloing at the 3.43 timestamp. Pure madness, christ almighty, technical ferocity!!
“Of Rotted Wombs”, starts excellent and then the blast beat with the harmonies and sheer brutal melodies are face ripping. Start and stop moments and orchestral choral vocal moments as well…this is another scorcher. The album ends with “Godless Sky”. Cutesy piano opening then right into the mid-paced crunching heaviness. Tempo shifts galore, like a charcuterie platter, much to choose from here. The drums at the 1.38 section are tremendous and I am feeling like I am being para diddled to death. Midway through the song, and the isolated riff and growl signifying the Holy Shit part, will rip you in half. Killer groove, then atmospheric melodies and beautiful musical compositions follow.
Heaven Wept is outrageously fun, brutal, melodic, punishing and mesmerizing. The musicianship is tremendous and song structures never get boring. This album is more noodly than previous efforts and is also Inferi at the top of their game. The face ripping brutality and speed makes me do my cardio 10x faster. Winning. The production and mix is loud with everything sounding punch you in your face worthy! In terms of technical precision and brutality Inferi, not only have upped their game, they have released an album tough to beat this year, in their genre of death metal.
