Infernal Battles

After the split-up of Hirilorn two members from the band, Hasjarl and Shaxul, decided to start another band called Deathspell Omega. Hirilorn recorded some fresh and original sounding music. Although it didn’t knock your socks off it was still a decent listen and maybe with a bit of development they could have released some truly great music. Deathspell Omega’s “Infernal Battles” on the other hand blends in nicely with all the unoriginal marketable Black Metal of today’s terribly unexciting scene.

Production is raw. Guitars are heavily distorted. Drums are heavily distorted. Vocals are heavily distorted. Bass is probably heavily distorted buts it’s too low in the mix to even notice. Nothing about the production is special. The production gets worse on the second half of the album because it’s taken from their demo yet it still manages to fit together with the first half. It’s the kind of production you heard when Darkthrone started making music.

Remember Darkthrone? Of course you do because every 1 in 2 Black Metal albums released today sound like Darkthrone and this is one of the ones that sounds like Darkthrone. Actually the opening riff instantly reminds you of “Transylvanian Hunger”. Then the next riff sounds like old school Black Metal, think Celtic Frost. Then it’s back to Darkthrone riffs. The opening riff to “The Ancient Presence Revealed” sounds like straight up Thrash. The second half of this album that is their demo material is actually more fun to listen to then the first half, mainly because it has more variation and Thrashy parts.

“Infernal Battles” is a mix of mediocre Old School Black Metal riffs, Nu School Black Metal riffs and Thrash riffs. There’s no denying these guys can play their instruments and there’s no denying these guys can write music but all those skills are nothing when you lack creativity. Steer clear of this release.