The Untamed Hunger

Of the numerous bands that have named themselves Infinity, today we are talking about the Dutch black metal battalion. The two gentlemen have been in the business for almost three decades and have just delivered LP number seven. "The Untamed Hunger" is the name of the good piece and with seven songs and 42 minutes of playing time it brings plenty of fodder for all fans of uncompromising, but at the same time highly melodic black metal. The Dutch scene has experienced some momentum in recent years, but it should be mentioned at this point that Infinity sound more Nordic than reminiscent of their compatriots. The music contains very few frills, but all the more fantastic riffs and melodies.

"Lord of the Earth" opens with a short intro that seamlessly transitions into the first Basts and epic harmony. It gets really cool when the tempo is taken out in the middle section and the atmosphere thickens. The relaxation does not last long, soon frenzy takes over again. The magnificently played instruments are accompanied by the whistling voice of singer Draconis. Since Infinity have a penchant for longer songs, this up and down is often done several times within a track. A few interspersed acoustic guitars provide additional moments of ecstasy. It speaks for Draconis and Balgradon Xul that, despite the excess lengths, boredom never arises. The lead melodies also change again and again, short solos come back in a slightly adapted form at a later time and thus convey a feeling of stringency.

Infinity are not only about pure and unfiltered aggression and speed, as their music always has an underlying, epic edge to it that makes it sound expansive, despite its intensity and straight-forward approach. Some of the most intense moments come when they mix things up a bit and bring some groovier mid-tempo parts, more fragile sections and slightly unorthodox harmonies and sequences into play. The band’s slower sections are the ones that often hit the spot and extend the album by giving it additional layers. Brooding with menace and weaving grim moods with ease, Infinity are adept at producing engaging atmosphere. When they lock into a mid-tempo groove or build and develop a mood-based soundscape with their captivating guitar harmonies they rise above a lot of their peers who play a similar brand of melodic black metal.

One of my favorites and a great representer of the band’s strengths surely has to be the title track. The song is filled with beautiful melodies and excellent instrumental work. The guitar soling is absolutely incredible at times, played with both soul and skill. This one is a haunting piece of music that is intense and crushing at the same time. The frenzied attacks are storming, furious and also unpredictable with a volatility that makes every bar of Infinity’s music exciting. The waves of melody and extremity are woven together perfectly, giving something filled with atmosphere and aggression alike.

While most of the stuff here has been done before in similar fashion the two protagonists are experienced enough to put their own stamp on the music. While pretty straight forward on the surface there is enough variation to be found, and songs like the mentioned title cut are among the most captivating pure genre pieces I have heard over the past months, thanks to clever build-ups and the fantastic flow. Things such as brief changes from blast-beats to more laid-back drum patterns, bitterly melancholic riffs progressing into a storm of haunting presence and even the raspy vocals all seem to carry enough nuance and intricacy to hold the listener’s interest with ease. On top of that the production is weighty and crystal clear, absolutely perfect for this style. The artwork is also amazing. “The Untamed Hunger” is a nearly flawless example of classic melodic black metal while still sounding modern enough, but carrying the spirit of old. Great job by Infinity and their label Immortal Frost Production.