The Untamed Hunger

I do not exactly know why, but the global scene does not pay enough attention to the art of Netherland’s Infinity. This band delivers very well arranged black metal since 20 years and seven full-lengths. It’s remarkable that they never changed their style significantly, but they also never fell victim to predictability. Even though the listener is already familiar with their general direction, the Dutch devils are able to spend their compositions a lot of exciting melodies, dynamic outbursts and gloomy sections. This mix has always resulted in an interesting album and “The Untamed Hunger” does not hurt the tradition. It is another meticulously designed output whose more or less melodic black metal casts its spell over the listener.

I probably need to clarify the use of the term "melodic". I do not mean it this way that Infinity’s songs are overly harmonic. Let’s pick out “Hakathriel”. Its mild opening sequence could have been found under the pillow of Steve Harris, but the song houses thunderous, pretty violent chapters as well. (By the way, it’s a very strong track that makes up for the solid, but not outstanding “Ortus Luciferi”.) No, I use the word “melodic”, because Infinity have a knack for very expressive melodies. They cause a great impact on the general quality of the material while conveying melancholy, loneliness and hopelessness. Moreover, they are the main reason why the compositions do not lack depth. The fact that Infinity always give their individual songs enough time to develop their full strength plays an important role as well. Black metal should not be metallic fast food, even though some short tracks of the last Azaghal full-length seem to indicate something different.

Infinity’s songs are still free from any kind of barbaric or inappropriately brutal components. Their style is influenced by Swedish bands that were or still are able to give their unholy art an elegant element. Of course, I am speaking of formations such as Necrophobic or their brother project In Aphelion. Needless to say, this approach only works with an adequate, professional production. Any form of lo-fi underground sound would kill this type of lightness which seems to hover above things. But “The Untamed Hunger” is not to blame for a negligent sound. Quite the opposite, it is somewhat polished, but completely dark and without the slightest tinge of sterility. After so many years in business, we can be sure that the Dutch duo has a clear vision concerning its sound and it is able to realize its intention. Thus, the album sounds absolutely authentic, especially the more or less typical but still passionate and raw vocals of Balgradon Xul.

Is it necessary to mention that we do not find a weak song here? As far as I remember, Infinity would still have to write their first boring piece. It’s an almost flawless discography and new highlights like “Infernam Aeternam” or the title track track lengthen my imaginary “Best of Infinity” compilation, which has been already quite opulent before. Artwork and booklet also add value to the output, because their stylish design reflects Infinity’s non-vulgar way of proceeding. Therefore it’s a bit sad that the brilliantly intense and excessively attacking closer already heralds the end. But if you give yourself the name Infinity, then I expect nothing less than never ending creativity. Given this situation, I am already eagerly awaiting the next masterpiece of the two competent protagonists.

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.

The Dutch Black Metal duo (Balgradon Xul – vocals & drums, Draconis – guitars & vocals) waited six years after "Hybris" to give birth to a new work. Well, Infinity have not actually changed: lyrical insertions containing touching melodic licks alternate with relentless blast-beat attacks, however, a certain melody pulsates in these blasting rampages. Yes, "The Untamed Hunger" includes very infusive music, pompous and solemn mostly. Figuratively speaking, Dissection remained their guiding star. Although some changes did take place.

The key to understanding the transformation (albeit not a cardinal one, but nevertheless) lies in the production: it was a bit softer on "Hybris", as well as a bit more sandy, while the production on the newest work is quite violent and tough (matching the album's title, by the way). It is not surprising at all, the sound on "Hybris" was provided by Tore Stjerna, while Infinity did it themselves on "The Untamed Hunger": the album was recorded, mixed and mastered at The Absolute I Productions, guitarist Draconis' own studio. As a result a huge amount of power has been added to guitars (as opposed to the bygone fizz), definitely, now the general sound of the album is dominated by dynamics and drive, it is less Dissection-esque in a manner of speaking. So presumably, now Infinity are exactly what they should be.

Changes in the sound did not take long to affect the manner of presenting the material. This is best shown when using palm muting, albeit not so often. For example, when the tempo slows down in the beginning of the second "Ortus Luciferi", there is even a pronounced dominance of palm muting, you know, this is an almost death metal attitude. And an almost thrash/death metal-ish palm-muted riff in the fourth "Infernam Aeternam" makes the music even brutal and violent, completely uncharacteristic of Swedish melodic black/death metal (i. e. Dissection). Actually, "Hybris" had palm muted rhythm as well, but because of the soft production, it made itself felt unobtrusively, as if it was afraid to frighten off the bewitching melodies. Now Infinity are not shy about anything.

On the other hand, sometimes seeping brutality is not only a consequence of new production. In addition, Infinity have started to eschew smooth transitions in the structure of their songs more often, the third "Hakathriel" serves as a good example of unexpected acceleration when Infinity rush into the sound attack.

The Norwegian black metal influence is now more evident due to the changes that have taken place in Infinity's music or, more accurately, in their sound. We all know that Immortal's influence was felt before, for example, on "Hybris" it is the third "Wrath of the Djinn" that has an obvious riff in the spirit of "Pure Holocaust". But "The Untamed Hunger" surpasses the previous album in this parameter. The most obvious episodes: the fourth "Infernam Aeternam" opens with a blast-beat riff in the spirit of "Blizzard Beasts"/"At the Heart of Winter", in the title fifth song it is already "Battles in the North" (high-speed distorted guitar picking accompanied by doublebass-attack), and in final "The Cold Silence Beyond" – "Pure Holocaust".

Well, there are groovy Satyricon-like riffs sometimes ("Lord of the Earth", "Infernam Aeternam"), but due to the rough production they take on a fundamentally different color, not black metal-ish at all. And "The Untamed Hunger", the richest song on the album in terms of variety of riffs, is couched at the beginning in a mid-tempo groove in the spirit of none other than "Jesus' Tod" (but the riff is in its own way, of course). The title track is also marked by an almost grindcore rampage and, perhaps, the only riff in the entire album in the manner of modern black metal (somewhere in the second half). A very remarkable song.

And yet the most pompous and solemn song – "Hakathriel" – is sustained in the spirit of Viking-era Bathory, even its solo filled with Quorthon-esque grandeur stands apart from the rest of the not-so-numerous solos on the album. Actually, solo work is the album's weakest point, the one in the very first song "Lord of the Earth" sounds pretty ordinary especially after the part of the piercing tremolo picking lead line. So a sluggish start sets the trend in this sense: the licks are much stronger than the solos on "The Untamed Hunger".

Summary. Infinity categorically reject new trends in black metal, steadfastly adhering to old school canons. You will not find anything new here, but enjoy the spirit of the Beginning breathtakingly.

The Metal Observer