It’s hardly surprising that this Dutch duo are hungry after a gap of six long years from last album ‘Hybris’. This is their seventh full-lengther and they immediately sound absolutely ravenous. With ties to live duties in Funeral Winds, our hosts Draconis and Balgradon Xul play what is described as melodic black metal here which is going to take the listener on a nostalgic path right back to the Swedish scene of the 90’s. I have reviewed several albums lately where the artists evidently bow at that particular altar and although good, in some cases it is beginning to be a bit of a cliché. Not so when I first put this on for a listen, Infinity are not quite so obvious about it and although there are certainly trappings of the Swedish style here I am not going to be throwing out the usual names as a sound board.

Not only do Infinity take us down a dark Luciferian path that is very much their own by design, they also have an excellent fully-fleshed production behind them. The six tracks here are diverse, full of interesting intricacies and pack a powerful punch to boot. ‘Lords Of The Earth’ eerily comes in with shaking timbre and eerie croaks before the drums batter in and guitars scythe away in a fast a furious dash. Vocals craggy and raw, rasp over the top sounding particularly effective and then a bouncy black n’roll etched melody grooves in. There’s hooks a plenty here, a delirious driving furrow and an overall feeling of class and professionalism. Add to this some classic slower guitar parts giving some breathing space and atmosphere and even a bit of acoustic grace into this epic and lengthy number and it’s impossible not to be enthused right from the off. Luckily everything that follows is of as equally sturdy construct and enthusiastically delivered. That windswept Immortal like cleave and flattening drumming takes us into ‘Ortus Luciferi’ and the fiery pace gets blood pumping through the veins and heads a banging. It’s not all full pelt ahead though as a slower part complete with devilish oratory sermon is slotted in before it all rises and ploughs back in with brimstone and thunder at its heart. ‘Hakathriel’ is Lucifer by any other name and the subject for the next seething salvo of vengeance as cast aflame from heaven. It’s the pace that is noticeable here as the band obviously like to vary them and do so with aplomb, from a section of all out blasts they allow things to simmer before bringing them gradually back to the seething boil. You can also understand the vocals here unlike in many a band and although they croak following the tale is not a problem.

Another facet that is particularly noteworthy is the excellent drumming which really serves as the thrusting backbone of the album. With ‘Infernam Aeternam’ we get some booming timpani echoing over things which is particularly effective and has really stood out over repeated listens. With some huge sweeping backing vocals here as well there’s no shortage of ideas to be found as you careen through this giddy number. The title track provides some ghoulish children of the night and wolves in the graveyard sounds and we find ourselves gathered in the midst of a profane congregation. The rasps are delivered in all their evil and vile glory, the sun has certainly been swallowed and we gather in the shadows of these black rites. All that’s missing are the screams of a virgin sacrifice. Final confrontation is to gaze into ‘The Cold Silence Beyond’ and at first it seems a beautiful place courtesy of an acoustic guitar-line before we plummet headlong down into the burgeoning depths of hell itself; and what a glorious ride it is.

There’s an addictive quality about this album, you will want to listen to it again and again. Not only that but ‘The Untamed Hunger’ has proven to be an invigorating and highly-charged romp of an album from start to finish. It won’t be long before I’m playing it again.

(8.5/10 Pete Woods)

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https://digital.immortalfrostproductions.com/album/the-untamed-hunger