Breaking away from the pack of Modern Metal bands, Infected Rain is fulfilling their promise as one of the the best underground buzz bands of the new millennium. Their new album Time (Napalm Records) goes super hard, but more importantly, showcases their maturity as writers, riff dealers, and how to make every song stand on its own. It’s rare to get to see a label trust a band to follow their muse and really grow and change from album to album.
In this short-attention-span society we have today, a lot bands are trying blend genres and mash up parts just for the sake of it. Infected Rain as masterful songwriters and creatives who can touch any genre, but put it together in a way that never lessens the blow of the end result of songs. At the end of the day its uncompromising and heavy as hell without sacrificing hooks or melodies. Right from the first track “Because I Let You” – you know the band came with their “A” game. Lena Scissorhands is working out all manner of PTSD issues with this song and you feel her anguish, but also catharsis. A neat syncopated beat gives way to slamming riffs and screamed hostilities. Thrash, Nu-Metal (complete with some fire rhymes), Prog Metal, Deathcore all represent. When the band lets it really fly musically, there is nothing out of reach.
“Dying Light” is another banger. After chatting with Lena, the subtle theme of the album comes to the fore. There is always a rage versus vulnerability type of ebb and flow to Lena’s vocals, but with a little more understanding of the deeper meaning on the album, it hits extra hard in the feels. By contrast, the beautiful melodies at the top of “Never To Return” could work just as well in Nightwish and Within Temptation. Yes, Lena is on that level now. “Never to Return” also has sick riffs that go hard the entire time. The rest of the band: Vidick on Guitar, Eugene Voluta on drums, and new bassist Alice Lane (recorded a bit, but didn’t write for this release) collectively slay these tracks and provide a wild canvas allow Lena to express herself.
“The Answer is You” and “Vivarium” are both catchy tunes with girthy riffs that will have your head nodding. “Vivarium” also has more hard bars from Lena and would be great to hear live. A total circle pit jam!
The best of the later album tracks include the feisty “Enmity,” the mostly harsh “Unpredictable,” power ballad “Game of Blame,” and the ripping “Paura!”
Somehow a band for fans of Lamb of God, Ne Obliviscaris, and OTEP all at once, Infected Rain has made perhaps their best album yet, really reaching for the heavy music crown this year!
Buy the album here:
https://www.infectedrain.com/
8 / 10
KEEFY