Infinity Shred‘s Forever, A Fast Life (3DOT Recordings) is like if Health had their own interpretation of Deafheaven‘s Sunbather. Yeah, I never thought I’d type out a such a sentence and half of the readers have probably walked away at this point but hear me out. Again, imagine Sunbather, but only strip away George Clarke‘s corrosive vocals and replace them with copious amounts of synths. Again, not the best sentence to describe Infinity Shred, so I’m going to need you to put on some headphones and take this thing for a test drive.

Let’s examine a track like ‘Fractured, Focused’ and how it bounces from metallic fury right into lush and introspective spaciness. And introspective is certainly the right word as I found myself on multiple occasions dipping into self-reflection and examining my feelings throughout this thing. I don’t know, maybe it’s that it’s unburdened by vocals, so my brain felt the need to fill in the narrative gaps. Maybe it’s because the music flows like The Contortionist channeling Tangerine Dream.

And Infinity Shred is very aware that they’re all up in your feelings with tracks like ‘What’s Worth Hiding?’ Notice how they are playing with all the colors and moods as the track sea-changes from shy and weary into sudden and escalating waves of triumphant synths and floor tom pounding only to have the ground give way back into dreary keys again. Same can be said for the title track that shifts from high energy but never sinister blast beats to 16-bit video game noises to an ending so dour you’d think we were attending Morrissey‘s funeral.

So, if you’re feeling up for it, I suggest you put on those headphones. You may get a bit scared along the way, but it’s worth the destination.

8 / 10

HANS LOPEZ