ALBUM REVIEW: Inflabitan – Intrinsic

Norwegian Black Metal cult INFLABITAN are finally delivering their debut full length opus. Out via Soulseller Records on February 26th.

Diving right in with some crushing and thrashy riffs with punctual drums from the legendary Anti-Christian (of Tsjuder among many others), it is clear this record is going to be a punishing slab of Norwegian Black Metal that delivers ferocity and melody in abundance. While the riveting cascades of monstrous riffing heavily borrow from bands such as Gorgoroth and 1349, there is plenty of originality from early on while still holding the influential background of their countries infamous scene on their sleeves. While many Nordic bands favour a more nature-oriented, cold and thin sound to convey the icy bitterness of their homeland, Inflabitan sit far more comfortably with their thrashing Black Metal contemporaries such as Aura Noir and the like with a old school onslaught of visceral instrumentals and maniacal vocals taking a far more aggressive and hard-hitting pathway. While I value both sounds a lot and both are huge parts of Norway’s history, it is all down to delivery and sincerity for me. Inflabitan are obviously experienced musicians and their emergence from the underground shows no loss of passion and biting hatred as we see a monolithic conjuration of evil Black Metal with tons of melody and primitive savagery come to life here.

The barbarian horde of two continue in their ruthless execution of fierce Black-Thrash Metal mania with an unending stream of marvellously fast and diabolic sounding songs that flow naturally with an organic sound that allows each pounding drum beat, scolding vocal line and malicious riff to work in unison at firing forth total annihilation. With plentiful groove and nothing held back in terms of extremity, this release is the bastard child of Norway’s too main styles of Black Metal, spliced together with care and offered upon the altar of Metal with profoundly excellent musicianship. The headbanger friendly rhythms and bestial blasting assaults intwine with each other naturally to give us one hell of a ride in little over half an hour. The progressions that occur never detract from the overall heaviness of the record, which with this kind of Black Metal might prove a challenge, though Inflabitan seem to nail it, likely due to the sheer experience of the musicians. Though the first demo came in 1993, this is the bands first album and perhaps the blend of cult status with so many years to develop this album is what makes it feel so enchanting and like a lost gem of the past, either way it rules.

Was this album worth the wait? For those of you seeking cult and obscure Norwegian Black Metal, certainly. Additionally those whom adore Black Metal with a heavy thrash influence too should be intrigued. A really enjoyable, upbeat and deathly heavy slice of extremity that I think was totally worth delving into the underground to check out.