Infestation are one of many bands, who emerged in England on the wake of new death metal age in the mid-90's. Their art is pure, old fashioned death. The band's sole album, 'Mass Immolation', manages to invoke full-blown demonic infestation, and is a treat for those who were banished by more groove-oriented tendencies of many well-known bands.

The album was released about four years in in the band's run. I remember it was heralded at some zines (both printed and online ones), and that's why I own it, as I keenly used to read reviews sections. I always liked this one quite a bit, but it never stayed on my playlist for more than a couple of spins, really. However, times change as well as opinions do. And so, my renewed review was done, and that's exactly what the album is honestly worthy of.

Infestation was ignited by two guys, drummer David Hirshheimer and guitarist Jamie Evans, who appeared on the debut demo 'Curse of Creation' (1998 - all 4 songs reappearing here), but not on this album anymore (David got a gig with Cradle Of Filth, and later both of them went on with their new band Obsidian). Anyway, they had close to 20 songs ready while these two guys were still in, and I think these songs were all made during that period.

The album includes 14 tracks of brutal, mostly fast, punishing sonic torment in 35+ minutes. The music is definitely on a ripping side of things than about showing technical flair. 'Mass Immolation' mixes English and American death, sometimes sounding Deicide and sometimes their countrymen Benediction. However, the North American influence is bigger, and the band also was inspired by the likes of Malevolent Creation and Morbid Angel, and they didn't even try to hide it, but mix things into their own kind of an alloy. While sounding more or less familiar throughout, there was plenty of stylings to grub from and place them into their own puzzle.

There are fast, ripping parts as well as pummeling, slower (not necessarily mid-paced or slow) bits where hacking guitars and double kick drums meet. There are surprisingly many part in shorter songs, too. The guitars are very much heavy-handed and thick all the way through, but there are some faster licks. Some spicings include non-distorted guitar work, appearing on over 4-minute long songs, and eerie lead guitar melody here and there (maybe not enough of it!), plus hellish soloing (in vein of Trey Azagthoth). The vocals are ugly, consisting of several distinct voices: Slimy growl is accompanied by lower growling and more high-pitched, demonic shrieking, and they are used together often, creating that Deicide feel. No bass guitar was utilized on this album, as there are such low frequencies via the guitars and the drums happening. The drums are thundering, but also annoyingly triggered, and overtly boxy toms sound basically shite.

The presentation of the album is also lacklustre, as there are no lyrics printed, and it isn't easy at all to hear the words. The cover artwork is inviting and effective, though, and really shouldn't make one wonder what's the band's genre. The label Lunasound Recording was more of a rock music one. I wonder how the heck the band and the label got working together...

Maybe the lack of promotion was how the band's fate was sealed, even though there was an EP 'Bow to None' released in 2009, featuring vocalist David Samuel from this album's line-up. Perhaps there were too much shifts in the band's line-up, and there was no spark left, and therefore it was game over for Infestation... But 'Mass Immolation' should be tested by the fans of Disinter (USA), Deicide and Infestdead, and generally those who enjoy fast and insane death metal.

Rating: 7+ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
09/11/2024 14:20