INFERNAL TENEBRA – As Nations Fall
- Posted on 04-02-2016
Croatia’s Infernal Tenebra fourth studio album "As Nations Fall" is another shining example of taking adequate time to construct a progressive, melodic death metal album. The band just has a way of switching up a classic mid-tempo harmony oriented riff with insane extreme blast beats to keep the hairs standing at full attention – check out the crazy churning taps against rhythmic ferocity for "Suspension of Disbelief".
Keyboard elements add another slice to the opening of the title track – but overall the feel of this record keeps the aggression churning in that Slayer, Morbid Angel, or Death manner, as the vocals of guitarist Darko Etinger resonate in a gritty gravelly growl that is clear while monstrous for another highlight "Legally Insane". Their blackened roots still come through at times, most evident on the speedier "The End Justifies the Means" – but there is always an underlying melodic current running through the riffing, harmonies, and overall construction of their material. The lead work isn’t all shred to the sky efforts – check out the measured flow for "The Serpents Crawl" and know Infernal Tenebra reach into a lot of early 80’s axe play for inspiration, while closer "Black Sun" even features bassist Paolo Grizonic getting into the act for a layered three-part solo break in blitzkrieg tapping fashion.
Smartly waiting 4 years between records (probably due to a decent amount of overseas touring and festival action taking up time in the interim), "As Nations Fall" is for those who appreciate a little more attention to hook detail while still being technical, progressive, and heavy in the death genre. 42 minutes of intense music here.