Album Review: The Infernal Sea – Hellfenlic (Candlelight Records)

Three years after the release of their critically acclaimed album Negotium Crucis, the faceless fiends of The Infernal Sea return with their latest offering. The black metal entities take us further down their darkened path on fourth studio album, Hellfenlic, which will rise from the burning ashes of heretics on January 26th, 2024, via Candlelight Records.

It is simply wonderful that in 2024, The Infernal Sea’s blackened sound is just as horrible as it was in 2012 with their debut album, Call Of The Augur. As the years have ticked by, the fire that burns in their soul only seems to increase in power and once again, they deliver an album that captures unrelenting black metal power creativity perfectly.

An album that focuses on the murder and persecution of so-called witches perpetrated by the Puritan Church in East Anglia (UK). Told through the eyes of the Witchfinder General, Matthew Hopkins.

It’s fair to say that The Infernal Sea rarely put a foot wrong when it comes to assaulting the mind, body, and soul with their elaborate heavy wickedness and most will be sold on the merits of this new record from the start with Lord Abhorrent.

The black metal is strong with this one, a four-minute-odd blast of furious speed and heaviness. Coated with a delicious delivery that long-term fans will be so familiar with. It’s chaos, but chaos that draws souls to its centre. It, and what follows, represents the very best that black metal can be, and The Infernal Sea surely represent the best of black metal.

Case in point, Shadow of the Beast and Witchfinder. The former is innately savage, but the overall vibe is enhanced by subtle use of dark ambience. The shifting tones of the instruments, and the differing vocal styles makes this one hearty effort that reveals layer upon layer, the more it is heard. Whereas the latter’s thicker guitar and drum sound has a certain kind of groove to it, and the atmosphere is really swirling around here. The drop that allows the bass to really shine, before the rest of the instruments lead things back to a fiery finish, is phenomenal sounding. This track is going to be immense live.

Though when The Infernal Sea just go wild with a more traditional style of black metal, as they do with The Hunter, nobody will be complaining either. This is The Infernal Sea at their heaviest sounding and when they let loose, they are untouchable.

So far, so good, and there’s no drop in quality as Bastard of the East brings blackened misery that suffocates the soul. Moving at a frenetic pace but turning into something more akin to death in the final minute. Apt really, considering the subject matter. This is the shit that will make you head bang until it hurts.

How awesome is the punky hardcore start of Black Witchery? Don’t ever say that The Infernal Sea don’t know how to have some fun. Though fear not, it is still black metal, just be prepared for some surprises as it delves into speed metal territories, has a great drum/bass only section, and a short, but screeching guitar solo. It’s different, but not so much, that it’s not recognisably The Infernal Sea.

By contrast, Frozen Fen is all about darkness. A darkness that pours from The Infernal Sea and infects the senses. The slower tempo really allowing the instruments to shine but complimented by some of the most horrifying vocals heard across the album.

Finally, it’s Messenger of God and The Infernal Sea go big here, aiming to put the exclamation point on these dark stories and the mindset of the man the album is focused on. Showcasing more melody, having folky-inspired touches, but being unrelentingly harsh. Here, the sense of perceived purpose and belief is at its strongest, and it is up there as one of the finest tracks this band has ever put out there.

Another year, another fantastic release from The Infernal Sea. This one seems less complex, and with that, comes a tighter and more focused sounding band. Each track is immense on its own, but together, they make up a black metal album that few will be able to top this year.

The Infernal Sea – Hellfenlic Track Listing:

1. Lord Abhorrent
2. Shadow Of The Beast
3. Witchfinder
4. The Hunter
5. Bastard Of The East
6. Black Witchery
7. Frozen Fen
8. Messenger Of God

Links

Bandcamp | Spotify | Big Cartel | Facebook | Instagram | X