Artist: Infernal Execrator
Country: Singapore
Label: Pulverised Records
Formats: LP / CD
Year: 2023
Infernal Execrator, ever since their inception in 2005 they have been pounding our collective eardrums on a more than regular basis and with their uncompromising style of blending Black- and Death Metal they have propelled themselves to the forefront of the Singaporean extreme metal scene. Pretty much straight in line with what we could call the trademark Black/Death Metal sound of that tiny Asian country, paying homage to classic bands like Impiety and Abhorer.
But while Infernal Execrator is explicitly and proudly wearing the heritage of their native sound on their sleeves, over the past few years they have been adding some new elements to their Black/Death Metal blend that makes them stand out of the pack more than before. On the 2014 debut album ‘Ad Infinitum Satanic Adherent’ the band sported a more standard and slightly interchangeable sound, while far from being bad it was on its follow-up that appeared in 2018 (‘Obsolete Ordinance’) that Infernal Execrator started to stretch its potential. The standard building blocks of the familiar Singaporean sound were and still are present: the all-scorching seething speed, the grinding guitars and the all-encompassing chaos. But a few years ago, the band managed to surprise friend and foe alike by adding melody to their standard recipe.
On ‘Diabolatry’ the band builds on where it left off before. Their tried and tested formula of the wild frenzy of speedy Black/Death Metal is now further enhanced with Necrophobic-like melodies. Not in each song in equal measures, but just enough to give the music a bit more volatile and versatile energy. I would almost state that the band sounds fresher than ever before, at least with the newly added dynamics they sound more vital. For sure the fast and aggressive parts sound even more fierce and more violent. For those who have been following the development of the band will not be surprised about the current state of the band, but they might be even delighted by the progression they made in their way of song writing. The addition of a more melodic sound definitely opened up a lot of new doors with countless of new possibilities but in the process Infernal Execrator also made sure not to close any of the previously used doors to stay close to their native and musical roots.
Although Infernal Execrator has quite an impressive back catalogue, ‘Diabolatry’ is only their third full-length offering. They have always taken their time to properly craft their art, which has earned them two good albums in the past and with ‘Diabolatry’, they have surpassed themselves without question. These days, it’s not very fashionable to take years to complete your new album, but if this then is the result, you will not hear me complain.
