“Time, what is time?” A question that Moldovan metalcore band Infected Rain seek to explore in their latest opus, “Time“, which was released on February 9, 2024 via Napalm Records. While we may never have the answer, it’s certainly ripe for philosophical debate, and is a concept that this group values, especially when it pertains to their listeners. So, you needn’t worry about wastefully burning through it on their new album.
One thing we do know about time is that it has a tendency to bring changes. And in that regard, you should expect to witness a different line-up this cycle. It was announced by Infected Rain back in May 2023 that two of its long-serving members Sergey Babich (guitars; 2010-2023) and Vladimir Babich (bass; 2008-2023) had exited the group. No explanation was given for the departures, though to soften the blow it was simultaneously revealed that Alice Lane (Hand of Juno) would be joining them on an indefinite basis to take up bass duties. Anyone who has familiarity of Lane’s work will know what a boon this is to the band. The downsize to a four-piece composition doesn’t seem to have affected them either (although I can’t speak for the live implications). Vadim “Vidick” Ojog and Eugen Voluta both return on guitar and drums respectively, and of course most importantly – the enigmatic and prolific frontwoman Lena Scissorhands is back on vocals. And as long as she remains attached to the project, then it is safe to say that Infected Rain retains much, if not all, of its identity and appeal.
It’s a little strange to be reviewing an album where the first handful of tracks are already so well known to me thanks to their pre-release, but it is a validation of their standards that I’m happy to sit through and enjoy them again, instead of eagerly skipping to the new material. So, first up we have the hit singles “BECAUSE I LET YOU“, “DYING LIGHT“, and “NEVER TO RETURN“, and it’s an easy hat-trick for Infected Rain, who are simply out here kicking early goals with each of these headbangers. There is plenty of aggression on display in all, both in terms of the brutality of the instrumentation, and also with respect to Lena’s venomous screaming. At the same time, there are still many of the band’s signature lush harmonies, and mesmerising electronica elements to lull you into a blissful ‘trance-like’ hypnotic state. “NEVER TO RETURN” also throws a curveball with its distinctly far-Eastern flavour, as Lena shares a realisation: “Time, a lesson that we’ll never learn // Moments lost, never to return”.
The rest of the album holds up just as well. Infected Rain obviously saw the commercial potential of the next track “LIGHTHOUSE“, as this was dropped as a new single and music video shortly prior to the album’s launch. As a result, it was still relatively new to me at the time of review, but I could still instantly appreciate the more relaxed and mellow approach. The band fires up again for the curiously titled “THE ANSWER IS YOU“, indicating that their break is now over, and its back to the usual business of crushing skulls and taking names. “VIVARIUM” continues in much the same vein, and is another familiar tune given its reveal and single release about a month ago. It says a great deal about the calibre of this album that so many tracks are worthy of individual promotion. And indeed, practically any song on this album could fit that purpose if the band were so inclined. They are in the zone, it would seem. And their performances display a certain freedom and fluid mobility, even if the lyrics would tend to suggest the opposite mentality sometimes.
In this cage we call our own
Infected Rain – Vivarium
We are surrounded by a world of stone
Like birds that cannot fly
In this poisoned, empty sky
There is still plenty of time left on the clock for Infected Rain to impress, but the band are already well ahead on that front. “PANDEMONIUM” is simply that, as cascading metal riffs and EDM synths attempt to occupy the same moments in space and time. Lena’s guttural vocal fry effortlessly rips through the resulting chaos like a dagger, but she is also equally capable of switching gears, and melding the various layers together like glue, utilising the harmonising powers of her serene-sounding clean vocals. True to their titles, “ENMITY” is unmistakenly oozing with its hatred, whereas “UNPREDICTABLE” takes many unexpected twists and turns before it has completed. The surprises continue in the form of “GAME OF BLAME“, which begins with an ethereal keyboard section, before shifting into an addictively rhythmic groove and some Djent-y breakdowns in its final moments. The bilingual “PAURA” introduces further interesting moments to ponder over, and is more calmly paced as Lena offers the sage advice: “Remember to stop and breathe // Fear cannot tell you how to live”. We are then left with our thoughts on the instrumental outro “A SECOND OR A THOUSAND YEARS” which I strongly suspect is the band’s way of providing a moment to reflect on our recent aural experiences. The name also implies the variability of time, and that despite its constant nature, our sensation of it can change due to our own perception and subjective enjoyment. And this will no doubt be the case when judging the album itself. But from my perspective at least, “Time” is a worthwhile activity, and one I will gladly repeat in future.
Verdict: Infected Rain’s “Time” is a brilliant way for listeners to while away this precious commodity. It’s a highly focused album that is completely devoid of filler – and ironically timeless. The sheer strength of the compositions guarantees that it is not just an album to satisfy the present day, but one that will surely last the ages as well.