Infernaeon - Genesis to Nemesis

Imagine if Cradle of Filth was a Death Metal band?  Instead of rasps and squeals, Dani Filth got guttural. Well, picture that and you have Florida’s Infernaeon. Actually, that Cradle of Filth comparison cuts them a bit short, but the melodic guitars and the keyboards almost forces the loose comparison.

Opener “Into the N.O.X.”  is a slightly symphonic intro that sets up the mood for the album but also finds keyboardist Dave Stein channeling John Carpenter.  The majority of the track sounds akin to something from one of his creepier flicks of the ‘80s.  The beginning moments of “First of the Fallen” is where the Cradle of Filth comparison does actually ring true with the high-in-the-mix keyboards and the warped Iron Maiden-esque riffing.  The track weaves back and forth between Black and Death Metal and some of the melodic hooks are top-shelf.  “Lilith Ave Satanas” does a rather drastic about-face.  The song still retains the melodies and creepy keyboards, but takes on a more a Brutal Death Metal approach.

“Legacy of Kane” starts out with a fantastic keyboard intro and then quickly shifts into Brutal Death Metal fused with Melodic Black Metal.  Erik Rutan throws in some guest roars and the track rumbles along nicely. “Ziasudra” focuses more on the Blackened aspects and shows a lot more restraint than the previous tracks as the melodies and grooves follow in a more structural order. GWAR’s Oderus commands the vocals on the stunt cover of “Creeping Death.” This versoin is juiced up with keyboards, more aggressive drumming and splendid soloing.  Oderus’ snarling approach is one of his most ferocious and leaps above vocalist Brian Werner’s guttural roar.  The track is a bit out of place on the disc but Infernaeon’s more melodic moments and use of Oderus actually make for interesting and successful cover. 

“The Scar of David” is where Infernaeon shows up and stuns.  The track builds from the acoustic introduction into an undulating riff monster. Here the band seems to control their amalgamated style much better allowing for logical tempo changes and a better use of the keyboards. “Immaculate Deception” returns to the Brutal slant but spices up the song with some rather atypical riffing.  “Graven Image” is a rather drastic change as the band utilizes Thrash conventions and ditches the Brutal and Black aesthetics except for the gratuitous moments. “Revelations” closes the album out and is a blizzard of dizzying riffing and drastic tempo changes.

Genesis to Nemesis wobbles between impressive and excessive. Some of the tracks feature some truly impressive moments while others are soggy, sounding tossed together. And it is the transitions that kind of gum up the works.  Several songs seem like a patchwork of styles to try and reach out to as many Metalheads as possible.  The lyrics also fall short.  The sophomoric swearing and juvenile insults to Christianity makes some of Glen Benton’s lyrical output seem profound.  So while those moments drag heavily on the disc, some of the melodies, solos and keyboard hooks are truly successful. Thus leaving Genesis to Nemesis stuck in limbo.  Fans of Symphonic Black Metal and Brutal Death Metal are clearly being catered to, it’s just the jam-packed and ADD song structures leave the disc falling mostly flat. Infernaeon is clearly onto something. Unfortunately, Genesis to Nemesis grows very little after repeat listens.

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*Comments:

December 18, 2010

Reviewer: Rottenbucher

Release Date: August 31, 2010
Label: Prosthetic Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Into the N.O.X.
2.  First of the Fallen
3.  Lilith Ave Satanas
4.  Legacy of Kane
5.  Ziasudra
6.  Creeping Death
7.  The Scar of David
8.  Immaculate Deception
9.  Graven Image
10.  Revelations

Total playing time:  56:13