Infestus — The Reflecting Void

Infestus, a one-man black metal band from Germany, returns with its fourth full-length, The Reflecting Void. According to the press release, the album is “A daring glimpse behind the mirror-like emptiness of the mind that only serves one purpose: to hide what lies underneath. A mental barrier unconsciously created by the existential need to burry unbearable emotions and experiences that corrode the “soul”.” The information ends with the grim words, “Catharsis is an illusion.”

Pretty dark stuff. But black metal is known for its less than cheery themes. It’s going to take more than that to excite me. What about the music? Well, Andras follows in the footsteps of the first one-man black metal band, and focuses on creating an atmosphere with his work instead of catchy and memorable riffs, though there are a few of those. The instrumental work is impressive from a technical standpoint, especially considering that The Reflecting Void is the work of just one person, but what’s most impressive about the album is the songwriting, but perhaps it would be more accurate to say the albumwriting. There’s a pervading sense of purpose to the album, and everything feels meticulously planned out. Great care was taken when crafting this album and it shows. Sections transition from harrowing bursts of black metal savagery to calmer, despondent passages in the same way that the eye of a hurricane offers a brief respite from the primal fury. Swirling patterns and riffs laced with despair and melancholy bear down with hyper focused ferocity. These eddies of black metal carry the listener inexorably towards a horrific end, an end that is both unimaginable and unescapable. Andras switches from familiar blackened rasps to insidious whispers frequently, always to remind the listener of the internal and ever pervading darkness each of us bears, yet most of us try to hide and repress.

The Reflecting Void is a fairly long album, but due to the way ruthless passages of black metal hurdle the listener ever forwards, along with the inclusion of calmer passages to allow for moments of introspection and reflection, it doesn’t overstay its welcome. An extremely clear production helps rather than hinders the album’s atmospheric qualities, and it lends an air of refined savagery to the work. The Reflecting Void should definitely be listened to in one sitting. It’s an album that requires a certain level of engagement from its listener to succeed, but if you’re willing to put in the effort, it’s a rewarding listen.