INFERNAL ANGELS – Shrine of Black Fire

Infernal Angels have reached 22 years of career and show no signs of slowing down. There’s no reason to stop, especially if every step forward brings improvement. Since 2002, the band has seen changes in location plus lineup shifts and label switches with each album. Yet they always remain under the guidance of mastermind XeS. His decisions have proven spot-on in every respect. The results are clear in their latest release, Shrine of Black Fire.

 

A look back at the band’s evolution reveals striking differences between their early and current sound. In the beginning, the symphonic black metal of Dissection and Cradle of Filth clearly dominated Shining Evil Light. Gradually, this sound transformed—growing more extreme—until it reached its most refined black/death form in this latest record.

 

The brief instrumental intro, Abyss Oath, leads directly into the two-part opener: In The Silence Ov Tehom and The Horizon Eats The Sun And Other Stars. The two newest members, Asdraeth (bass) and Postmortem (drums), shine brightest here—their rhythm section is fast, suffocating, and possessed, perfectly supporting XeS‘ growls and the razor-sharp guitar work of Apsychos and Nekroshadow. As the album progresses, the transition to the next two tracks, Fire as Breath and A Gateway To Purification, is marked by a stark tempo shift; these songs slow things down drastically without diminishing the infernal atmosphere established earlier. If anything, they enhance it. XeS channels Lucifer through his abyssal vocals. The guitars deliver sinister riffs. These tracks could have been a bit shorter, especially the fully instrumental second one. Still, they effectively showcase the band’s compositional skills. This skill is further evident in The Flame Burns Brighter In The Darkness, which returns to fast, obsessive rhythms and elaborate, lightning-fast riffing. The transition to the final two tracks— I Am the Thoughtless Light and the lengthy title track—introduces more melodic passages that, while not adding much to the album’s core, beautifully close the record and linger in the listener’s mind.

 

Whether this represents Infernal Angels’ ultimate evolution is hard to say. One thing is clear: Shrine of Black Fire is their most polished and elaborate work to date. Over their discography, this progression is obvious. Step by step, their sound has grown in quality, intensity, and stylistic range. We can’t wait for the next chapter.