Review: Inferno “Gnosis Kardias (Of Transcension and Involution)”

Inferno “Gnosis Kardias (Of Transcension and Involution)”
W.T.C. Productions

Inferno from Czech Republic is with us for a long time, formed in 1995 and since then they have spawned quite a big number from releases: 6 LPs, few demos and an awful amount of splits with other bands notably Infernal War, Negura Bunget and Besatt.

Things took a turn with their 2009 release Black Devotion where the band started using English song titles while still using their native tongue in the lyrics (the reason why you check in our interview with their vocalist Adramelech here: http://antichristmagazine.com/interview-inferno-czech/ ).This album is the one I was introduced. Very much impressed with the record with their old school formula but with the interesting twist of their own.

So you can imagine my surprise when heard their new album Gnosis Kardias (Of Transcension and Involution).

To my shame I skipped their last album Omniabsence Filled by His Greatness from 2013 (which is remedied as we speak) that clearly showed the path the band has taken but again, this new one is a beast of its own.

Gnosis Kardias (Of Transcension and Involution) is off center even for orthodox black metal albums from acts like Funeral Mist, Ofermord and early material from Ondskapt.  In every good way possible. The most unconventional black metal album I have heard in my recent memory. It’s not your everyday ´´blast beats all the way˙˙ record, it has these things sure, quite a lot, but this is a highly atmospheric album first and foremost.

Layers upon layers of it.

On the production side, it shows improvement over the last few albums. Gone is the rough sound and here with the clear production without any problems shows you what the hell is happening here. It would be a shame that the sound is rough even by a little. With the sound like this really gives a specific vibe whose praises goes to Necromorbus who has done recording, mixing and mastering.

Vocals are out of this world and it perfectly blends with the music, at first they seem inaudible a bit but soon you will realize that Adramelechs ungodly vocals are a part of the infernal sonic assemble as it is everything else in the record. Vocals as everything else will take a while to digest it, but when that happens it really gets under your skin and freezes your blood.

Standout tracks are hard to find because the album really works as a whole. During the listening you really don’t notice the next track is actually playing, you just go on with the majestic black metal journey which this album offers.

Inferno had released their magnum opus for sure and possibly my favorite black metal album of this year.