Review INFEST “Ambassadors of Aggression”

Infest from Serbia has been delivering death-/thrash metal since 2002. The three-piece band has released six albums and, four years after revealing “Psychosis,” they are back with their latest effort.
“Ambassadors of Aggression” is a fitting title. The ten songs are filled with blasting power, starting with the massive opener, “Man-God.” There’s no time to slowly acclimate to these songs, as the opener hits you with full force.

The next song, “Songs of Violence,” is another strike from the trio, making it clear that their music isn’t built on compromises. Blasting riffs and aggressive vocals characterize a song that comes at you with a hellish grin.

Infest doesn’t lose any energy when they start the title track. It’s another raging metal track that represents the aggressiveness of thrash metal and the ferocious elements of death metal. Sometimes, you might get the impression that the band is getting ahead of itself, especially during high-speed headbangers such as “Screaming Your Name.” However, they always keep the ball in the ballpark.

Infest’s pedal-to-the-metal approach is the powerful factor of “Ambassadors of Aggression.” At the same time, the album’s raging energy sacrifices musical nuances and twists. “Requiem of the Balkans” breaks the album’s pattern of fury as it starts acoustically with local musical influences. but most of the songs, though, rely solely on speed and frantic riff power, which can be tiring the more you listen to this album.

“Ambassadors of Aggression” is exactly what the title suggests. These ten songs live by the power and relentless energy included in each tune. The album’s strength also becomes a weakness as things eventually become predictable. A few twists to the general approach would have benefited this raging metal album.