Album Review: Infex - Burning In Exile
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings
There’s something distinctly British in feel about the thrash that Infex play. It’s a muscular, gritty style that the likes of Onslaught, Shrapnel and Evile deliver. The surprise therefore is that Infex hail from the Bay Area. Regardless, the UK feel is present. Two earlier releases, 2012’s ‘Circling the Drain’ and 2016’s ‘Killing for Jesus’ saw the band develop their sound. A couple of line up changes in 2019 preceded the third long-player which is now being released in a variety of formats. Conceived and recorded during 2020, the title track is reference to the way the album came together.
Anchored firmly in the classic thrash of their forefathers, such as Exodus, Slayer and Death Angel, Infex also include a fair element of cross-over and old school hardcore, with the likes of Discharge, Cryptic Slaughter and DRI also in the mix. It’s a battery of ever more aggressive riffs that races along for the entire 37 minutes and which should go down well with those who like their thrash in its purest form.
It’s visceral and solidly played, with Jack Childs vocals moulded in classic style, ‘Burning in Exile’ is another of those numerous ‘old school’ thrash albums that there is little to find fault with. ‘Acid Reign’ (not a tribute to the UK Applecore thrashers) sees the band adopt the Testament ‘Demonic’ era approach with a darker death metal feel. ‘Beer Run’ adds a touch of humour, with the opening shout “hey! We’re all out of beer” sparking a frantic thrasher which matches the panic we would all feel with that cry! Closing song ‘7.62’ opens with the ‘Rifleman’s Creed’, made famous in Full Metal Jacket and is a blistering conclusion to the album. No holds barred, heads down mosh pit inducing. You get the idea.
Kelly Schaefer of Atheist recently commented that there is little innovation in thrash metal now. Infex would probably be case in point. ‘Burning in Exile’ follows a blueprint that many have used before. It doesn’t make it wrong in anyway, and if you enjoy your thrash raw and fast but in a similar vein to many others, then this album should be on your list.
