Human Infection - "Infest To Ingest"
February 2, 2012
Producer(s): Trey Richards & Human Infection
Suffocation and Cannibal Corpse are two of the most respected, popular and identifiable Death Metal acts on the planet. Both bands showcase Brutal and Technical songwriting yet contain their own individual sound and approach respectfully.
It only seems right to start off 2012 with a brand new band and debut album that took the daunting challenge of writing and perfecting a very old school sounding slab of Death Metal. While maintaining their own individual approach to their music they have directly or indirectly, in my mind, merged two of the best sounding Death Metal Icons into one brand new band full of promise and surprises. The band: Human Infection. The album: "Infest To Ingest".
With this album the first thing that blew me away was the overall guitar sound. This record while brand new, gives off feelings of nostalgia for any long time Death-head, because of the consistency, individuality and intricate yet cunning talents of guitarist Andrew Mathews. Andrew's writing style is something truly to nod your head at. While his writing is completely his own, his style makes ears wonder if Terrance Hobbs (of Suffocation) and Pat O'Brien (of Cannibal Corpse) are playing in the same band, no joke.
Some songs like "Perversely Possessed", "Ungodly Reanimation" and my personal favorite tune off this record "Extremities" showcase, in my mind, a strong Terrance Hobbs influence in the rhythm writing of Mathews' playing. While on the flip-side of the coin tunes like "Vile Disposal", "Sheer Terror" and "Virulent Virtue " show off a strong Pat O'Brien influence in the rhythm writing in my opinion.
As for the lead-playing approach on this record. Again, while Andrew Mathews is his own type of player, I find his use of quick, sporadic sweeping patterns and his chaotically driven leads compared to meticulously composed leads, to pay at least partial homage to that of the style of Pat O'Brien.
To see the grand design and purpose Human Infection was going for with this record look to these three tracks: "Unspeakable Acts of Violence", "Within Sickened Prospects" and "Seed of Madness". With these three tunes being the most musically elite, you really see the unique entity that Human Infection really is. Combining all their different influences while still adding their own unexampled twists and turns; truly giving them a sound of their own. However, at the same time of giving us something new to think about, they blend just the right amount of old school traditions to show us their musical origins, what they're about and what they want to accomplish in the future: To further add, develop and leave their own mark in the world of Death Metal.
With all the talk about guitars on this record I must comment that the drumming is supreme sounding as well. CJ Giles is a very tight time-keeper who reminds me of a cross between Paul Mazurkiewicz (of Cannibal Corpse) and Pete Sandoval (of Morbid Angel & Terrorizer). CJ demonstrates very tight and precise blast-beats along with superb double-kick work, very much to the likes of Mr. Mazurkiewicz. While his sense of using the entire drum-set to it's full capabilities to me is a strong and trademark trait of Mr. Sandoval (who also has very proficient blasting and double kick abilities as well).
Another major point of interest and amazement to me on this record is that of the vocal performance of frontman Andrew Brown. Andrew is an extremely young and promising talent (having just celebrated 18th birthday recently.) With any kind of talent though there is always room for improvement. First off I must say I'm extremely impressed with his performance, but with Human Infection and "Infest To Ingest" being his first band and album ever, I personally felt his phrasing was a little off at a couple of different points throughout the record. That's something that's only going to improve with time and I feel strongly that Andrew will do just fine. His timing, depth and for the most part phrasing is right on the bulls-eye, it just comes with the more experience and the more gigs you play.
Any band is not complete without a bassist, and in Human Infection's case Hank James is the man they turn to. His thunderous and groove based approach to playing will fester in your brain for days upon finishing this record. At times his playing is a little bit buried on this album but when you fully hear what he's pulling off on his fret-board you will be headbanging and playing air-Bass at the same time. On top of his playing abilities Hank also serves as backing vocalist as well, belting out all the higher pitched gutterals. At shows all us fans I'm sure will shout with him in unison his line in the tune "Vile Disposal": "WE MUST STRIVE AWAY FROM FAITH!!!!".
I wouldn't call "Infest To Ingest" a masterpiece but rather an album that is the first major stepping stone to creating the masterpiece that every band wants to set out to do. I'm not saying their next album will be that masterpiece, it could be their third, fourth, fifth maybe even eighth album!! Who knows is what I'm trying to get at. The fact of the matter is this: This band has some serious talent of blending the old school with the new school and that should be a big enough reason to pick up "Infest To Ingest" and start following their career. Human Infection has everything it takes to become a successful band within the world of Death Metal, all they are waiting for is you to buy their album.
My Killer Kutz: "Extremities", "Within Sickened Prospects" and "Unspeakable Acts of Violence"
