15 tracks form the German’s fifth full-length since ’99, although the opening ‘Call Of Ares’ is just an orchestral instrumental intro to ‘Gods Of War’, the first real metal number. Soaring vocals, clickety-clack double bass drums and high energy, twin Teutonic guitarwork is the name of the game here. Actually, the vocals of Oliver Strasser recall Tim “Ripper” Owens (circa his involvement with ICED EARTH, hear ‘Time To Bleed’, amongst others), particularly the upper register, which is the most prevalent. Military boots marching and chant start ‘Death From Above’, while the mid-tempo ‘My Last Breath’ owes a bit to MANOWAR, lyrically and in feel. Acoustics and echoing voice add something different to a slower, more mainstream ‘Endless Pain’. ‘Fire And Sword’ is speedy guitars from the outset, although new guitarist, Anna Olejniczak, the first female member of Custard (who provided the album artwork) adds backing vocals. Could have done with a little pruning, maybe a (baker’s) dozen tunes, total, as the later third seems a bit too repetitive. The concluding title track is 100 seconds of pizzicatto orchestral strings and rhythmic drums atop an a cappella voiceover. Otherwise, Infested By Anger is a simple pleasure, pure headbanging paradise!
