German Black Metal duo Infernal Presence are re-launching their debut release Fiery Paths on a grander scale. It originally manifested earlier this year, firstly as a digital offering, then as a cassette and this time, no doubt due to the popularity of that first independent release, it will be available as a CD and limited-edition vinyl, as well as digital, with alternative artwork this time around.
Infernal Presence – Fiery Paths
Release Date: 26 November 2025
Words: Jools Green
As a band, Infernal Presence are certainly rising from the murky depths rapidly. Having formed recently in 2023, listening to this offering, this is understandable. Fiery Paths is a pretty impressive first release. But as the band members are known only by their initials, D on drums and M. N. covering vocals and guitars, I have no idea as to their identity or past musical achievements.
But the composition and delivery of this offering is that of very experienced musicians.
Fiery Paths is a compact six tracks spanning twenty-eight minutes with a sound they describe as Obscure Death Metal, but there is also a defined blackened undercurrent there, too.
Vocally, it is raw, semi-spoken with a sinister echo which adds hugely to the atmosphere of the release, reminiscent, as a point of reference, of M. Czerwoniuk of UK Death Black outfit Wode. Musically, it has a raw, gritty feel. You might detect passing nods to the likes of Watain, Mayhem, Dissection or early Ondskapt.
When it comes to the lyrics, they are dark and esoteric, so you can make up your own mind about the messages therein.
Fiery Paths opens with Into The Obscure, a two-and-a-half-minute instrumental delivered at a slow, controlled pace that builds gradually in dark layers. Each step adds to the sinister blackened atmosphere, making a superb piece.
The pace ramps up for the dark driving Eternal Exodus, where you get the first taste of those deep, echoey, and sinisterly superb vocals. A seemingly straightforward piece, it is impactful through the well-punctuated riffs, slick switching and gritty density to the sound. The lyrics are delivered with the same dynamic punctuation as the riffs.
Searing riffs and ominous bass notes herald the arrival of the dark and gloomy Tomb Procession. A slower, sinister-paced plodder of a track, the vocals echo with even more of an unnerving aspect to their delivery than the predecessors.
With the second half ebbing back briefly in pace but at the same time upping the disquieting content of the piece, before making a final closing riff and a rich driving assault, overall, a hugely engaging piece.
Dark and sinister from the offset, Beyond The Blackness oozes suspense as it opens with ominous riffs and precise drum rhythm. A thunderous opening roar heralds a rise in tempo and unleashes a mix of undulating, sometimes chugging waves of riffs with the vocals oozing through with menace. Well-placed pauses and drops in pace build suspense further.
Penultimate piece, Souls Of Unlight, holds that grippingly sinister atmosphere firmly in place with its slower pace, fuzzy riffing, and suspenseful phrasing. A piece filled with the direction switches that are unpredictable and thrilling, again, the vocals and precise drum rhythms impact hugely on the already dark atmosphere, especially when mirrored by the riffs.
Self-titled final offering Infernal Presence maintains the sinister and attention-grabbing atmosphere of its predecessors. Restrained bass lines and cymbals open, gradually building in layers with fuzzy riffage. Then, more guitars are all delivered at a slower, sinister pace.
When the vocal kicks in, they add a cavernous, dark aspect, especially as the pace gathers. I love the dramatically effective nature of the ebb and build of the sound. Falling back during the non-lyrical segments, sometimes to a slow, sinister proportion, it builds again dramatically when the vocals return, creating volumes of dark atmosphere.
Fiery Paths is a crusher of an album, a compelling listen end to end.
Infernal Presence release Fiery Paths on 26 November 2025 via Darkness Shall Rise Productions and is available to pre-order from Du hast nach Infernal Presence gesucht – Darkness Shall Rise Productions.
