For more than two decades, Gravewürm must be one of the most active projects from the American Undergrounds. As from the very early nineties, Mister Funeral Grave did record tens of demos, tens of splits, a handful of EPs and eight full lengths. Infernal Minions is the ninth and those who are trusted with the abyssal and primitive Doom-Black will be pleased again. No, it does not differ that much from the latest efforts, and therefore this album might be ‘another Gravewürm-record’, one of the many. That’s a possible point of negativism. Another sad element is the sound, which is way too inferior again. Damn, a polished production would rape this kind of music, but this truly is too weak. Unfortunately it makes the whole sound less obscure and overwhelming as it could be.
But at the other hand, there are so many positive things to add as well. Infernal Minions brings the essence of Black Metal, the approach from the initial roots. It is stuff à la the First Wave, mingled with lots of occult and haunting themes (cf. the sometimes weird keyboard lines). The chilly and grim approach is something fans of the oldest school will adore for sure. Therefore a recommendation for fans of Beherit, NunSlaughter, Bathory, Necromantia, Root, Goatlord, Hellhammer and Venom. Or for fans of Hells Headbangers-material in general…