Music Review: Facebreaker - Infected

If you were ever looking for just the right band to clean your weapons too, this could be the band for you. Who hasn't been cleaning the barrel of a shotgun or been sharpening ax and just been at a loss of what to listen to? We've all been there.... or not. In any case, Facebreaker is a band that reminds me a little of Entombed, only a bit more intent on the face breaking over the entombing, if you know what I mean. Infected is this Swedish act's third full length album and my first exposure to them.



Facebreaker is a death metal act in very pure form. I cannot say that I hear them as being a terribly original act, but there is definitely something to be said for the refreshingly blunt manner in which they deliver their compositions. There are no -core elements to their sound, they do not stray into any crossover arenas, nor are they catering to anyone. This is music intended to destroy eardrums, crush skulls, and, yes, even break faces.

Infected drives home its sledgehammer riffs and horror movie slasher-like relentlessness in a matter of fact way. Aside from some vocal elements it seems to have been recorded with a delightful lack of studio trickery and manipulation. I can very easily see them destroying a stage and sounding just like they do here. Crushing riffs would turn the pit into a bloody pulp while the fringe bystanders are buoyed by some surprisingly melodic elements, all while the steady double bass of the drum attach ensures there are no survivors.




This is death metal that is sure to haunt the killer filled nightmares of fans. Metal has long been associated with horror, and this is a good example of why that relationship should continue.  When not pummeling live audiences, I picture them on the long road to Hell stomping zombies along the way. It is an interesting image to have, but it works.

The guitars have a dark, gritty, and meaty tone, similar to the slow and relentless approach of a zombie horde. On top of that, the vocals have a consistency of rotting flesh, and the drums may just as well be the quickening pulse of the few still alive.

Infected does not have much in the way of variety, but what it does is executed exceedingly well. It will have you rocking your head and grinning like a schoolgirl as the sound waves emanate from the speaker and steamroll you in your chair.

Facebreaker does not waste any time getting to the heart of the matter. They get in, do the job, and get out. The album runs a scant 37-minutes. This is likely for the best as this stuff is best experienced in chunk and not as an elongated affair. Although, I have to admit that I was left wanting more as the epic title track closes the album.

One of my favorite songs is "Cannibalistic." It is a song about, you guessed it, cannibals! It has a driving force behind it that I could not ignore. Right around the mid-point, everything slows down a bit and there are these sound effects in the background that sound like something ripping at human flesh, it is rather unsettling but so effective.

Bottomline. If you like gore-drenched, no-frills death metal, this is going to be for you. It benefits from strong production values and a singular vision. Prepare to be destroyed!

Recommended.