Infected Rain – Ecdysis Review

February 2022 – Dublin

I am writing this time about a musician and a band we all know; Lena Scissorhands from Infected Rain, who just released their album “Ecdysis” through Napalm Records. To give a full picture in this review I’ve joined D Metal Galaxy conversation with Lena to get some depth about “Ecdysis”.

Infected Rain is a band I have listened to for quite some time, meaning I have listened to few of their albums. Asulym their first one, 86 and Endorphin, however it will be the first time I am writing a review about this band. For this reason I am also taking into account how the band has evolved since their first album. In this review I will discuss the music, the lyrics, the artwork, videos and in the end I will give a summary.

Music

The way how “Ecdysis” is opening is astonishing. Infected Rain used some electronical elements in their music already, but this intro has a much different sound. It is fresh, modern and untypical luring you into listening to the album. What’s more, the intro patiently takes it’s time to introduce you to the music. Then at the end it closes, which is also very untypical. It gives closure to the album in an impressive way.

I would say, Infected Rain has become a bit more experimental in this album and less faithful to the metalcore genre. As a result, you will hear some soundtrack and electronic elements that all enhance the listening experience and lay the groundwork for diversity.

that all enhance the listening experience and lay the groundwork for diversity.

Furthermore, Lena uses a different singing technique on this album and there’s a lot of different vocal ranges in this “Ecdysis”, which creates a diverse layer and enhances the experimental part.

Another thing that I love about this album is the production part. Compared to previous albums, it seems the band have aimed for a modern production making the vocal and instrumental parts much more crystal clear.

All the elements above have contributed in making “Ecdysis” much more mature, organic & diverse than all albums before. Making it a great album for first time metalcore listeners as well as fans who certainly will be surprised.

“ECDYSIS HAS THE BEST PACING AND DIVERSITY OF ALL ALBUMS”

Lyrics

Ecdysis again leans very heavily on Lena’s own life experiences. For example the song “Nine, Ten” is based on her Insomnia experience, whereas “Goodbye” is the struggle to fully let some things just go. Next to writing about her own experience each of the songs have a certain message, such as learning to stand for yourself and protect your inner world. Personally, I love the lyrics of “Fighter” which is about a femine figure that has gone through so much and still fights.

Despite this, the album had the same approach as the previous ones. I believe “Ecdysis” is Lena’s best work from a lyrics perspective. For me the album is the most intense and relatable one. It might be because spending a lot of time at home for the last 2 years has brought up intense emotions, but as well as the time to process a lot of thoughts and putting them on paper.

But there is something else at play. A lot of songs are easy to remember and shout along. Before I knew it, I was shouting along to “Fighter”, “Shower”, “Longing”; actually every song. This was something I was missing on Endorphin. I can’t exactly say why I am so attracted to these songs, but the way they are written in some way spark recognition and engagement, something none of the other albums have done in such capacity.

Another thing I love is the very fact that the song titles are straightforward. You can hint what emotions will be unleashed as well as the topic. To give an example,  the song “Fighter” you know is about a struggle, surviving and fighting despite odds. This is an element, haven’t seen so much in the other albums.

“ECDYSIS HAS THE MOST INTENSE, PERSONAL & RECOGNISABLE LYRICS”

Artwork

The creation of the artwork is quite an interesting journey. According to Lena “the idea just literally came during the shooting of Postmortem” and was created by Viddick and Victoria. I think it is a brilliant way as Postmortem is an excellent song opening and closing “Ecdysis” and the artwork symbolises a “Cocoon”. The cocoon fits very well with the lyrics as a lot of topics and emotions are unleashed.

Videos

As always Infected Rain combines its album with astonishing video making. There were two songs that really spoke to me: “Fighter” and “Postmortem”.

“Fighter” is an intense song being delivered in two ways: you see two girls fighting and Lena herself in front of a mirror bringing the emotions across. It is interesting how they loaded the emotional level into the video.

As I have already said “Postmortem” is the opening & closure of the album as well as the core of the artwork. Next to this, it brings the core elements of the lyrics alive. All the emotions are being unleashed when the cocoon pops open.

Summary

In short, I quite enjoyed “Ecdysis” as it is a huge step forward for a band that already creates excellent music. The music is better paced and much more diverse, whereas the lyrics are much more intense, personal and recognisable and all this is packed in intense and astonishing videos.

“ECDYSIS IS THE MOST INTENSE ALBUM I HAVE EVER LISTENED TO”
MAIr