TARDIGRADE INFERNO is an Avant-Garde/Dark Metal band formed in Russia in 2016. The claim to be “the world’s only representative of Dark Cabaret Metal. This is the band’s second full-length album, and it has eleven songs. “Ringmaster Has to Die” is first. The opening tones are electronic and heavy, and the vocals are a bit on the cheesy side. Is thus music intended to be a bit “tongue in cheek?” It is also a bit on the thin side. “Clockwork God” as a similar heavy sound, and at times, it sounds like the band is playing inside a Metal enclosure of some sort. This song is a little less on the cheesy side, but the keyboards keep it crossed over a bit.

“Cholera” has more of those child-like keyboards, in the sense that the music has hints of childhood story telling. Of course, these songs are probably not for kids, and although the band has some strong musicianship, the music is just too weird for me. “Tick-Tock” also as some heavier structures, but again, the music borders on cheesy for much of the album. I appreciate the dark nature of the album, however. “Little Princess” is more of a cohesive whole, and dark skies and black clouds line the sound. You can also really hear the strong vocals of Darya in this song, as well as thick bass notes. This song is sinister. “Splinter in the Eye” is a shorter song with an a memorable, anthemic sound.

“Wearing White” has another solid structure but again, the keyboards keep it crossed into the campy side of the genre, and I have to question why any band would want to mark themselves with this kind of sound. The title track closes the album. It showcases the band’s musicianship as well as the stellar production on the album. Overall, and I have mentioned this many times through this review, the best two parts of the album are the production and the band’s level of musicianship. Unfortunately, the overly cheesy nature of the album will keep it from reaching many Metal fans, and sticking in their heads.