This is the fifth studio release for the cross-purposed sadistic masters of the "Kingdoms Of Your Life". This is the creatures of habit's debut for Pure Steel Records. Some of the forces from their lasting legacy remain, while others have altogether vanished. I myself at times become infested by anger and frustration when trying to accept their next fatal step. As the wheels of time spin, in the evolution of their sound structure, so do my degrees of hope. Perhaps CUSTARD wanted to break the barricades, but on this album, there are far too many mid-paced anthems, and not enough fire, fear or flames of aggression. At times, the style is too similar to ''Forces Remain", and not enough like "Wheels Of Time" or "For My King".

Do not misconstrue me, as the production is quite impressive, and there are clearly some ripping' cuts like the storming' "Gods Of War", or the pair of "Trooper" gallops found in "Death From Above". The triumphant final stand made by the never cowardly Leonidas in "300" will have you cheering and jeering for those lost at Marathon, while the steady signature infernal pounding pulse of "Time To Bleed" will echo in your soul. Here Chris Klapper and his war dogs of consternation return to the need for speed driven style for which we prefer. I am pleased that they are still aiming high, but perhaps they have gone one step too far with their latest metal tango.

I understand that they now have a female guitarist in the band who replaced Guido Girsch. Apparently Anna Olejniczak left the Thrash act METALETY to shine on in the sea of ambrosia. What baffles me is why CUSTARD have misheard Charon's Call, and now channel the likes of Kamelot with more mid-paced melodies and quite a few female vocals added to the mix. Trust me "Endless Pain" is no KREATOR cover.

When I first experienced these masters of the dichotomous riffs and renditions, I was reminded of BLIND GUARDIAN, REGICIDE, INSANIA etc.. As I continued to enjoy their Teutonic steel and mettle might template, I placed them in the same vein as ELVENPATH, BLACK HAWK, SENICIROW, or even HELLISH WAR. Now they have much more in common with the latest REBELLION and this is not necessarily a sign of progress.

The graft of warfare, death, endless pain, and overall belligerence seem to permeate the themes presented on "Infested By Anger". The guitar work is still exceptional, and there are several excellent and enchanted solos. Oliver Strasser's vocals continue to evoke whole-hearted passion as he chants with graphic imagery and personified darkness each gloomy lyric. Consider the horrific descriptive representations for the stalking "Dead Shall Rise" or the burning' "HellHeart".

Seasoned beatings and terror strike just as we prepare for the advent of the upcoming onslaught of our very own shopper's "Black Friday"- a timeless and tedious Tradition during the un-Holidaze. The sincerely searing suggestions of  the song "Black Friday" remind us of what the soldiers are fighting for, as they are struggling for a kind of peace. If this infamous Iranian insurrection is that to which the song alludes, then Ben Affleck's  new movie - "Argo" brings the memories closer to home

Like their previous album "Forces Remain", the title track is the coda, which brings the grim and grisly narrative to a fade out. I always like my slice of CUSTARD to be both bitter and sweet. This is how I feel about this album. I really celebrate what the bad create, I just do not want that all- encompassing, straight-forward speed and intensity to be lost forever. I think there are just too many songs not made for my liking, and the flow is quite uneven. The first half of the quick-march is much better than the last part, which almost falls out of step. There are too many fragments of absurdity. C'mon guys, I know you can do better.