U.S. Melodic Black Metal horde, Lenax, have released full-length debut album, Infection! Click the links to stream/buy!
lenaxmetal.bandcamp.com/album/infection
open.spotify.com/album/1Iim8jhhDqGp9FcVJZTfFr
music.apple.com/us/album/infection/1810126539
“Infection is a varied album that never gets boring and works just as well whether you feel like headbanging or just kicking back and relaxing.” (4/5)
– Metal Crypt
“The Lovecraftian cosmic horror brought into being by Lenax in their new album is truly outstanding, and if you dare to not listen to it, may the band haunt you in your deepest nightmares for all eternity.“
– The Headbanging Moose
“Some frightening shit! (You should) buy this record.”
– The Great Metal Debate
“Infection is an interesting debut by Lenax, who strive to bring new meaning to the genre’s classic sound, achieving some great moments on this album. Recommended if you’re a fan of black metal.” (8.2/10)
– Metallerium
“Infection has nine tracks where a lot of menace, power and darkness are placed in a cold environment.”
– Musika
“If you are a fan of aggressive and melodic black metal, you should check out this album!”
– Occult Black Metal Zine
“Consistency reigns supreme in Infection. It’s nostalgic, yet it still manages to carve out its own sound.”
– Metal Eclipse Reviews
For fans of Watain, Immortal, and Enslaved, Lenax presents a style of melodic black metal infused with just the right amount of black n roll to land themselves in a rather unique position within the genre.
With lyrical themes based around esotericism, individuality, and cosmic horror, Infection paints either a picture of destruction and horror, or one of death and rebirth, depending on the stance of the listener. Does one succumb to a future of mindlessness in a hive mind apocalypse, or do they break free from the chains that bind us to the material world? Would you meet the dark man at the crossroads to sell your soul, and are you prepared to offer up payment when he comes to call? In all, this is a solid 40 minutes of modern black metal with enough DNA to show the band’s roots in the early second wave, while managing to craft something unique in their delivery.
The band proudly returned to work with mix engineer Ilarion Ivanenko, who produced the previous singles in 2024. Mastering was completed by Øystein Brun at Crosound Studios in Norway. With a long history and a solid reputation in extreme music, including his band Borknagar, Øystein brought out the fine tuning needed to make this record shine.
Track Listing:
1 – Worship Hymn
2 – Leeches
3 – Chains
4 – Crossroad Black
5 – Hive Mind Apocalypse
6 – We Are Legion
7 – Plague Bringer
8 – Overdrive
9 – Throne of the Forsaken
Cover art by David DeFigueredo.
Lenax is:
Venomous (Vocals, Guitar)
Mordred (Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Bones (Drums)
Additional Musicians:
Hephaestus (Bass)
Maikon (Drums)
BIO:
Lenax are a Nashville-based melodic black metal band that first emerged in November 2022 as the brainchild of guitarist and vocalist Venomous. The project evolved from a solo act into a full-fledged band known by a growing fanbase for their distinct blend of aggressive old-school black metal with esoteric and symphonic elements.
Drawing inspiration from a wide array of black metal bands from established titans to the obscure, the “Big Four” of thrash metal, and even a dash of classic heavy acts like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, Lenax’s signature sound pays homage to their influences while establishing them as pioneers of something new altogether dubbed by Venomous as “cosmic horror fueled nightmares.” — an immersive sonic rumination on rebellion against religion, revenge, and self-realization through occult technology, with a distinct nod to Lovecraftian lore and the impending doom of the Outer Gods.
Since releasing their debut EP Purity in October 2023, Lenax has garnered praise from both domestic and international press, with Rock Hard and Metalized featuring the band and The Metalverse lauding their ability to blend melody with black metal’s raw power. Never losing an ounce of momentum, the band’s noses remain firmly on the grindstone as they prepare for a busy year ahead, with the forthcoming release of Infection.
