Album Review: Soft Inductee by Infect This Pink Server!
Alright, let’s talk about Soft Inductee, the 2019 release from Thailand’s own Infect This Pink Server!. It’s a Harsh Noise Wall (HNW) album, so yeah, if you’re into walls of sound that feel like they’re eating your brain alive, this is gonna be right up your alley. Genre-wise, it’s electronic but not the kind you’d play at a chill party unless your friends are really into noise chaos. This one’s self-released under their own label, which honestly feels kinda punk rock in its own way.
Now, I’m not gonna lie—this album hits hard. The two tracks that stuck with me are “Softies” and “Soft..”. Yeah, those titles are as minimalist as it gets, but don’t let that fool you. These aren’t just random noise blasts; there’s something oddly deliberate about them.
“Softies” kicks things off with what sounds like an industrial blender trying to shred ghosts. But here’s the thing—it’s got this weird rhythm to it, like static that’s been tamed just enough to hypnotize you. At some points, it almost feels… melodic? Like, if you squint your ears real hard, you can hear layers beneath all the chaos. Maybe it’s just my brain trying to make sense of the madness, but damn, it works. It’s the kind of track that makes you wanna stare out a rainy window while pretending you’re in some artsy black-and-white movie.
Then there’s “Soft..”, which feels like the angrier cousin of “Softies.” This one doesn’t mess around—it’s abrasive, loud, and unapologetic. There’s no build-up or easing into it; it just slaps you in the face with distortion and keeps going. What makes it memorable for me is how relentless it feels. It’s like standing in front of a speaker stack at a show where the band forgot to write actual songs, but somehow, it still rules. You can’t help but respect the audacity of it.
Honestly, listening to Soft Inductee feels like getting lost in someone else’s fever dream. It’s messy, intense, and probably not for everyone, but isn’t that the point of HNW? If you’re looking for background music to study or relax, this ain’t it. But if you want something that challenges your eardrums and makes you question what music even is, give this a shot.
Oh, and fun fact—I listened to this album while cooking dinner once, and suddenly chopping onions felt like a life-or-death situation. That’s gotta count for something, right?
