Origin: Russia
Formed: 2010
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal / Ambient
Status: Active
Label: Independent
Themes: Not officially listed
Infernus Presence is an atmospheric black metal and dark ambient project founded in 2010 by Dmitry Shumilin, originally based in Chelyabinsk before relocating to Saint Petersburg. From its earliest recordings, the project has embraced a solitary, introspective approach, weaving cold black metal textures with immersive ambient layers. Infernus Presence belongs to the lineage of Russian atmospheric black metal that favors emotional subtlety, hypnotic repetition, and a strong sense of solitude over aggression or traditional song structures.
The debut demo Chanting of the Forest Winds (2011) introduced the project’s core aesthetic: raw, distant guitars, whispered or buried vocals, and a strong emphasis on natural ambience. This early material established the project’s connection to themes of isolation, winter landscapes, and psychological dissolution. The 2013 split Dementia Praecox expanded its presence in the underground, pairing Infernus Presence with other experimental acts and highlighting its ability to merge depressive atmospheres with meditative ambient passages.
The 2014 EP Iscariot marked a shift toward more structured compositions, incorporating clearer melodic lines and a more defined emotional arc. In 2015, the compilation Bury Yourself to Obscure the Sun gathered early material, preserving the project’s formative years and making them more accessible to listeners. Subsequent singles such as Ice‑Cold Souls (2017) and From Ashes to Nothing (2019) demonstrated a gradual refinement of production and a growing emphasis on melancholic melody.
The first full‑length album, Natural Unconcern (2019), stands as the project’s most substantial work. It blends shimmering atmospheric black metal with drifting ambient interludes, creating a sense of emotional detachment and existential quietude. The album was noted in underground circles for its introspective tone and its ability to evoke a feeling of fading memories and dissolving identity.
From 2021 onward, Infernus Presence entered a new creative phase marked by a series of singles—Douce Dame Jolie, Demon You / Lily Anne, To Hell With It All, A Ghoul, Sinking Ships, and Vertigo—each exploring different emotional and stylistic nuances. These releases show a project in constant evolution, incorporating cleaner vocals, broader influences, and a more expressive melodic sensibility. The addition of vocalists (first Alisa Polyarnaya, later Olga Davydova) and a live lineup in 2025 indicates a shift from a purely studio‑based solo project toward a more collaborative and performance‑oriented entity.
Despite its understated presence, Infernus Presence has built a distinct identity within the Russian atmospheric black metal scene—one defined by emotional restraint, ambient depth, and a persistent sense of drifting through cold, forgotten spaces.
Dmitry Shumilin – all instruments, composition (2010–present)
Olga Davydova – vocals (2024–present)
Alisa Polyarnaya – vocals (2019–2023)
Live lineup (current)
Mikhail Antipov – bass (2025–present)
Alexandr Bochkov – drums (2025–present)
Dmitriy Babushkin – rhythm guitars (2025–present)
Live lineup (past)
Nikita Smorygin – guitars (2025)
Nikita Romanovskiy – lead guitars (2025)
Demos
Chanting of the Forest Winds (2011)
Splits
Dementia Praecox (2013)
EPs
Iscariot (2014)
Compilations
Bury Yourself to Obscure the Sun (2015)
Full‑lengths
Natural Unconcern (2019)
Singles
Ice‑Cold Souls (2017)
From Ashes to Nothing (2019)
Douce Dame Jolie (2021)
Demon You / Lily Anne (2023)
To Hell With It All (2024)
A Ghoul (2025)
Sinking Ships (2025)
Vertigo (2025)