bocpages | Boards of Canada wiki - User contributions [en]

Inferno

2026-05-29T17:59:04Z

2A02:200:2E01:C470:FDF2:3C05:A87D:C705:

{{Infobox Release|
| name=Inferno
| cover=Inferno cover.jpg
| release_date=29 May 2026
| format=Gatefold 2xLP Deluxe 2xLP + Flexi Disc CD Cassette Digital Merch Bundles
| label=Warp Records
| catno=WARP496
| runtime=69:51 70:00 (Continuous Mix)
}}

'''''Inferno''''' is the fifth studio album by [[Boards of Canada]], scheduled for release on 29 May 2026 via [[Warp Records]]. It is the long-anticipated follow-up to their 2013 album ''[[Tomorrow's Harvest]]'' - a gap of nearly thirteen years preceded its release, the band's longest to date between albums.

__TOC__

{{WIP}}
== Tracks ==
All tracks are written and produced by [[Mike Sandison]].<ref>https://www.discogs.com/release/37423158-Boards-Of-Canada-Inferno</ref>

# "[[Introit]]" – 0:36
# "[[Prophecy At 1420 MHz]]" – 5:04
# "[[Hydrogen Helium Lithium Leviathan]]" – 4:44
# "[[Age Of Capricorn]]" – 3:52
# "[[Father And Son]]" – 3:24
# "[[Somewhere Right Now In The Future]]" – 2:26
# "[[Naraka]]" – 5:01
# "[[Acts Of Magic]]" – 1:18
# "[[Memory Death]]" – 2:37
# "[[The Word Becomes Flesh]]" – 5:20
# "[[Into The Magic Land]]" – 4:35
# "[[Blood In The Labyrinth]]" – 4:55
# "[[Deep Time]]" – 3:18
# "[[All Reason Departs]]" – 6:14
# "[[Arena Americanada]]" – 5:22
# "[[The Process]]" – 3:01
# "[[You Retreat In Time And Space]]" – 5:25
# "[[I Saw Through Platonia]]" – 2:39
Bonus flexi disc (Red 2LP vinyl edition only):
# "[[Vol.4 - P. Primers - 177 Giraud's Mirror]]" – 3:24 ''

== Leadup ==

''Main article: [[Road to Inferno]]''

Speculation for the album's release preceded its official announcement by over a decade, with the band and its associates sparsely giving out new information. Activity notably increased in 2025, including the band's Instagram account [[Road_to_Inferno#Instagram_Likes|liking comments related to a new album]], a [[Tomorrow's Harvest]]-era [[Cosecha-transmisiones.com|website]] [[Road_to_Inferno#Cosecha_Transmisiones|coming online once again]], and [[Road_to_Inferno#New_Merchandise|new merchandise being put on sale]]. For a more detailed look on the band's activities during this period, see the article [[Road to Inferno]].

== Promotional Campaign ==
''Main article: [[2026 Promo Campaign]]''

In early April 2026, multiple fans received unmarked VHS tapes through the mail, with sender addresses related to [[Warp Records|Warp]] and their online storefront [[Bleep.com|Bleep]]. About a week after, posters with imagery reminiscent of the band started appearing in multiple places around the UK and US. For an in-depth look at the days preceding the album's announcement, see the article [[2026 Promo Campaign]].

== Title and Themes ==

As a word, ''Inferno'' references hell and places reminiscent of it. It is the most explicit reference to religion and the occult since their 2002 album ''[[Geogaddi]]'' and 2000 EP ''[[In a Beautiful Place out in the Country (release)|In a Beautiful Place out in the Country]]''. The album's titles also heavily refer to concepts in cosmology and physics.

* An "[[Introit]]" is a song or psalm that is sung or recited at the beginning of a Christian mass.
* "[[Father And Son]]" could reference the Holy Trinity, which consists of the two and The Holy Spirit.
* "[[The Word Becomes Flesh]]" is a quotation from [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%201:14&version=NIV verse 1:14] of the Gospel of John.
* "[[Naraka]]" references the realm of hell seen in Indian religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism.
* "[[The Process]]" could refer to the Process Church of the Final Judgement, a new religious movement which briefly existed in the 1960s and 70s. ''The Process'' was the title of their magazine.
* "[[Prophecy At 1420 MHz]]" references the hydrogen line, a specific wavelength of radiation emitted by hydrogen as it undergoes a quantum transition. It has been used to investigate the properties of the universe, and search for extraterrestrial life.
* "[[Hydrogen Helium Lithium Leviathan]]" refers to the first three elements of the periodic table and the mythical sea creature.
* "[[Age Of Capricorn]]" refers to the tenth sign of the astrological zodiac, and is the astrological age that follows the Age of Aquarius.
* "[[I Saw Through Platonia]]" could refer to a concept by Julian Barbour of a realm called Platonia, which contains every possible configuration of the universe.

== Trivia ==

* ''[[Inferno]]'' has been assigned the catalog number [https://warp.net/releases/590960-inferno/tracklist WARP496]. This seems to be a deliberate request from the band themselves, as preceding [[Warp]] releases such as Squarepusher's [https://warp.net/releases/576448-kammerkonzert/ Kammerkonzert] and Oneohtrix Point Never's [https://warp.net/releases/552598-tranquilizer/ Tranquilizer] have catalog numbers of 417 and 411, respectively.
** 496 is a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfect_number perfect number] and a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexagonal_number hexagonal number].
** 496 also holds significance in gematria (Jewish numerology). Representing Kingdom (Malkhut / מלכות). It should be further noted that 496 is the 31st Triangle number, which holds further significance as 31 is the gematria of the word God (El / אֵל).
* The Continuous Mix version runs for exactly 70 minutes. This seems to be deliberate, as 70 has carried meaning to the band in the past. For example:
** [[Music70]] is the name of [[Mike Sandison|Mike]] and [[Marcus Eoin|Marcus]]'s own label.
** [[Sixtyten]] from [[Music Has the Right to Children|MHTRTC]] reads out as 70.
** [[The Smallest Weird Number]] from [[Geogaddi]] directly refers to 70, which is the smallest [[wikipedia:Weird number|weird number]]. Even though the track runs for 1:17, it cuts out at exactly 1:10, which is 70 seconds.

== Release Notes ==
All personnel credits adapted from ''[[Inferno]]'s liner notes.<ref>https://www.discogs.com/release/37423158-Boards-Of-Canada-Inferno</ref>

* [[Mike Sandison]] – electronics, synths, tapes, programming, audio evocations, drums, percussion, guitars, bass, string instruments, processes, sound design
* [[Marcus Eoin]] – electronics, synths, tapes, processes, sound design
* [[Boards of Canada]] – recording, artwork, films, photo collage, design
* [https://www.thisismetropolis.com/engineers/matt-colton/ Matt Colton]  – mastering engineer

== See Also ==
* [[Road to Inferno]]
* [[2026 Promo Campaign]]
* [[Inferno listening parties]]
* [[Discography]]
* [[Timeline]]
* [[Statements from Hexagon Sun]]

== External Links ==
=== Forums ===
* [https://forum.keyosc.com/topic/1980-inferno-may-29-2026/ Keyosc discussion: "Inferno" May 29 2026]
* [https://www.twoism.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15631 Twoism discussion: General New Release Speculation Topic Part II]
* [https://www.twoism.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16008 Twoism discussion: LP5 - Inferno]
* [https://www.twoism.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16027 Twoism discussion: Inferno Sessions]
* [https://www.twoism.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16126 Twoism discussion: Interno Reviews]

=== Press ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! publication !! article
|-
| Asatunews || [https://www.asatunews.co.id/en/boards-canada-announces-new-album Boards of Canada Announces New Album Inferno for May Release]
|-
| Billboard || [https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/boards-of-canada-new-album-inferno-1236229593/ Boards of Canada set new album 'inferno']
|-
| Clash Magazine || [https://www.clashmusic.com/news/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-inferno/ Boards Of Canada Announce New Album ‘Inferno’]
|-
| Consequence Sound || [https://consequence.net/2026/04/boards-of-canada-inferno-new-album/ Boards of Canada Announce New Album Inferno]
|-
| DJ Mag || [https://djmag.com/news/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-inferno Boards Of Canada announce new album, ‘Inferno’]
|-
| Igloo Magazine || [https://igloomag.com/newswire/boards-of-canada-announce-inferno-warp Boards of Canada announce Inferno (Warp) — May 29, 2026]
|-
| NME || [https://www.nme.com/news/music/boards-of-canada-announce-inferno-their-first-album-in-13-years-3941899 Boards Of Canada announce ‘Inferno’ – their first album in 13 years]
|-
| Opus || [https://opus.ing/p/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-titled-inferno Boards of Canada Announce New Album Titled Inferno]
|-
| Pitchfork || [https://pitchfork.com/news/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-inferno/ Boards of Canada Reveal New Album Inferno]
|-
| Resident Advisor || [https://nl.ra.co/news/85026 Boards of Canada confirm new album, Inferno]
|-
| Rockshit Magazine || [https://rockshotmagazine.com/boards-of-canada-announce-long-awaited-new-album-inferno/ Boards Of Canada Announce Long-Awaited New Album ‘Inferno’]
|-
| Stereogum || [https://stereogum.com/2496646/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-inferno/news Boards Of Canada Announce New Album Inferno]
|-
| The Line of Best Fit || [https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/boards-of-canada-reveal-details-of-inferno-first-new-album-in-13-years Boards of Canada reveal details of Inferno, first new album in 13 years]
|-
| The Quietus || [https://thequietus.com/news/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-inferno/ Boards Of Canada Detail New Album, ‘Inferno’]
|-
| We Rave You || [https://weraveyou.com/2026/04/boards-of-canada-inferno-album-2026/ Boards of Canada announce new album ‘Inferno’ after 13-year break]
|}

=== Reviews ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! score !! favorable !! publication !! lang !! writer !! link !! paywall !! notes
|-
| 10 || yes || The Herald || EN || Barry Didcock || [https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/26119902.indepth-review-boards-canada-inferno-five-star-return/ review] || yes || ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 10 || yes || musicOMH || EN || Steven Johnson || [https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/boards-of-canada-inferno review] || yes || ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 10 || yes || Europe Says || EN || n/a || [https://www.europesays.com/canada/57411/ review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 9 || yes || Uncut || EN || Michael Bonner || [https://bsky.app/profile/uncutmagazine.bsky.social/post/3mmbyeuto722l review] || yes || album of the month
|-
| 9 || yes || Clash || EN || Sam Walker-Smart || [https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/boards-of-canada-inferno/ review] || no ||
|-
| 9 || yes || Sound of Violence || FR || Franck Narquin || [https://www.soundofviolence.net/articles/album/6413/boards_of_canada_inferno.html review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
|-
| 9 || yes || File Under Fire || EN || Matt Young || [https://fileunderfire.com/album-reviews/is-boards-of-canadas-inferno-the-soundtrack-of-the-end-times-we-deserve/ review] || no ||
|-
| 8.6 || yes || Pitchfork || EN || Philip Sherburne || [https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/boards-of-canada-inferno/ review] || yes || best new music
|-
| 8 || yes || The Scotsman || EN || Fiona Shepherd || [https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/music/album-reviews-boards-of-canada-inferno-the-coral-radhika-autoleisureland-8636190 review] || yes || ⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 8 || yes || The Skinny || EN || Lewis Wade || [https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/reviews/albums/boards-of-canada-inferno review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 8 || yes || Mojo || EN || Andrew Male || [https://www.mojo4music.com/reviews/new-music/boards-of-canada-inferno-review-enigmatic-duo-turn-their-focus-to-the-present/ review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 8 || yes || Exclaim || EN || Daryl Keating || [https://exclaim.ca/music/rarticle/boards-of-canada-inferno-album-review review] || no ||
|-
| 7 || yes || Far Out Magazine || EN || Tom Phelan || [https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/boards-of-canada-inferno-album-review/ review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐½
|-
| 7 || yes || Our Culture || EN || Konstantinos Pappis || [https://ourculturemag.com/2026/05/28/album-review-boards-of-canada-inferno/ review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐½
|-
| n/a || yes || The Quietus || EN || Sereptie || [https://thequietus.com/quietus-reviews/boards-of-canada-inferno/ review] || ||
|-
| n/a || yes || DJ Mag || EN || Ben Cardew || [https://djmag.com/reviews/boards-of-canada-inferno review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || The Wall Street Journal || EN || Mark Richardson || [https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/music/inferno-by-boards-of-canada-review-bleak-and-beautiful-167e6e07 review] || yes ||
|-
| n/a || yes || Resident Advisor || EN || Sasha Geffen || [https://de.ra.co/reviews/36354 review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || Attack Magazine || EN || Adam Douglas || [https://www.attackmagazine.com/features/columns/what-happened-at-boards-of-canadas-inferno-tokyo-listening-session/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || Juno Daily || EN || Charlie Wright || [https://www.juno.co.uk/junodaily/2026/05/23/boards-of-canadas-inferno-album-first-listen-review/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || OOR || NL || Koen Poolman || [https://oor.nl/albums/inferno/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || taz.on weekend || DE || Julian Weber || [https://taz.de/!6177981/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || The Pop Corporation || EN || ? || [https://thepopcorps.co.uk/2026/05/25/review-boards-of-canada-inferno/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || Sustratro || ES || Miguel Pardo || [https://www.sustrato.io/textos/mantras-para-un-mundo-en-llamas-reflexiones-en-torno-a-inferno-de-boards-of-canada review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || Dagens Nyheter || SE || Mattias Dahlström || [https://www.dn.se/kultur/boards-of-canadas-comeback-var-vard-all-vantan/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || igloo magazine || EN || Olivier Egli || [https://igloomag.com/features/boards-of-canada-inferno-we-need-to-believe/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || ? || Loud And Quiet || EN || Sam Walton || [https://loudandquiet.substack.com/p/boards-of-canada-inferno-album-review review] || no ||
|-
| 4 || no || Financial Times || EN || Ludovic Hunter-Tilney || [https://www.ft.com/content/af214775-519b-4c94-8db7-6b5207cc70bd?syn-25a6b1a6=1 review] || yes || ⭐⭐
|-
| 4 || no || The Guardian || EN || Ben Beaumont-Thomas || [https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/may/23/boards-of-canada-inferno-review-after-13-years-away-their-prodigal-return-is-a-big-disappointment review] || no || ⭐⭐
|-
| 4 || no || The Arts Desk || EN || Ibi Keita || [https://www.theartsdesk.com/new-music/boards-canada-channel-dante-inferno-seem-even-more-lost review] || no || ⭐⭐
|}

=== Shops ===
* [https://www.crashrecords.co.uk/products/boards-of-canada-inferno-pre-order Crash Records]
* [https://www.hhv.de/en/records/item/boards-of-canada-inferno-1392710 HHV]
* [https://www.jumborecords.co.uk/music-single.asp?product_id=WARPCD496 Jumbo Records]
* [https://www.normanrecords.com/records/215515-boards-of-canada-inferno Norman Records]
* [https://www.roughtrade.com/en-de/artist/boards-of-canada Rough Trade]
* [https://thevaultcollectiveltd.co.uk/products/boards-of-canada-inferno The Vault Collective ltd]

=== Various ===
* [https://warp.net/artists/boards-of-canada Boards of Canada on Warp Records]
* [https://bleep.com/boards-of-canada Boards of Canada on Bleep]

== References ==
<references />

== Artwork ==
The listing below is generated dynamically, based on: [[:Category: Inferno artwork]].

<DynamicPageList>
category = Inferno artwork
namespace=file
ordermethod = created
imagewidth=104
galleryshowfilesize=yes
galleryshowfilename=yes
imagesperrow=6
mode=gallery
</DynamicPageList>

{{Nav-Releases}}

[[Category: Inferno]]

Inferno

2026-05-29T17:55:43Z

2A02:200:2E01:C470:FDF2:3C05:A87D:C705:

{{Infobox Release|
| name=Inferno
| cover=Inferno cover.jpg
| release_date=29 May 2026
| format=Gatefold 2xLP Deluxe 2xLP CD Cassette Digital Merch Bundles
| label=Warp Records
| catno=WARP496
| runtime=69:51 70:00 (Continuous Mix)
}}

'''''Inferno''''' is the fifth studio album by [[Boards of Canada]], scheduled for release on 29 May 2026 via [[Warp Records]]. It is the long-anticipated follow-up to their 2013 album ''[[Tomorrow's Harvest]]'' - a gap of nearly thirteen years preceded its release, the band's longest to date between albums.

__TOC__

{{WIP}}
== Tracks ==
All tracks are written and produced by [[Mike Sandison]].<ref>https://www.discogs.com/release/37423158-Boards-Of-Canada-Inferno</ref>

# "[[Introit]]" – 0:36
# "[[Prophecy At 1420 MHz]]" – 5:04
# "[[Hydrogen Helium Lithium Leviathan]]" – 4:44
# "[[Age Of Capricorn]]" – 3:52
# "[[Father And Son]]" – 3:24
# "[[Somewhere Right Now In The Future]]" – 2:26
# "[[Naraka]]" – 5:01
# "[[Acts Of Magic]]" – 1:18
# "[[Memory Death]]" – 2:37
# "[[The Word Becomes Flesh]]" – 5:20
# "[[Into The Magic Land]]" – 4:35
# "[[Blood In The Labyrinth]]" – 4:55
# "[[Deep Time]]" – 3:18
# "[[All Reason Departs]]" – 6:14
# "[[Arena Americanada]]" – 5:22
# "[[The Process]]" – 3:01
# "[[You Retreat In Time And Space]]" – 5:25
# "[[I Saw Through Platonia]]" – 2:39
Bonus flexi disc (Red 2LP vinyl edition only):
# "[[Vol.4 - P. Primers - 177 Giraud's Mirror]]" – 3:24 ''

== Leadup ==

''Main article: [[Road to Inferno]]''

Speculation for the album's release preceded its official announcement by over a decade, with the band and its associates sparsely giving out new information. Activity notably increased in 2025, including the band's Instagram account [[Road_to_Inferno#Instagram_Likes|liking comments related to a new album]], a [[Tomorrow's Harvest]]-era [[Cosecha-transmisiones.com|website]] [[Road_to_Inferno#Cosecha_Transmisiones|coming online once again]], and [[Road_to_Inferno#New_Merchandise|new merchandise being put on sale]]. For a more detailed look on the band's activities during this period, see the article [[Road to Inferno]].

== Promotional Campaign ==
''Main article: [[2026 Promo Campaign]]''

In early April 2026, multiple fans received unmarked VHS tapes through the mail, with sender addresses related to [[Warp Records|Warp]] and their online storefront [[Bleep.com|Bleep]]. About a week after, posters with imagery reminiscent of the band started appearing in multiple places around the UK and US. For an in-depth look at the days preceding the album's announcement, see the article [[2026 Promo Campaign]].

== Title and Themes ==

As a word, ''Inferno'' references hell and places reminiscent of it. It is the most explicit reference to religion and the occult since their 2002 album ''[[Geogaddi]]'' and 2000 EP ''[[In a Beautiful Place out in the Country (release)|In a Beautiful Place out in the Country]]''. The album's titles also heavily refer to concepts in cosmology and physics.

* An "[[Introit]]" is a song or psalm that is sung or recited at the beginning of a Christian mass.
* "[[Father And Son]]" could reference the Holy Trinity, which consists of the two and The Holy Spirit.
* "[[The Word Becomes Flesh]]" is a quotation from [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%201:14&version=NIV verse 1:14] of the Gospel of John.
* "[[Naraka]]" references the realm of hell seen in Indian religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism.
* "[[The Process]]" could refer to the Process Church of the Final Judgement, a new religious movement which briefly existed in the 1960s and 70s. ''The Process'' was the title of their magazine.
* "[[Prophecy At 1420 MHz]]" references the hydrogen line, a specific wavelength of radiation emitted by hydrogen as it undergoes a quantum transition. It has been used to investigate the properties of the universe, and search for extraterrestrial life.
* "[[Hydrogen Helium Lithium Leviathan]]" refers to the first three elements of the periodic table and the mythical sea creature.
* "[[Age Of Capricorn]]" refers to the tenth sign of the astrological zodiac, and is the astrological age that follows the Age of Aquarius.
* "[[I Saw Through Platonia]]" could refer to a concept by Julian Barbour of a realm called Platonia, which contains every possible configuration of the universe.

== Trivia ==

* ''[[Inferno]]'' has been assigned the catalog number [https://warp.net/releases/590960-inferno/tracklist WARP496]. This seems to be a deliberate request from the band themselves, as preceding [[Warp]] releases such as Squarepusher's [https://warp.net/releases/576448-kammerkonzert/ Kammerkonzert] and Oneohtrix Point Never's [https://warp.net/releases/552598-tranquilizer/ Tranquilizer] have catalog numbers of 417 and 411, respectively.
** 496 is a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfect_number perfect number] and a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexagonal_number hexagonal number].
** 496 also holds significance in gematria (Jewish numerology). Representing Kingdom (Malkhut / מלכות). It should be further noted that 496 is the 31st Triangle number, which holds further significance as 31 is the gematria of the word God (El / אֵל).
* The Continuous Mix version runs for exactly 70 minutes. This seems to be deliberate, as 70 has carried meaning to the band in the past. For example:
** [[Music70]] is the name of [[Mike Sandison|Mike]] and [[Marcus Eoin|Marcus]]'s own label.
** [[Sixtyten]] from [[Music Has the Right to Children|MHTRTC]] reads out as 70.
** [[The Smallest Weird Number]] from [[Geogaddi]] directly refers to 70, which is the smallest [[wikipedia:Weird number|weird number]]. Even though the track runs for 1:17, it cuts out at exactly 1:10, which is 70 seconds.

== Release Notes ==
All personnel credits adapted from ''[[Inferno]]'s liner notes.<ref>https://www.discogs.com/release/37423158-Boards-Of-Canada-Inferno</ref>

* [[Mike Sandison]] – electronics, synths, tapes, programming, audio evocations, drums, percussion, guitars, bass, string instruments, processes, sound design
* [[Marcus Eoin]] – electronics, synths, tapes, processes, sound design
* [[Boards of Canada]] – recording, artwork, films, photo collage, design
* [https://www.thisismetropolis.com/engineers/matt-colton/ Matt Colton]  – mastering engineer

== See Also ==
* [[Road to Inferno]]
* [[2026 Promo Campaign]]
* [[Inferno listening parties]]
* [[Discography]]
* [[Timeline]]
* [[Statements from Hexagon Sun]]

== External Links ==
=== Forums ===
* [https://forum.keyosc.com/topic/1980-inferno-may-29-2026/ Keyosc discussion: "Inferno" May 29 2026]
* [https://www.twoism.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15631 Twoism discussion: General New Release Speculation Topic Part II]
* [https://www.twoism.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16008 Twoism discussion: LP5 - Inferno]
* [https://www.twoism.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16027 Twoism discussion: Inferno Sessions]
* [https://www.twoism.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16126 Twoism discussion: Interno Reviews]

=== Press ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! publication !! article
|-
| Asatunews || [https://www.asatunews.co.id/en/boards-canada-announces-new-album Boards of Canada Announces New Album Inferno for May Release]
|-
| Billboard || [https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/boards-of-canada-new-album-inferno-1236229593/ Boards of Canada set new album 'inferno']
|-
| Clash Magazine || [https://www.clashmusic.com/news/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-inferno/ Boards Of Canada Announce New Album ‘Inferno’]
|-
| Consequence Sound || [https://consequence.net/2026/04/boards-of-canada-inferno-new-album/ Boards of Canada Announce New Album Inferno]
|-
| DJ Mag || [https://djmag.com/news/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-inferno Boards Of Canada announce new album, ‘Inferno’]
|-
| Igloo Magazine || [https://igloomag.com/newswire/boards-of-canada-announce-inferno-warp Boards of Canada announce Inferno (Warp) — May 29, 2026]
|-
| NME || [https://www.nme.com/news/music/boards-of-canada-announce-inferno-their-first-album-in-13-years-3941899 Boards Of Canada announce ‘Inferno’ – their first album in 13 years]
|-
| Opus || [https://opus.ing/p/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-titled-inferno Boards of Canada Announce New Album Titled Inferno]
|-
| Pitchfork || [https://pitchfork.com/news/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-inferno/ Boards of Canada Reveal New Album Inferno]
|-
| Resident Advisor || [https://nl.ra.co/news/85026 Boards of Canada confirm new album, Inferno]
|-
| Rockshit Magazine || [https://rockshotmagazine.com/boards-of-canada-announce-long-awaited-new-album-inferno/ Boards Of Canada Announce Long-Awaited New Album ‘Inferno’]
|-
| Stereogum || [https://stereogum.com/2496646/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-inferno/news Boards Of Canada Announce New Album Inferno]
|-
| The Line of Best Fit || [https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/boards-of-canada-reveal-details-of-inferno-first-new-album-in-13-years Boards of Canada reveal details of Inferno, first new album in 13 years]
|-
| The Quietus || [https://thequietus.com/news/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-inferno/ Boards Of Canada Detail New Album, ‘Inferno’]
|-
| We Rave You || [https://weraveyou.com/2026/04/boards-of-canada-inferno-album-2026/ Boards of Canada announce new album ‘Inferno’ after 13-year break]
|}

=== Reviews ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! score !! favorable !! publication !! lang !! writer !! link !! paywall !! notes
|-
| 10 || yes || The Herald || EN || Barry Didcock || [https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/26119902.indepth-review-boards-canada-inferno-five-star-return/ review] || yes || ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 10 || yes || musicOMH || EN || Steven Johnson || [https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/boards-of-canada-inferno review] || yes || ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 10 || yes || Europe Says || EN || n/a || [https://www.europesays.com/canada/57411/ review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 9 || yes || Uncut || EN || Michael Bonner || [https://bsky.app/profile/uncutmagazine.bsky.social/post/3mmbyeuto722l review] || yes || album of the month
|-
| 9 || yes || Clash || EN || Sam Walker-Smart || [https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/boards-of-canada-inferno/ review] || no ||
|-
| 9 || yes || Sound of Violence || FR || Franck Narquin || [https://www.soundofviolence.net/articles/album/6413/boards_of_canada_inferno.html review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
|-
| 9 || yes || File Under Fire || EN || Matt Young || [https://fileunderfire.com/album-reviews/is-boards-of-canadas-inferno-the-soundtrack-of-the-end-times-we-deserve/ review] || no ||
|-
| 8.6 || yes || Pitchfork || EN || Philip Sherburne || [https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/boards-of-canada-inferno/ review] || yes || best new music
|-
| 8 || yes || The Scotsman || EN || Fiona Shepherd || [https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/music/album-reviews-boards-of-canada-inferno-the-coral-radhika-autoleisureland-8636190 review] || yes || ⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 8 || yes || The Skinny || EN || Lewis Wade || [https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/reviews/albums/boards-of-canada-inferno review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 8 || yes || Mojo || EN || Andrew Male || [https://www.mojo4music.com/reviews/new-music/boards-of-canada-inferno-review-enigmatic-duo-turn-their-focus-to-the-present/ review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 8 || yes || Exclaim || EN || Daryl Keating || [https://exclaim.ca/music/rarticle/boards-of-canada-inferno-album-review review] || no ||
|-
| 7 || yes || Far Out Magazine || EN || Tom Phelan || [https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/boards-of-canada-inferno-album-review/ review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐½
|-
| 7 || yes || Our Culture || EN || Konstantinos Pappis || [https://ourculturemag.com/2026/05/28/album-review-boards-of-canada-inferno/ review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐½
|-
| n/a || yes || The Quietus || EN || Sereptie || [https://thequietus.com/quietus-reviews/boards-of-canada-inferno/ review] || ||
|-
| n/a || yes || DJ Mag || EN || Ben Cardew || [https://djmag.com/reviews/boards-of-canada-inferno review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || The Wall Street Journal || EN || Mark Richardson || [https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/music/inferno-by-boards-of-canada-review-bleak-and-beautiful-167e6e07 review] || yes ||
|-
| n/a || yes || Resident Advisor || EN || Sasha Geffen || [https://de.ra.co/reviews/36354 review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || Attack Magazine || EN || Adam Douglas || [https://www.attackmagazine.com/features/columns/what-happened-at-boards-of-canadas-inferno-tokyo-listening-session/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || Juno Daily || EN || Charlie Wright || [https://www.juno.co.uk/junodaily/2026/05/23/boards-of-canadas-inferno-album-first-listen-review/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || OOR || NL || Koen Poolman || [https://oor.nl/albums/inferno/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || taz.on weekend || DE || Julian Weber || [https://taz.de/!6177981/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || The Pop Corporation || EN || ? || [https://thepopcorps.co.uk/2026/05/25/review-boards-of-canada-inferno/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || Sustratro || ES || Miguel Pardo || [https://www.sustrato.io/textos/mantras-para-un-mundo-en-llamas-reflexiones-en-torno-a-inferno-de-boards-of-canada review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || Dagens Nyheter || SE || Mattias Dahlström || [https://www.dn.se/kultur/boards-of-canadas-comeback-var-vard-all-vantan/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || igloo magazine || EN || Olivier Egli || [https://igloomag.com/features/boards-of-canada-inferno-we-need-to-believe/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || ? || Loud And Quiet || EN || Sam Walton || [https://loudandquiet.substack.com/p/boards-of-canada-inferno-album-review review] || no ||
|-
| 4 || no || Financial Times || EN || Ludovic Hunter-Tilney || [https://www.ft.com/content/af214775-519b-4c94-8db7-6b5207cc70bd?syn-25a6b1a6=1 review] || yes || ⭐⭐
|-
| 4 || no || The Guardian || EN || Ben Beaumont-Thomas || [https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/may/23/boards-of-canada-inferno-review-after-13-years-away-their-prodigal-return-is-a-big-disappointment review] || no || ⭐⭐
|-
| 4 || no || The Arts Desk || EN || Ibi Keita || [https://www.theartsdesk.com/new-music/boards-canada-channel-dante-inferno-seem-even-more-lost review] || no || ⭐⭐
|}

=== Shops ===
* [https://www.crashrecords.co.uk/products/boards-of-canada-inferno-pre-order Crash Records]
* [https://www.hhv.de/en/records/item/boards-of-canada-inferno-1392710 HHV]
* [https://www.jumborecords.co.uk/music-single.asp?product_id=WARPCD496 Jumbo Records]
* [https://www.normanrecords.com/records/215515-boards-of-canada-inferno Norman Records]
* [https://www.roughtrade.com/en-de/artist/boards-of-canada Rough Trade]
* [https://thevaultcollectiveltd.co.uk/products/boards-of-canada-inferno The Vault Collective ltd]

=== Various ===
* [https://warp.net/artists/boards-of-canada Boards of Canada on Warp Records]
* [https://bleep.com/boards-of-canada Boards of Canada on Bleep]

== References ==
<references />

== Artwork ==
The listing below is generated dynamically, based on: [[:Category: Inferno artwork]].

<DynamicPageList>
category = Inferno artwork
namespace=file
ordermethod = created
imagewidth=104
galleryshowfilesize=yes
galleryshowfilename=yes
imagesperrow=6
mode=gallery
</DynamicPageList>

{{Nav-Releases}}

[[Category: Inferno]]

Inferno

2026-05-29T17:53:08Z

2A02:200:2E01:C470:FDF2:3C05:A87D:C705: Added igloo mag review

{{Infobox Release|
| name=Inferno
| cover=Inferno cover.jpg
| release_date=29 May 2026
| format=Gatefold 2xLP Deluxe 2xLP CD Cassette Digital Merch Bundles
| label=Warp Records
| catno=WARP496
| runtime=69:51 70:00 (Continuous Mix)
}}

'''''Inferno''''' is the fifth studio album by [[Boards of Canada]], scheduled for release on 29 May 2026 via [[Warp Records]]. It is the long-anticipated follow-up to their 2013 album ''[[Tomorrow's Harvest]]'' - a gap of nearly thirteen years preceded its release, the band's longest to date between albums.

__TOC__

{{WIP}}
== Tracks ==
All tracks are written and produced by [[Mike Sandison]].<ref>https://www.discogs.com/release/37423158-Boards-Of-Canada-Inferno</ref>

# "[[Introit]]" – 0:36
# "[[Prophecy At 1420 MHz]]" – 5:04
# "[[Hydrogen Helium Lithium Leviathan]]" – 4:44
# "[[Age Of Capricorn]]" – 3:52
# "[[Father And Son]]" – 3:24
# "[[Somewhere Right Now In The Future]]" – 2:26
# "[[Naraka]]" – 5:01
# "[[Acts Of Magic]]" – 1:18
# "[[Memory Death]]" – 2:37
# "[[The Word Becomes Flesh]]" – 5:20
# "[[Into The Magic Land]]" – 4:35
# "[[Blood In The Labyrinth]]" – 4:55
# "[[Deep Time]]" – 3:18
# "[[All Reason Departs]]" – 6:14
# "[[Arena Americanada]]" – 5:22
# "[[The Process]]" – 3:01
# "[[You Retreat In Time And Space]]" – 5:25
# "[[I Saw Through Platonia]]" – 2:39
Bonus flexi disc (Red 2LP vinyl edition only):
# "[[Vol.4 - P. Primers - 177 Giraud's Mirror]]" – 3:24 ''

== Leadup ==

''Main article: [[Road to Inferno]]''

Speculation for the album's release preceded its official announcement by over a decade, with the band and its associates sparsely giving out new information. Activity notably increased in 2025, including the band's Instagram account [[Road_to_Inferno#Instagram_Likes|liking comments related to a new album]], a [[Tomorrow's Harvest]]-era [[Cosecha-transmisiones.com|website]] [[Road_to_Inferno#Cosecha_Transmisiones|coming online once again]], and [[Road_to_Inferno#New_Merchandise|new merchandise being put on sale]]. For a more detailed look on the band's activities during this period, see the article [[Road to Inferno]].

== Promotional Campaign ==
''Main article: [[2026 Promo Campaign]]''

In early April 2026, multiple fans received unmarked VHS tapes through the mail, with sender addresses related to [[Warp Records|Warp]] and their online storefront [[Bleep.com|Bleep]]. About a week after, posters with imagery reminiscent of the band started appearing in multiple places around the UK and US. For an in-depth look at the days preceding the album's announcement, see the article [[2026 Promo Campaign]].

== Title and Themes ==

As a word, ''Inferno'' references hell and places reminiscent of it. It is the most explicit reference to religion and the occult since their 2002 album ''[[Geogaddi]]'' and 2000 EP ''[[In a Beautiful Place out in the Country (release)|In a Beautiful Place out in the Country]]''. The album's titles also heavily refer to concepts in cosmology and physics.

* An "[[Introit]]" is a song or psalm that is sung or recited at the beginning of a Christian mass.
* "[[Father And Son]]" could reference the Holy Trinity, which consists of the two and The Holy Spirit.
* "[[The Word Becomes Flesh]]" is a quotation from [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%201:14&version=NIV verse 1:14] of the Gospel of John.
* "[[Naraka]]" references the realm of hell seen in Indian religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism.
* "[[The Process]]" could refer to the Process Church of the Final Judgement, a new religious movement which briefly existed in the 1960s and 70s. ''The Process'' was the title of their magazine.
* "[[Prophecy At 1420 MHz]]" references the hydrogen line, a specific wavelength of radiation emitted by hydrogen as it undergoes a quantum transition. It has been used to investigate the properties of the universe, and search for extraterrestrial life.
* "[[Hydrogen Helium Lithium Leviathan]]" refers to the first three elements of the periodic table and the mythical sea creature.
* "[[Age Of Capricorn]]" refers to the tenth sign of the astrological zodiac, and is the astrological age that follows the Age of Aquarius.
* "[[I Saw Through Platonia]]" could refer to a concept by Julian Barbour of a realm called Platonia, which contains every possible configuration of the universe.

== Trivia ==

* ''[[Inferno]]'' has been assigned the catalog number [https://warp.net/releases/590960-inferno/tracklist WARP496]. This seems to be a deliberate request from the band themselves, as preceding [[Warp]] releases such as Squarepusher's [https://warp.net/releases/576448-kammerkonzert/ Kammerkonzert] and Oneohtrix Point Never's [https://warp.net/releases/552598-tranquilizer/ Tranquilizer] have catalog numbers of 417 and 411, respectively.
** 496 is a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfect_number perfect number] and a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexagonal_number hexagonal number].
** 496 also holds significance in gematria (Jewish numerology). Representing Kingdom (Malkhut / מלכות). It should be further noted that 496 is the 31st Triangle number, which holds further significance as 31 is the gematria of the word God (El / אֵל).
* The Continuous Mix version runs for exactly 70 minutes. This seems to be deliberate, as 70 has carried meaning to the band in the past. For example:
** [[Music70]] is the name of [[Mike Sandison|Mike]] and [[Marcus Eoin|Marcus]]'s own label.
** [[Sixtyten]] from [[Music Has the Right to Children|MHTRTC]] reads out as 70.
** [[The Smallest Weird Number]] from [[Geogaddi]] directly refers to 70, which is the smallest [[wikipedia:Weird number|weird number]]. Even though the track runs for 1:17, it cuts out at exactly 1:10, which is 70 seconds.

== Release Notes ==
All personnel credits adapted from ''[[Inferno]]'s liner notes.<ref>https://www.discogs.com/release/37423158-Boards-Of-Canada-Inferno</ref>

* [[Mike Sandison]] – electronics, synths, tapes, programming, audio evocations, drums, percussion, guitars, bass, string instruments, processes, sound design
* [[Marcus Eoin]] – electronics, synths, tapes, processes, sound design
* [[Boards of Canada]] – recording, artwork, films, photo collage, design
* [https://www.thisismetropolis.com/engineers/matt-colton/ Matt Colton]  – mastering engineer

== See Also ==
* [[Road to Inferno]]
* [[2026 Promo Campaign]]
* [[Inferno listening parties]]
* [[Discography]]
* [[Timeline]]
* [[Statements from Hexagon Sun]]

== External Links ==
=== Forums ===
* [https://forum.keyosc.com/topic/1980-inferno-may-29-2026/ Keyosc discussion: "Inferno" May 29 2026]
* [https://www.twoism.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15631 Twoism discussion: General New Release Speculation Topic Part II]
* [https://www.twoism.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16008 Twoism discussion: LP5 - Inferno]
* [https://www.twoism.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16027 Twoism discussion: Inferno Sessions]
* [https://www.twoism.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16126 Twoism discussion: Interno Reviews]

=== Press ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! publication !! article
|-
| Asatunews || [https://www.asatunews.co.id/en/boards-canada-announces-new-album Boards of Canada Announces New Album Inferno for May Release]
|-
| Billboard || [https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/boards-of-canada-new-album-inferno-1236229593/ Boards of Canada set new album 'inferno']
|-
| Clash Magazine || [https://www.clashmusic.com/news/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-inferno/ Boards Of Canada Announce New Album ‘Inferno’]
|-
| Consequence Sound || [https://consequence.net/2026/04/boards-of-canada-inferno-new-album/ Boards of Canada Announce New Album Inferno]
|-
| DJ Mag || [https://djmag.com/news/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-inferno Boards Of Canada announce new album, ‘Inferno’]
|-
| Igloo Magazine || [https://igloomag.com/newswire/boards-of-canada-announce-inferno-warp Boards of Canada announce Inferno (Warp) — May 29, 2026]
|-
| NME || [https://www.nme.com/news/music/boards-of-canada-announce-inferno-their-first-album-in-13-years-3941899 Boards Of Canada announce ‘Inferno’ – their first album in 13 years]
|-
| Opus || [https://opus.ing/p/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-titled-inferno Boards of Canada Announce New Album Titled Inferno]
|-
| Pitchfork || [https://pitchfork.com/news/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-inferno/ Boards of Canada Reveal New Album Inferno]
|-
| Resident Advisor || [https://nl.ra.co/news/85026 Boards of Canada confirm new album, Inferno]
|-
| Rockshit Magazine || [https://rockshotmagazine.com/boards-of-canada-announce-long-awaited-new-album-inferno/ Boards Of Canada Announce Long-Awaited New Album ‘Inferno’]
|-
| Stereogum || [https://stereogum.com/2496646/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-inferno/news Boards Of Canada Announce New Album Inferno]
|-
| The Line of Best Fit || [https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/boards-of-canada-reveal-details-of-inferno-first-new-album-in-13-years Boards of Canada reveal details of Inferno, first new album in 13 years]
|-
| The Quietus || [https://thequietus.com/news/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-inferno/ Boards Of Canada Detail New Album, ‘Inferno’]
|-
| We Rave You || [https://weraveyou.com/2026/04/boards-of-canada-inferno-album-2026/ Boards of Canada announce new album ‘Inferno’ after 13-year break]
|}

=== Reviews ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! score !! favorable !! publication !! lang !! writer !! link !! paywall !! notes
|-
| 10 || yes || The Herald || EN || Barry Didcock || [https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/26119902.indepth-review-boards-canada-inferno-five-star-return/ review] || yes || ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 10 || yes || musicOMH || EN || Steven Johnson || [https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/boards-of-canada-inferno review] || yes || ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 10 || yes || Europe Says || EN || n/a || [https://www.europesays.com/canada/57411/ review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 9 || yes || Uncut || EN || Michael Bonner || [https://bsky.app/profile/uncutmagazine.bsky.social/post/3mmbyeuto722l review] || yes || album of the month
|-
| 9 || yes || Clash || EN || Sam Walker-Smart || [https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/boards-of-canada-inferno/ review] || no ||
|-
| 9 || yes || Sound of Violence || FR || Franck Narquin || [https://www.soundofviolence.net/articles/album/6413/boards_of_canada_inferno.html review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
|-
| 9 || yes || File Under Fire || EN || Matt Young || [https://fileunderfire.com/album-reviews/is-boards-of-canadas-inferno-the-soundtrack-of-the-end-times-we-deserve/ review] || no ||
|-
| 8.6 || yes || Pitchfork || EN || Philip Sherburne || [https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/boards-of-canada-inferno/ review] || yes || best new music
|-
| 8 || yes || The Scotsman || EN || Fiona Shepherd || [https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/music/album-reviews-boards-of-canada-inferno-the-coral-radhika-autoleisureland-8636190 review] || yes || ⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 8 || yes || The Skinny || EN || Lewis Wade || [https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/reviews/albums/boards-of-canada-inferno review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 8 || yes || Mojo || EN || Andrew Male || [https://www.mojo4music.com/reviews/new-music/boards-of-canada-inferno-review-enigmatic-duo-turn-their-focus-to-the-present/ review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 8 || yes || Exclaim || EN || Daryl Keating || [https://exclaim.ca/music/rarticle/boards-of-canada-inferno-album-review review] || no ||
|-
| 7 || yes || Far Out Magazine || EN || Tom Phelan || [https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/boards-of-canada-inferno-album-review/ review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐½
|-
| 7 || yes || Our Culture || EN || Konstantinos Pappis || [https://ourculturemag.com/2026/05/28/album-review-boards-of-canada-inferno/ review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐½
|-
| n/a || yes || The Quietus || EN || Sereptie || [https://thequietus.com/quietus-reviews/boards-of-canada-inferno/ review] || ||
|-
| n/a || yes || DJ Mag || EN || Ben Cardew || [https://djmag.com/reviews/boards-of-canada-inferno review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || The Wall Street Journal || EN || Mark Richardson || [https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/music/inferno-by-boards-of-canada-review-bleak-and-beautiful-167e6e07 review] || yes ||
|-
| n/a || yes || Resident Advisor || EN || Sasha Geffen || [https://de.ra.co/reviews/36354 review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || Attack Magazine || EN || Adam Douglas || [https://www.attackmagazine.com/features/columns/what-happened-at-boards-of-canadas-inferno-tokyo-listening-session/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || Juno Daily || EN || Charlie Wright || [https://www.juno.co.uk/junodaily/2026/05/23/boards-of-canadas-inferno-album-first-listen-review/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || OOR || NL || Koen Poolman || [https://oor.nl/albums/inferno/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || taz.on weekend || DE || Julian Weber || [https://taz.de/!6177981/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || The Pop Corporation || EN || ? || [https://thepopcorps.co.uk/2026/05/25/review-boards-of-canada-inferno/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || Sustratro || ES || Miguel Pardo || [https://www.sustrato.io/textos/mantras-para-un-mundo-en-llamas-reflexiones-en-torno-a-inferno-de-boards-of-canada review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || Dagens Nyheter || SE || Mattias Dahlström || [https://www.dn.se/kultur/boards-of-canadas-comeback-var-vard-all-vantan/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || ? || igloo magazine || EN || Olivier Egli || [https://igloomag.com/features/boards-of-canada-inferno-we-need-to-believe] || no ||
|-
| n/a || ? || Loud And Quiet || EN || Sam Walton || [https://loudandquiet.substack.com/p/boards-of-canada-inferno-album-review review] || no ||
|-
| 4 || no || Financial Times || EN || Ludovic Hunter-Tilney || [https://www.ft.com/content/af214775-519b-4c94-8db7-6b5207cc70bd?syn-25a6b1a6=1 review] || yes || ⭐⭐
|-
| 4 || no || The Guardian || EN || Ben Beaumont-Thomas || [https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/may/23/boards-of-canada-inferno-review-after-13-years-away-their-prodigal-return-is-a-big-disappointment review] || no || ⭐⭐
|-
| 4 || no || The Arts Desk || EN || Ibi Keita || [https://www.theartsdesk.com/new-music/boards-canada-channel-dante-inferno-seem-even-more-lost review] || no || ⭐⭐
|}

=== Shops ===
* [https://www.crashrecords.co.uk/products/boards-of-canada-inferno-pre-order Crash Records]
* [https://www.hhv.de/en/records/item/boards-of-canada-inferno-1392710 HHV]
* [https://www.jumborecords.co.uk/music-single.asp?product_id=WARPCD496 Jumbo Records]
* [https://www.normanrecords.com/records/215515-boards-of-canada-inferno Norman Records]
* [https://www.roughtrade.com/en-de/artist/boards-of-canada Rough Trade]
* [https://thevaultcollectiveltd.co.uk/products/boards-of-canada-inferno The Vault Collective ltd]

=== Various ===
* [https://warp.net/artists/boards-of-canada Boards of Canada on Warp Records]
* [https://bleep.com/boards-of-canada Boards of Canada on Bleep]

== References ==
<references />

== Artwork ==
The listing below is generated dynamically, based on: [[:Category: Inferno artwork]].

<DynamicPageList>
category = Inferno artwork
namespace=file
ordermethod = created
imagewidth=104
galleryshowfilesize=yes
galleryshowfilename=yes
imagesperrow=6
mode=gallery
</DynamicPageList>

{{Nav-Releases}}

[[Category: Inferno]]

Inferno

2026-05-29T17:47:20Z

2A02:200:2E01:C470:FDF2:3C05:A87D:C705: Added Cassette to the formats

{{Infobox Release|
| name=Inferno
| cover=Inferno cover.jpg
| release_date=29 May 2026
| format=Gatefold 2xLP Deluxe 2xLP CD Cassette Digital Merch Bundles
| label=Warp Records
| catno=WARP496
| runtime=69:51 70:00 (Continuous Mix)
}}

'''''Inferno''''' is the fifth studio album by [[Boards of Canada]], scheduled for release on 29 May 2026 via [[Warp Records]]. It is the long-anticipated follow-up to their 2013 album ''[[Tomorrow's Harvest]]'' - a gap of nearly thirteen years preceded its release, the band's longest to date between albums.

__TOC__

{{WIP}}
== Tracks ==
All tracks are written and produced by [[Mike Sandison]].<ref>https://www.discogs.com/release/37423158-Boards-Of-Canada-Inferno</ref>

# "[[Introit]]" – 0:36
# "[[Prophecy At 1420 MHz]]" – 5:04
# "[[Hydrogen Helium Lithium Leviathan]]" – 4:44
# "[[Age Of Capricorn]]" – 3:52
# "[[Father And Son]]" – 3:24
# "[[Somewhere Right Now In The Future]]" – 2:26
# "[[Naraka]]" – 5:01
# "[[Acts Of Magic]]" – 1:18
# "[[Memory Death]]" – 2:37
# "[[The Word Becomes Flesh]]" – 5:20
# "[[Into The Magic Land]]" – 4:35
# "[[Blood In The Labyrinth]]" – 4:55
# "[[Deep Time]]" – 3:18
# "[[All Reason Departs]]" – 6:14
# "[[Arena Americanada]]" – 5:22
# "[[The Process]]" – 3:01
# "[[You Retreat In Time And Space]]" – 5:25
# "[[I Saw Through Platonia]]" – 2:39
Bonus flexi disc (Red 2LP vinyl edition only):
# "[[Vol.4 - P. Primers - 177 Giraud's Mirror]]" – 3:24 ''

== Leadup ==

''Main article: [[Road to Inferno]]''

Speculation for the album's release preceded its official announcement by over a decade, with the band and its associates sparsely giving out new information. Activity notably increased in 2025, including the band's Instagram account [[Road_to_Inferno#Instagram_Likes|liking comments related to a new album]], a [[Tomorrow's Harvest]]-era [[Cosecha-transmisiones.com|website]] [[Road_to_Inferno#Cosecha_Transmisiones|coming online once again]], and [[Road_to_Inferno#New_Merchandise|new merchandise being put on sale]]. For a more detailed look on the band's activities during this period, see the article [[Road to Inferno]].

== Promotional Campaign ==
''Main article: [[2026 Promo Campaign]]''

In early April 2026, multiple fans received unmarked VHS tapes through the mail, with sender addresses related to [[Warp Records|Warp]] and their online storefront [[Bleep.com|Bleep]]. About a week after, posters with imagery reminiscent of the band started appearing in multiple places around the UK and US. For an in-depth look at the days preceding the album's announcement, see the article [[2026 Promo Campaign]].

== Title and Themes ==

As a word, ''Inferno'' references hell and places reminiscent of it. It is the most explicit reference to religion and the occult since their 2002 album ''[[Geogaddi]]'' and 2000 EP ''[[In a Beautiful Place out in the Country (release)|In a Beautiful Place out in the Country]]''. The album's titles also heavily refer to concepts in cosmology and physics.

* An "[[Introit]]" is a song or psalm that is sung or recited at the beginning of a Christian mass.
* "[[Father And Son]]" could reference the Holy Trinity, which consists of the two and The Holy Spirit.
* "[[The Word Becomes Flesh]]" is a quotation from [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%201:14&version=NIV verse 1:14] of the Gospel of John.
* "[[Naraka]]" references the realm of hell seen in Indian religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism.
* "[[The Process]]" could refer to the Process Church of the Final Judgement, a new religious movement which briefly existed in the 1960s and 70s. ''The Process'' was the title of their magazine.
* "[[Prophecy At 1420 MHz]]" references the hydrogen line, a specific wavelength of radiation emitted by hydrogen as it undergoes a quantum transition. It has been used to investigate the properties of the universe, and search for extraterrestrial life.
* "[[Hydrogen Helium Lithium Leviathan]]" refers to the first three elements of the periodic table and the mythical sea creature.
* "[[Age Of Capricorn]]" refers to the tenth sign of the astrological zodiac, and is the astrological age that follows the Age of Aquarius.
* "[[I Saw Through Platonia]]" could refer to a concept by Julian Barbour of a realm called Platonia, which contains every possible configuration of the universe.

== Trivia ==

* ''[[Inferno]]'' has been assigned the catalog number [https://warp.net/releases/590960-inferno/tracklist WARP496]. This seems to be a deliberate request from the band themselves, as preceding [[Warp]] releases such as Squarepusher's [https://warp.net/releases/576448-kammerkonzert/ Kammerkonzert] and Oneohtrix Point Never's [https://warp.net/releases/552598-tranquilizer/ Tranquilizer] have catalog numbers of 417 and 411, respectively.
** 496 is a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfect_number perfect number] and a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexagonal_number hexagonal number].
** 496 also holds significance in gematria (Jewish numerology). Representing Kingdom (Malkhut / מלכות). It should be further noted that 496 is the 31st Triangle number, which holds further significance as 31 is the gematria of the word God (El / אֵל).
* The Continuous Mix version runs for exactly 70 minutes. This seems to be deliberate, as 70 has carried meaning to the band in the past. For example:
** [[Music70]] is the name of [[Mike Sandison|Mike]] and [[Marcus Eoin|Marcus]]'s own label.
** [[Sixtyten]] from [[Music Has the Right to Children|MHTRTC]] reads out as 70.
** [[The Smallest Weird Number]] from [[Geogaddi]] directly refers to 70, which is the smallest [[wikipedia:Weird number|weird number]]. Even though the track runs for 1:17, it cuts out at exactly 1:10, which is 70 seconds.

== Release Notes ==
All personnel credits adapted from ''[[Inferno]]'s liner notes.<ref>https://www.discogs.com/release/37423158-Boards-Of-Canada-Inferno</ref>

* [[Mike Sandison]] – electronics, synths, tapes, programming, audio evocations, drums, percussion, guitars, bass, string instruments, processes, sound design
* [[Marcus Eoin]] – electronics, synths, tapes, processes, sound design
* [[Boards of Canada]] – recording, artwork, films, photo collage, design
* [https://www.thisismetropolis.com/engineers/matt-colton/ Matt Colton]  – mastering engineer

== See Also ==
* [[Road to Inferno]]
* [[2026 Promo Campaign]]
* [[Inferno listening parties]]
* [[Discography]]
* [[Timeline]]
* [[Statements from Hexagon Sun]]

== External Links ==
=== Forums ===
* [https://forum.keyosc.com/topic/1980-inferno-may-29-2026/ Keyosc discussion: "Inferno" May 29 2026]
* [https://www.twoism.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15631 Twoism discussion: General New Release Speculation Topic Part II]
* [https://www.twoism.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16008 Twoism discussion: LP5 - Inferno]
* [https://www.twoism.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16027 Twoism discussion: Inferno Sessions]
* [https://www.twoism.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16126 Twoism discussion: Interno Reviews]

=== Press ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! publication !! article
|-
| Asatunews || [https://www.asatunews.co.id/en/boards-canada-announces-new-album Boards of Canada Announces New Album Inferno for May Release]
|-
| Billboard || [https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/boards-of-canada-new-album-inferno-1236229593/ Boards of Canada set new album 'inferno']
|-
| Clash Magazine || [https://www.clashmusic.com/news/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-inferno/ Boards Of Canada Announce New Album ‘Inferno’]
|-
| Consequence Sound || [https://consequence.net/2026/04/boards-of-canada-inferno-new-album/ Boards of Canada Announce New Album Inferno]
|-
| DJ Mag || [https://djmag.com/news/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-inferno Boards Of Canada announce new album, ‘Inferno’]
|-
| Igloo Magazine || [https://igloomag.com/newswire/boards-of-canada-announce-inferno-warp Boards of Canada announce Inferno (Warp) — May 29, 2026]
|-
| NME || [https://www.nme.com/news/music/boards-of-canada-announce-inferno-their-first-album-in-13-years-3941899 Boards Of Canada announce ‘Inferno’ – their first album in 13 years]
|-
| Opus || [https://opus.ing/p/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-titled-inferno Boards of Canada Announce New Album Titled Inferno]
|-
| Pitchfork || [https://pitchfork.com/news/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-inferno/ Boards of Canada Reveal New Album Inferno]
|-
| Resident Advisor || [https://nl.ra.co/news/85026 Boards of Canada confirm new album, Inferno]
|-
| Rockshit Magazine || [https://rockshotmagazine.com/boards-of-canada-announce-long-awaited-new-album-inferno/ Boards Of Canada Announce Long-Awaited New Album ‘Inferno’]
|-
| Stereogum || [https://stereogum.com/2496646/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-inferno/news Boards Of Canada Announce New Album Inferno]
|-
| The Line of Best Fit || [https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/boards-of-canada-reveal-details-of-inferno-first-new-album-in-13-years Boards of Canada reveal details of Inferno, first new album in 13 years]
|-
| The Quietus || [https://thequietus.com/news/boards-of-canada-announce-new-album-inferno/ Boards Of Canada Detail New Album, ‘Inferno’]
|-
| We Rave You || [https://weraveyou.com/2026/04/boards-of-canada-inferno-album-2026/ Boards of Canada announce new album ‘Inferno’ after 13-year break]
|}

=== Reviews ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! score !! favorable !! publication !! lang !! writer !! link !! paywall !! notes
|-
| 10 || yes || The Herald || EN || Barry Didcock || [https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/26119902.indepth-review-boards-canada-inferno-five-star-return/ review] || yes || ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 10 || yes || musicOMH || EN || Steven Johnson || [https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/boards-of-canada-inferno review] || yes || ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 10 || yes || Europe Says || EN || n/a || [https://www.europesays.com/canada/57411/ review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 9 || yes || Uncut || EN || Michael Bonner || [https://bsky.app/profile/uncutmagazine.bsky.social/post/3mmbyeuto722l review] || yes || album of the month
|-
| 9 || yes || Clash || EN || Sam Walker-Smart || [https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/boards-of-canada-inferno/ review] || no ||
|-
| 9 || yes || Sound of Violence || FR || Franck Narquin || [https://www.soundofviolence.net/articles/album/6413/boards_of_canada_inferno.html review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
|-
| 9 || yes || File Under Fire || EN || Matt Young || [https://fileunderfire.com/album-reviews/is-boards-of-canadas-inferno-the-soundtrack-of-the-end-times-we-deserve/ review] || no ||
|-
| 8.6 || yes || Pitchfork || EN || Philip Sherburne || [https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/boards-of-canada-inferno/ review] || yes || best new music
|-
| 8 || yes || The Scotsman || EN || Fiona Shepherd || [https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/music/album-reviews-boards-of-canada-inferno-the-coral-radhika-autoleisureland-8636190 review] || yes || ⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 8 || yes || The Skinny || EN || Lewis Wade || [https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/reviews/albums/boards-of-canada-inferno review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 8 || yes || Mojo || EN || Andrew Male || [https://www.mojo4music.com/reviews/new-music/boards-of-canada-inferno-review-enigmatic-duo-turn-their-focus-to-the-present/ review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐⭐
|-
| 8 || yes || Exclaim || EN || Daryl Keating || [https://exclaim.ca/music/rarticle/boards-of-canada-inferno-album-review review] || no ||
|-
| 7 || yes || Far Out Magazine || EN || Tom Phelan || [https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/boards-of-canada-inferno-album-review/ review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐½
|-
| 7 || yes || Our Culture || EN || Konstantinos Pappis || [https://ourculturemag.com/2026/05/28/album-review-boards-of-canada-inferno/ review] || no || ⭐⭐⭐½
|-
| n/a || yes || The Quietus || EN || Sereptie || [https://thequietus.com/quietus-reviews/boards-of-canada-inferno/ review] || ||
|-
| n/a || yes || DJ Mag || EN || Ben Cardew || [https://djmag.com/reviews/boards-of-canada-inferno review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || The Wall Street Journal || EN || Mark Richardson || [https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/music/inferno-by-boards-of-canada-review-bleak-and-beautiful-167e6e07 review] || yes ||
|-
| n/a || yes || Resident Advisor || EN || Sasha Geffen || [https://de.ra.co/reviews/36354 review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || Attack Magazine || EN || Adam Douglas || [https://www.attackmagazine.com/features/columns/what-happened-at-boards-of-canadas-inferno-tokyo-listening-session/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || Juno Daily || EN || Charlie Wright || [https://www.juno.co.uk/junodaily/2026/05/23/boards-of-canadas-inferno-album-first-listen-review/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || OOR || NL || Koen Poolman || [https://oor.nl/albums/inferno/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || taz.on weekend || DE || Julian Weber || [https://taz.de/!6177981/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || The Pop Corporation || EN || ? || [https://thepopcorps.co.uk/2026/05/25/review-boards-of-canada-inferno/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || Sustratro || ES || Miguel Pardo || [https://www.sustrato.io/textos/mantras-para-un-mundo-en-llamas-reflexiones-en-torno-a-inferno-de-boards-of-canada review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || yes || Dagens Nyheter || SE || Mattias Dahlström || [https://www.dn.se/kultur/boards-of-canadas-comeback-var-vard-all-vantan/ review] || no ||
|-
| n/a || ? || Loud And Quiet || EN || Sam Walton || [https://loudandquiet.substack.com/p/boards-of-canada-inferno-album-review review] || no ||
|-
| 4 || no || Financial Times || EN || Ludovic Hunter-Tilney || [https://www.ft.com/content/af214775-519b-4c94-8db7-6b5207cc70bd?syn-25a6b1a6=1 review] || yes || ⭐⭐
|-
| 4 || no || The Guardian || EN || Ben Beaumont-Thomas || [https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/may/23/boards-of-canada-inferno-review-after-13-years-away-their-prodigal-return-is-a-big-disappointment review] || no || ⭐⭐
|-
| 4 || no || The Arts Desk || EN || Ibi Keita || [https://www.theartsdesk.com/new-music/boards-canada-channel-dante-inferno-seem-even-more-lost review] || no || ⭐⭐
|}

=== Shops ===
* [https://www.crashrecords.co.uk/products/boards-of-canada-inferno-pre-order Crash Records]
* [https://www.hhv.de/en/records/item/boards-of-canada-inferno-1392710 HHV]
* [https://www.jumborecords.co.uk/music-single.asp?product_id=WARPCD496 Jumbo Records]
* [https://www.normanrecords.com/records/215515-boards-of-canada-inferno Norman Records]
* [https://www.roughtrade.com/en-de/artist/boards-of-canada Rough Trade]
* [https://thevaultcollectiveltd.co.uk/products/boards-of-canada-inferno The Vault Collective ltd]

=== Various ===
* [https://warp.net/artists/boards-of-canada Boards of Canada on Warp Records]
* [https://bleep.com/boards-of-canada Boards of Canada on Bleep]

== References ==
<references />

== Artwork ==
The listing below is generated dynamically, based on: [[:Category: Inferno artwork]].

<DynamicPageList>
category = Inferno artwork
namespace=file
ordermethod = created
imagewidth=104
galleryshowfilesize=yes
galleryshowfilename=yes
imagesperrow=6
mode=gallery
</DynamicPageList>

{{Nav-Releases}}

[[Category: Inferno]]