Inferno
Boards Of Canada 2026
Manager's take
13 years later and BOC's sonic adventure continues on it's path toward a dystopian future. All in all a very wordy for them... Boards of Canada's album Inferno is an immersive, state-based concept record centered on creation, death, rebirth, and religious existentialism. Instead of traditional lyrics, the duo utilizes found-sound vocal samples, cryptic numbers, and cyclical audio loops to explore themes of profound spiritual conflict and apocalypse.
Key thematic elements of Inferno include:
1. Spiritual & Religious Duality
- Divine Proclamation vs. Doubt: The album is steeped in spiritual and occult undertones. Tracks like "Prophecy at 1420 Mhz" and "Father and Son" feature vocal samples that seem to mimic God's voice, while others query whether our faith is real or a dangerous illusion.
- Angels vs. Demons: The duo distorts and layers voices to represent inner spiritual conflict, alluding to age-old tales of false tongues and warring belief systems.
2. Creation and the Cosmos
- The Elements of Life: Track titles like "Hydrogen Helium Lithium Leviathan" suggest a cosmic, secular creation myth mirroring the origins of the universe.
- The Cycle of Time: The record explores how life evolves, with concepts of consciousness, embryos, and recurring cyclical birth.
3. Mortality and Rebirth
- The Finality of the Body: The album closes with the pulsing sound of a human heartbeat on tracks like "I Saw Through Platonia," refocusing listeners on concrete reality and the natural cycle of life.
- The Phoenix Motif: The overall concept of the "Inferno" is viewed by listeners as a purgatory-like transition—a destructive fire (like a forest fire) necessary to allow new life and rebirth.
A side songs
| Title | Lyrics | Song Credits | Duration | Plays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| play_circle_filled | Introit (clip preview) | 0:37 | 0 | ||
| play_circle_filled | Prophecy At 1420 MHz (clip preview) | 5:03 | 0 | ||
| play_circle_filled | Hydrogen Helium Lithium Leviathan (clip preview) | 4:44 | 0 | ||
| play_circle_filled | Age Of Capricorn (clip preview) | 3:52 | 0 | ||
| play_circle_filled | Father And Son (clip preview) | 3:22 | 0 |
B side songs
| Title | Lyrics | Song Credits | Duration | Plays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| play_circle_filled | Somewhere Right Now In The Future (clip preview) | 2:25 | 0 | ||
| play_circle_filled | Naraka (clip preview) | 5:00 | 0 | ||
| play_circle_filled | Acts Of Magic (clip preview) | 1:20 | 0 | ||
| play_circle_filled | Memory Death (clip preview) | 2:36 | 0 | ||
| play_circle_filled | The Word Becomes Flesh (clip preview) | 5:20 | 0 |
C side songs
| Title | Lyrics | Song Credits | Duration | Plays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| play_circle_filled | Into The Magic Land (clip preview) | 4:32 | 0 | ||
| play_circle_filled | Blood In The Labyrinth (clip preview) | 4:55 | 0 | ||
| play_circle_filled | Deep Time (clip preview) | 3:19 | 0 | ||
| play_circle_filled | All Reason Departs (clip preview) | 6:01 | 0 |
D side songs
| Title | Lyrics | Song Credits | Duration | Plays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| play_circle_filled | Arena Americanada (clip preview) | 5:22 | 0 | ||
| play_circle_filled | The Process (clip preview) | 3:00 | 0 | ||
| play_circle_filled | You Retreat In Time And Space (clip preview) | 5:22 | 0 | ||
| play_circle_filled | I Saw Through Platonia (clip preview) | 2:30 | 0 |
About
Similar to except this version has "Made in CA" on the back cover and LP labels.
Packaging info:
- Triple gatefold sleeve.
- Double-sided printed inner sleeves.
- 16-page 12" booklet.
- "Made in Canada" followed by a manufacturing/batch code printed on the back cover shrink wrap, lower left.
Listening parties were held on 28 May in select record stores worldwide. Attendees were handed out limited edition "Inferno Sessions packs" with the purchase of the album. Giveaways were housed in brown envelopes and included an 8-page fold-out poster, patch, sticker and keychain.
Runouts are machine-engraved except 8-digit serial numbers, which are laser-etched.
Durations do not appear on release and were taken from timing.
On the back cover:
Mastered at Metropolis Studios, London
On the back cover and labels:
℗ 2026 Warp Records Limited
© 2026 Warp Records Limited
Made in CA
On the flexi:
Ascension recorded at the MWCYF Conference, 28 August 1983
©MBI 1983
On the hype sticker:
Deluxe edition
2LP red translucent vinyl
Triple gatefold sleeve
16 page booklet
Album Credits
Artwork, Filmed By [Films], Photography By [Photo Collage], Design - Boards Of Canada
Band [Boards Of Canada] - Marcus Eoin, Michael Sandison
Electronics, Synth [Synths], Tape [Tapes], Effects [Processes], Sound Designer [Sound Design] - Marcus Eoin
Electronics, Synth [Synths], Tape [Tapes], Programmed By [Programming], Samples [Audio Evocations], Drums, Percussion, Guitar [Guitars], Bass, Strings [String Instruments], Effects [Processes], Sound Designer [Sound Design] - Michael Sandison
Mastered By - Matt Colton
Recorded By - Boards Of Canada
Written-By [All Tracks Written By], Producer [Produced By] - Michael Sandison
Liner Notes
Boards of Canada’s Inferno (2026) uniquely credit only Mike Sandison for writing and production, departing from the duo's usual joint credits. The physical release features abstract imagery, custom tuning, and a dark visual aesthetic detailing themes of, and referencing the "Platonia" concept and specific mathematical frequencies.