Released by: Nuclear Blast Records
Release date: 5 February 2016
Genre: Symphonic Death Metal, Technical Death Metal
Links: Facebook , fleshgodapocalypse.com
Lineup:
Tommaso Riccardi – Vocals & Guitars
Paolo Rossi – Vocals & Bass
Cristiano Trionfera – Vocals & Guitars
Francesco Paoli – Drums, Guitars & Vocals
Francesco Ferrini – Piano, Orchestra
Track Listing:
CD 1:
01. Marche Royale
02. In Aeternum
03. Healing Through War
04. The Fool
05. Cold As Perfection
06. Mitra
07. Paramour (Die Leidenschaft Bringt Leiden)
08. And The Vulture Beholds
09. Gravity
10. A Million Deaths
11. Syphilis
12. King
CD2 (Orchestral Versions):
01. Marche Royale
02. In Aeternum
03. Healing Through War
04. The Fool
05. Cold As Perfection
06. Mitra
07. And The Vulture Beholds
08. Gravity
09. A Million Deaths
10. Syphilis
Most of the time I can’t remember the headliner of the show that turned me into a Fleshgod Apocalypse freak (it was Kataklysm.) What instantly pops into my mind when I think of this band is how utterly blown away I was by their performance. I’d barely even heard the name Fleshgod Apocalypse before, let alone their music or anything about them. They were so captivating with their ghoulish presence and this brutally heavy yet beautifully orchestrated sound. After that show, I immediately lapped up everything I could about them, becoming one of their loyal servants. When I was given the chance to review their latest album, I pounced on it.
King, the bands fourth full-length release, is a culmination of everything from the prior three albums; taking them to a next level area I’m not sure even they’ll be able to top. This is, without a doubt, not only the best album this band has released, but could very well be the best album ever in the Symphonic Death Metal genre, period. Creating some of the most crushing riffs to some of the most delicate and haunting piano pieces, Fleshgod Apocalypse demonstrate a writing talent beyond anything most metal bands are capable of. Proving that the likes of Carcass and Mozart have much more in common than meets the ear, King paints a bleak tapestry of a world’s demise as he watches it happen, helpless to control it. The album opens with the militaristic “Marche Royale” into the intense “In Aeternum.” One of the things that I loved about them from the first listen is the duality of this demonic growled voice juxtaposed by this eerie clean voice. The heaviness is counteracted by bombastic, sprawling orchestrations that give the album such a full sound and feel. Not to be “out-heavied,” King has moments of tenderness with tracks like “Paramour (Die Leidenschaft Bringt Leiden)” and “King” that show the band capable of not only being incredibly intense playing metal, but also have a dark heaviness during quieter pieces. This, for me, is what sets them apart from other bands in this genre: they have the capacity to be heavy no matter what style, and have the ability to illicit deep emotions from their songs.
I knew this album was going to be brilliant, but I had no idea it would be genre defining. Fleshgod Apocalypse has delivered a brilliant album in King, and there is no reason, unless you don’t like extreme music of any kind, that this album won’t blow you away as well. I certainly foresee this one topping some best of lists come the end of the year, and that’s saying something taking in consideration it’s only January. This album is simply stunning.
Written by: Chris Martin
Ratings: Chris 10/10.
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