Released by: Nuclear Blast Records

Release Date: June 20th, 2022

Genre: Symphonic Death Metal

Links: https://www.septicflesh.com/

Line Up:

Seth Siro Anton | Vocals, Bass

Christos Antoniou | Guitar, Orchestra

Sotiris Anunnaki V | Clean Vocals, Guitar, 12 String Guitar

Psychon | Guitar

Kerim “Krimh” Lechner | Drums

Tracklist:

01. The Collector
02. Hierophant
03. Self-Eater
04. Neuromancer
05. Coming Storm
06. A Desert Throne
07. Modern Primitives
08. Psychohistory
09. A Dreadful Muse

From my earliest memories of music, I’ve been fascinated by how it has changed so much over the years. Despite one of my earliest favorite bands being one of the most innovative bands at the time, The Beatles, even they couldn’t have imagined the wild styles and sounds bands would be creating now (and little did I know that there was someone named Frank Zappa even more innovative than them at the time either.) The inclusion of Symphonic music in Metal isn’t a new thing, but I find it especially striking in Extreme Metal bands. One of the bands I find that does it expertly is Septicflesh.

With their latest album, Modern Primitive, Septicflesh deftly explores their brand of Symphonic Blackened Death Metal. I discovered them some years ago and have been a fan ever since. I believe Modern Primitive they have created their best album yet. The orchestrations are grander, the riffs are heavier, the harsh vocals are darker, the clean vocals and chorales are more beatific, and the songs are more powerful than anything they’ve done in the past. I felt an instant connection with this album I’ve not felt with their albums in the past, and I’ve loved almost everything they have released so far. Tracks like “Psychohistory,” “Self Eater,” and Modern Primitives” paint a dark tapestry, kissed with moments of haunting beauty.

Easily one of my favorite bands to come out in the last couple of decades, Septicflesh’s perfect blend of Extreme Metal and lush orchestration create a melancholic enchantment that truly speaks to me. Modern Primitive is ahead of the pack as possible Album of the Year.

Written by: Chris Martin