SepticFlesh

Meadows End – The Grand Antiquation Review

By El Cuervo on March 12, 2019 in 2019, Black Lion Records, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Symphonic Metal, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Symphonic Metal, 82 comments

Sweden’s Meadows End has been pushing their symphonic metal wares on the world for over 20 years and across 3 full-length albums yet had surprisingly avoided coverage at this website thus far. Album four goes by the name of The Grand Antiquation (TGA) and features album artwork about which I am undecided: is it delightfully tacky or just tacky? Light / dark theme? Check. Angel / devil imagery? Check. Heaven / Hell setting? Check? Shotgun wielded in one hand Terminator-style? Check. It’s certainly eye-catching and perhaps an indicator of the unsubtle amalgamation of metal and classical housed within. But does it fall closer to Heaven or Hell?” Worse or better angels?

The Ridiculous Year o’ Death Metal Round-up, Part 2 [Things You Might Have Missed 2018]

By Ferrous Beuller on December 28, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Austrian Metal, British Metal, Canadian Metal, Danish Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Italian Metal, Portuguese Metal, Reviews, Swiss Metal, Symphonic Metal, Technical Death Metal, Things You Might Have Missed 2018, 128 comments

“2018 has been undeniably kind to death metal. So kind that it became impossible to pay the necessary attention to every release worthy of note. So, possessed of tyrannical temperament and iron resolve, Kronos and I have enlisted the help of the staff to cover those bands that went so unjustly overlooked.” – Even MORE death metal we missed!? Wow, we’re bad at this job.

Bloodstock Open Air 2018 Review

By Akerblogger on September 2, 2018 in 2018, Blog Posts, Live Reviews, 40 comments

“On Thursday the 9th of August, myself and 19,000 others descended upon the grounds of an old manor house in the heart of the British countryside for a weekend of heavy metal, drinking, and debauchery.” AMG was there. Were you?

Interview with Sven de Caluwé of Aborted

By Mark Z. on March 1, 2018 in Belgian Metal, Blog Posts, Interviews, 1 comment

“During the four days of maritime metal mayhem that was 70,000 Tons of Metal earlier this month, I was lucky enough to snag an interview with Sven de Caluwé, vocalist and founding member of famed Belgian death metal band Aborted. As the mastermind behind songs about serial killers, medical deviance, and (strangely enough) even poop, Sven has led his minions through albums like 2003’s iconic Goremageddon and, most recently, 2016’s warmly received Retrogore. Jittery with fanboyism (and more than a few Fosters) Sven was kind enough to overlook my obvious amateurism to talk about the band’s past, their upcoming Devastation on the Nation tour, and even some juicy details on the new album. Strap on that cadaver apron and read on!” We said strap it on!

Harakiri for the Sky – Arson Review

By Mark Z. on February 13, 2018 in 2018, Art of Propaganda, Austrian Metal, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 1 comment

“If there’s a more promising band out there than Harakiri for the Sky, I don’t know of them. Formed in 2011, this Austrian duo first came to my attention with 2014’s Aokigahara, whose crisp, riffy take on post-black metal was a welcome change from the Alcesty haziness overflowing the genre. My love affair continued with 2016’s III: Trauma, a terrific album that narrowly missed a spot on my year-end list with its lush, gorgeous melodies. Since then Harakiri’s gifted songwriting and unique style have built a rabid fanbase (including both myself and Master of Muppets), making Arson one of my most anticipated records of the year.” Ooooo… the suspense! So much filthy click-bait. I wonder how this is going to end…

Bleeding Gods – Dodekathlon Review

By Ferrous Beuller on January 20, 2018 in 2018, Death Metal, Dutch Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Symphonic Metal, 34 comments

“A new year, a new opportunity for the masses to spout some ephemeral nonsense about “living for the moment” mere seconds before they relapse into heart disease and bad decisions. While we’re all guilty of this to some degree or another, 2018 does represent a year of change for me. As I advance upon a new academic challenge, amongst other things, it also means I have to fucking move house again. However, the disturbance has motivated me to examine some albums I might not have previously, so when I stumbled upon Bleeding Gods and their second release, Dodekathlon — a symphonic death concept record detailing the twelve labors of Hercules — how could I possibly resist?” Pick things up and put them down.

El Cuervo and Diabolus in Muzaka’s Top Ten(ish) of 2017

By Steel Druhm on December 28, 2017 in 2017, Blog Posts, Lists, 115 comments

“Making a successful and popular Top Ten list involves a series of complex calculations, comprised of, but not limited to the following: a tallying of recorded scores, estimated scene cred, a precise proportion of big and underground bands, a spot for that one record universally praised during the year, and a pathological need to seem like one has not missed anything.” Making a list, checking it thrice.

The Modern Age Slavery – Stygian Review

By Mark Z. on November 27, 2017 in 2017, Death Metal, Innerstrength Records, Italian Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, 25 comments

“There’s nothing wrong with modern death metal, and The Modern Age Slavery make no attempt to rebel against the status quo. Formed in 2007, this Italian quintet released debut Damned to Blindness in 2008 but didn’t catch my attention until follow-up Requiem for Us All received some surprisingly enthusiastic praise upon its release in 2013. While I didn’t share the same excitement as other critics, overall Requiem fit nicely alongside the Hour of Penances and Man Must Dies of the world as a sharp, loud, and fast half-hour of socially-conscious death metal.” Sounds preachy.

Syn Ze Șase Tri – Zăul moș Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on September 28, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Code666 Records, Folk Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Romanian Metal, Symphonic Metal, Folk Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 37 comments

“I have to admit, I’d never heard of Syn Ze Șase Tri before I grabbed their 2017 release Zăul moș. For six years these Romanian black metallers have been roaming the earth without my knowledge—dropping their unique brand of symphonic black/death on the planet. Though these Transylvanians hail from the same hometown as Negură Bunget, things are done differently. Both bands have their folky songwriting and both have their native mythologies and concepts, but Syn Ze Șase Tri focuses on bigness.” Transylvania? Symphonic black metal? Big? Just in time for Halloween.

Septicflesh – Codex Omega Review

By GardensTale on August 31, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Death Metal, Greek Metal, Reviews, Season of Mist, Symphonic Metal, Black Metal, 78 comments

“Something evil stirs beneath the Akropolis. Runes begin glowing red in the deep tunnels beneath the temple. Animals scatter in panic as drums rise from the depths. Vendors in Anafiotika pray to their respective gods, but find no respite in faith, as the ground begins to shake and crack. The reason for this unholy display? Septicflesh are back with another fat slab of orchestral death!” Night on Septic Mountain.