Eine Liebe, zwei Pistolen

metaltuesday:

I browsed a few “Top Albums of 2011” lists because I wanted to get some stuff I’m not familiar with to listen to, and Septic Flesh was on several; I figured I’d give them a try. I was expecting gore or grind based on their name/cover art, and I was surprised by some awesome symphonic death metal! It took me back to high school days when I listened to a lot of Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir. Except these guys are better.

Guitar wise, this album isn’t particularly impressive or technical- straightforward, driving (at times almost groovy) traditional death sound. But, the drumming and masterfully blended orchestra/choir make The Great Mass a huge pleasure to listen to. There is a fullness to all of the tracks that is absolutely beautiful. Granted, ‘beautiful’ is an out of place word for such a dark album, but it’s true. The icing on the cake is Spiros Antoniou’s (these dudes are Greek) growling vocals. Normally I’m put off by the singing in this genre, but he maintains a deep and grating sound that is at the same time understandable. Think Viking metal, but more appropriate in a graveyard.

Highs:

“Apocalpse” - Possibly the most epic song on the album sonically (toss up with “Therionthropy”), the lyrics make it the top song for me. It is a critique on humans behaving like parasites and disregarding the “Eden” that is Earth.

You can turn paradise into wasteland/ it is your greatest design/ As tyrant you demand nature’s powers to obey/ From suicidal wrath no one will escape.

“Pyramid God” - I’m a sucker for the cut outs this song utilizes at the end of each phrase. Akin to the drop, if you’re into dubstep. Except in when there are badass guitar riffs and a symphony when it comes back in, it makes you feel like you feel like you can summon demons.

“Oceans of Grey” - It’s simplicity makes this track SO GOOD! Grooving and driving the whole way, with choir chants and a huge string section ending.

Lows:

A lot of the clean(ish) vocals feel wrong to me. Sotiris Vayenas has a nasally sort of voice, and the rhythms he uses can be awkward. Not to say he is all bad because I think he fits in well on “Rising” and “Therianthrophy.”

I was disappointed at how abruptly this album ends. It sort of just cuts after the last chorus. I would have put “Oceans of Grey” as the closer.