More carnage from Fleshcrawl.
Nearly seven years have passed since their last album, and despite a brief hiatus, the band led by Bastian Herzog (drums), Manu Markowski (bass), Christian Kalbrecht (guitar, Gutfuck), Apu Justin Reisch (guitar, Sacroscum), and Borisz Sarafutgyinov (vocals, Dusty Chopper, Deprived of Salvation, Boris the Savage, ex-Symmetry of the Void…) has signed with Reigning Phoenix Music for the release of their tenth album, Epitome of Carnage.
The Germans launch their HM-2 assault with Blood Dominion, an ultra-violent opener that immediately puts us in the right frame of mind to headbang frantically to the screams while the chainsaw rages. The abrasive sound and speed make it a perfect track to embody Old School Death Metal, and even the solo adds an unsettling edge before slowing down to transition into Chapel of Guts, a track as heavy as can be, whose intro builds an oppressive atmosphere before a surge of energy led by the drums. The track accelerates again to find its slightly jerky but effective cruising pace, then offers a few morbid touches before Grave Messiah strikes in turn, bringing its own vengeance along with its cavernous tones coupled with the usual devastating sound. Next up is Embers of Wrath, a familiar track that starts off with a catchy mid-tempo beat, giving listeners a chance to loosen up and letting the melodies settle in before quickly leading into Committed to Suffer, which kicks into high gear with a full-throttle blast. The vocals adapt effortlessly to the shifting tempo and the macabre atmosphere, then we’re off at full speed again with Reign Forever, the next track that holds its own against the genre’s iconic tracks in both its violence and its mastery of the crowd-stirring energy. The blood-curdling harmonics are also in full force, offering an interesting break before the final solo that leads into Chronicles of Bloodshed, an interlude that marks the first true moment of respite while still maintaining the unsettling tones, before charging back in with Rebuilt from Flesh, a track that’s also perfect for frantically headbanging. Everything about this track calls for violence, whether it’s the savage rhythm section, the vocal parts, or the catchy patterns, and the same goes for Orphan God, which is enjoyed in exactly the same way: with your head bobbing to the band’s furious riffs. The tempo slows down slightly for Path of Thorns, the next track, which is sure to deliver bursts of rage as its riffs rage on and weave together these haunting sounds, even letting the bass take a breather at times before exploding into Heralds Of Death, which also handles its rhythm quite well. The blows rain down to the rhythm of the uncompromising guitars, and the final note is struck by Of Fire and Flesh, the closing track that allows us to savor one last time that searing, aggressive sound the band never fails to unleash at every moment, even during the requiem that marks the end of the track.
The hiatus has been good for Fleshcrawl, and even though the band has been affected by a few lineup changes, they’ve returned with Epitome of Carnage to deliver a veritable onslaught of Old School-style violence just the way we like it. Long live Fleshcrawl!
95/100