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Fleshgod Apocalypse’s shtick is combining death metal and classical music. Classical music in metal goes all the way back to Richie Blackmore. However, metal bands usually lack formal training. They often merely tread harmonic minor water, while throwing in some diminished arpeggios. So many bands play classical-sounding licks without “getting” classical’s complexity and colors.
In Honour of ReasonAs Tyrants Fall
These Italians aren’t the answer to the problem, but they’re one step closer. On their debut, Oracles (Willowtip, 2009), they construct bona fide classical chord progressions. They dial in big, serrated tones, while keeping wankery in check. They also insert tasty string and piano interludes. I can’t tell if the orchestral parts are samples, but the liner notes credit someone with “orchestral arrangements.” If they’re indeed composed from scratch, they sound 100% authentic.
They’re also nice breathers. In relentlessness and percussiveness, Fleshgod Apocalypse suggest Krisiun gone neoclassical. Surprisingly, the sound has legs. The band doesn’t skimp on death metal in indulging its classical fetish. Headbanging comes first. Perhaps Wagner inspired bangovers in his day.
Buy:
Amazon (MP3)
Relapse (CD)
The End (CD)
Willowtip (CD)
Fleshgod Apocalypse (CD)
That sounds really good. I’ll have to check it out. There’s a copy here already, but I didn’t have time to listen to it when it arrived, because I was writing a review of the new Ulcerate album, which came in the same package from Willowtip. I swear, that label has one of the strongest catalogs in metal – can anybody name a truly lame Willowtip release? Everything I’ve heard from them rules.
This is really garish in my opinion. For death metal that deals with classical composition a bit more seriously than just throwing diminished arpeggios in there, check out Windham Hell – Window of Souls and Reflective Depth Imbibe
Some thought the Crotchduster album on Willowtip was lame, though that was a joke record.
the classical elements all just seem so forced, like they were never fully incorporated into the death metal. it’s a shame, cuz they’re wasting a pretty sweet name.
After listening to this (and reviewing it for AMG), I’m with Childers. The failure to incorporate the classical elements into the music, rather than just tacking them on at the beginning or end of the death metal songs (which are pretty good all by themselves, somewhere between Necrophagist and Suffocation), is disappointing. As a metal record, it’s not bad, but it could have been something much more interesting.