Prior to King, I had only known of Fleshgod Apocalypse by name. The little I did know of them was not sufficient enough for me to dive eardrums-first into their music. I have learned my lesson since then, because after just one listen-through of their latest record, they have made a lifetime fan out of me.
Fleshgod Apocalypse are a symphonic technical death metal band from Italy. One of the standout features of their music is the seamless blend and balance of orchestral instrumentation and arrangement. This plays such an integral part to their music, so much so that on the album they include all the orchestral versions of the tracks– and honestly the orchestration is so substantial that those versions alone are a great listen.
Fleshgod Apocalypse are a symphonic technical death metal band from Italy. One of the standout features of their music is the seamless blend and balance of orchestral instrumentation and arrangement. This plays such an integral part to their music, so much so that on the album they include all the orchestral versions of the tracks– and honestly the orchestration is so substantial that those versions alone are a great listen.
King is a concept album about the reign of an honorable king and the corrupt people around him. Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Tommaso Riccardi, described it best during an interview with Decibel Magazine, where he states the king is, “[…] a man who has integrity and love for the values.” Riccardi goes on to describe the corrupt as trying to, “[…] affect the king’s decisions for their own advantage and hope for loss of power.” It’s quite an in-depth concept that was executed perfectly.
The album begins with an ominous instrumental piece titled “March Royale.” The crescendo of the march leads into the first heavy hitter– and one of my favorite tracks– “In Aeternum.” The song really showcases what the listener is about to sonically experience. It combines precision orchestral arrangement with some brutal death metal, and a super catchy hook. The same can be said for the first single I heard off the album and the track that won me over, “The Fool.” It kicks off with a baroque piano piece that escalates into a full blown onslaught with the guitars, the string section, and the drums going nuts on their respective instruments. Bassist and back-up vocalist, Paolo Rossi, absolutely crushes it with his vocal melody. His voice is able to stand out and complement the captivating music– dude has the voice of a death metal angel.
The operatic track “Paramour,” led by Soprano Veronica Bordacchini, is quite the palette cleanser. Being sandwiched between two death metal tracks like “Mitra” and “And the Vulture Behold,” the change of pace is nice, and helps get your bearings straight again before another headbanger comes at you. The songs “Gravity” and “A Million Deaths” showcase the technical abilities of the band, with tight guitar work and fierce rhythm at the core of each. The penultimate track on King, “Syphilis,” is an epic 7 minute-plus song with an amazing hook sung by Bordacchini. That same chorus escorts the song out with a flurry of double bass behind it.
With King, Fleshgod Apocalypse have made a masterpiece. Musicians Riccardi, Rossi, along with Cristiano Trionfera on lead guitars, Francesco Paoli on drums, and Francesco Ferrini on piano and orchestral arrangement, have made an album where you’re going to need a good pair of head phones and a chunk of time in order to find all the nuances buried in the mix. That’s a true testament to the beautifully composed and arranged music. //Arturo Padilla
