Day 65
Septicflesh - The Great Mass
Band Origin: Athens, Greece
Band Origin: Athens, Greece
Genre: Symphonic Death Metal
Label: Season of Mist
Running Time: 44 minutes
Release Date: April 18, 2011
Best Part: Symphonic. Death Metal. Together. Pretty much instant victory any day of the week.
Favorite Tracks: The Vampire From Nazareth, Mad Architect, A Great Mass of Death, Five Pointed Star, Pyramid God, Apocalypse, and Oceans of Grey
Grade: 5
Note: Easy lock in my 10 for this year, also packs the potential for a top 5 finish.
Note: Easy lock in my 10 for this year, also packs the potential for a top 5 finish.
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The Great Mass in 20ish words or less:
The second album since Septicflesh returned from hiatus brings back the philharmonic orchestra for one of the years more rousing performances.
The Band:
Septicflesh is a four piece death metal band out of Greece that had its origins in the melodic, gothic metal and death/doom scenes but eventually grew to become the symphonic death metal giants they are today. Septicflesh was formed in 1990 by guitarist and vocalist Sotiris Vayenas, bassist and harsh vocalist Spiros Antoniou, and Christos Antoniou who provides guitar, samples and orchestrations. Over the years the band has had a number of guest musicians and members featured on their performances. Septicflesh disbanded in 2003, eventually reuniting in 2007 and returning emphatically with their previous release Communion, which was the first record to feature the Philharmonic Orchestra of Prague helping to provide the grand symphonic power to their compositions, and Fotis Bernardo as their new drummer and percussionist, replacing original founding member Akis 'Lethe' Kapranos. The interesting thing to note is that the arrangements for the orchestras were done entirely by Antoniou who actually has a masters degree in concert music from the London College of Music.
Septicflesh is a four piece death metal band out of Greece that had its origins in the melodic, gothic metal and death/doom scenes but eventually grew to become the symphonic death metal giants they are today. Septicflesh was formed in 1990 by guitarist and vocalist Sotiris Vayenas, bassist and harsh vocalist Spiros Antoniou, and Christos Antoniou who provides guitar, samples and orchestrations. Over the years the band has had a number of guest musicians and members featured on their performances. Septicflesh disbanded in 2003, eventually reuniting in 2007 and returning emphatically with their previous release Communion, which was the first record to feature the Philharmonic Orchestra of Prague helping to provide the grand symphonic power to their compositions, and Fotis Bernardo as their new drummer and percussionist, replacing original founding member Akis 'Lethe' Kapranos. The interesting thing to note is that the arrangements for the orchestras were done entirely by Antoniou who actually has a masters degree in concert music from the London College of Music.
Jay's Take on The Great Mass:
When Septicflesh reunited in 2007 it left a lot of people questioning what their newest creation would sound like, seeing as how their last release Sumerian Daemons was one of the best records they had ever created. When they released Communion later in 2008 it was met with a resounding Fuck Yes, from fans and critics, particularly for the inclusion of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Prague, bringing their compositions to life. The Great Mass takes off from this high point, three years later and reintroduces the world to Septicflesh's signature brand of death metal infused with the orchestrations of an 80 piece professional instrumental orchestra and choir of 32 singers. The orchestrations are both powerful and subtle, the choir work subdued and emphatic, and melded with the machinations, fast tempo guitar work and double-bass ridden compositions of the band, create some of this years most brilliant soundscapes. The Great Mass has, in my eyes, easily surpassed all of the bands previous work to date, and has released a record that is sure to grace many shortlists this year for top honors in the metalverse.
When Septicflesh reunited in 2007 it left a lot of people questioning what their newest creation would sound like, seeing as how their last release Sumerian Daemons was one of the best records they had ever created. When they released Communion later in 2008 it was met with a resounding Fuck Yes, from fans and critics, particularly for the inclusion of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Prague, bringing their compositions to life. The Great Mass takes off from this high point, three years later and reintroduces the world to Septicflesh's signature brand of death metal infused with the orchestrations of an 80 piece professional instrumental orchestra and choir of 32 singers. The orchestrations are both powerful and subtle, the choir work subdued and emphatic, and melded with the machinations, fast tempo guitar work and double-bass ridden compositions of the band, create some of this years most brilliant soundscapes. The Great Mass has, in my eyes, easily surpassed all of the bands previous work to date, and has released a record that is sure to grace many shortlists this year for top honors in the metalverse.
Sample of the Day:
- J
- J
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