Septic Flesh – The Great Mass

A great mass of DEATH defines the recently released full length album from the Greek death metal gods, Septic Flesh. I really wasn’t expecting less, I was 100% sure that the album will kick serious ass.

Let’s have a look at the album per se. One could say that it is a mass of orchestral elements combined with melodic death metal tunes and great “walls” of symphonic harmony that comprise every song of the album. ‘Communion’ featured the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and this one also heads out having symphonic tune ups that provide extra “darkish” atmosphere to the pre-existing hellish sounds the band produces. The guys know what to do and how to do it. A great septic mass of putrescent, rotting sounds that makes you have the album on repeat all the time..

Definitely Septic keep their identity, their pompous septic-like riffs are apparent and yet every time compile refreshing sounds, or give a bit more spice to their work, and keep us, the “deathsters”, updated and on track. “The Great Mass” reminds us a lot structure-wise of “Communion”, though, the guys go a bit further, energizing us for once more with their blistering monstrous riffs combining mature sound and even more atmosphere to each track. A mass of pure death that is evident and guitarists Christos Antoniou and Sotiris Vayenas unleash surprisingly melodic, groovy and dark riffs that blow us away. It is difficult not to point out the amazingly engaged vocals of the cleans- Vayenas- and the raspy, deep growls of the lead vocalist Spiros “Seth” Antoniou, I am not sure whether these not combined together in such harmony that the result would be so tremendous. They are technical, distinctive and precise in their work and it is difficult for them not to create “great” musical sensations. Ultimately, it is the symphonic atmosphere that makes ‘The Great Mass’ such a jewel. The title track holds an excellent balance of crushing melodies and symphonic backdrop that shows the trademark of of Septic Flesh and the trademark of the album.. On the other hand, one could say, that Septic Flesh seem to have been more focused on their symphonic output more than worrying about creating overly complex death metal riffs and solos, that is not the case since the band always keep their unique style and sound but also like to experiment and emphasize in its pompous character.

The opening of “The Vampire From Nazareth” has a great female soprano vocal feature (the vocalist in this one is actually part of a side project of Septic Flesh band members) moving on “The vampire from Nazareth” seems like it has borrowed a few riffs from “We The Gods”, but if one notices more clearly and as the track progresses the sound develops to a much heavier and darker symphonic piece, constricted with thundering drums, choirs, and just a raging symphony that keeps one suspended in a hellish with fear and terror atmosphere. “The Great Mass Of Death” is almost at a ‘Persepolis’ level of epic proportions. Moreover, “The Undead Keep Dreaming” is impressive with the switch from blast beats to symphony-focused breaks in the action. Also, “Rising” features an excellent melodic driven guitar with an almost adventurous feel to it. Last but not least, “Pyramid God”, can be defined as the best track on the album due to its catchy rhythms and fantastic drum interlude.

‘A Great Mass Of Death and Orchestral Terror” characterizes the 8th in order full-length release of Septic Flesh’s work. It is another great album from Septic flesh, and I would highly recommend it to all fans of symphonic death metal to check it out. The compositions are memorable and unforgettable, the tunes are magical and intricately detailed to perfection and the end result is hellish incredible.
All hail, Septic Flesh!

Standout tracks: ” Pyramid God “, ” The Great Mass Of Death”, “Oceans of Grey”, ” Therianthropy”.