Fleshgod Apocalypse – Veleno

There are a seemingly infinite amount of different flavors that meet and converge in the vast realm that metal inhabits, and it’s through relentless experimentation through wandering minds and daring exploration that we’ve gotten to the current climate we’ve gotten today. From the lovely simplistic to the absurdly complex, there are very few areas of intensity and creativity that metal doesn’t go to with the very specialized styles of symphonic metal and technical death being grand examples of both. We’ve all seen bands from both styles, but I have yet to see an act bring both of them together as wonderfully as Fleshgod Apocalypse has been doing for years now. Through honing their craft and no sign of relenting, it’s their truly unique sound that has led them to their upcoming album of “Veleno” feeling like their most complete album to date as well as the most infectious.

To be familiar with the previous work of Fleshgod Apocalypse is to know what orchestral death metal can achieve on its own where many other acts have tried but not nearly to as great effect as what this band has managed to bring to the table on multiple occasions one album after the other. But, it’s their last two records of “King” and “Labyrinth” that are what captured the minds of many including my own as we really saw what was possible when Fleshgod Apocalypse brought their A-game. It all feels immensely calculated, as well, as you might imagine given this act has been cooking symphonic and technical death metal together in one pot for at least ten years now to perfect that volatile recipe. What would happen if Fleshgod Apocalypse took an approach to new material that was much more spontaneous to the point that it can be heard in the final product? Well, that’s precisely what “Veleno” has accomplished in no less than exquisite detail!

Naturally, I couldn’t even begin to tell you what goes into making any sort of material from Fleshgod Apocalypse other than pure genius and classical-themed brutality. But listening to “Veleno” it’s clear through the far more organic stream of excellence from one track to the next that Fleshgod Apocalypse was in a different mindset when creating this monolithic album. Everything about this record from its immaculate execution to its voracious brutality that mixes flawlessly with the captivating technicality – a perfected combination that’s all but expected from Fleshgod Apocalypse at this point – to the beautiful orchestrations that bring that signature flair allows “Veleno” to simultaneously become an experience that fans would have become familiar with by now. Yet, Fleshgod Apocalypse has reached a peak with this album. There are many times that I’ve found myself planted in my seat with my hands on my headphones listening so closely to every moving piece of the work I’m listening to, but I simply couldn’t help myself with “Veleno” in all of its exquisite qualities that are enrapturing all on their own.

One spin of a record like this would be a flat out crime. There is so much going on within this album that it would appear to be created by masters, and that’s precisely what’s been done here as I’ve been saying! There is not a single aspect of this powerful record that Fleshgod Apocalypse didn’t nail with deadly accuracy to enable “Veleno” to become the crowning achievement of their already illustrious career. These Italians have been revered for years now, but I fully believe that it’s with “Veleno” that we’ve gotten the most immaculate display of gorgeous ferocity that Fleshgod Apocalypse has dealt us to date and it’s surely to only get better from here on out!

“Veleno” releases on March 24 via Nuclear Blast Records! You can stream the single, “Suger”, via YouTube below and pre-order the album here.

Track Listing:
1. Fury
2. Carnivorous Lamb
3. Sugar
4. The Praying Mantis’ Strategy
5. Monnalisa
6. Worship and Forget
7. Absinthe
8. Pissing on the Score
9. The Day We’ll Be Gone
10. Embrace the Oblivion
11. Veleno