Fleshgod Apocalypse - Veleno
Key Facts
Country: 🇮🇹
Genre: Symphonic/Technical Death Metal
Release Date: 24th May 2019
Record Label(s): Nuclear Blast
Highest Chart Position: N/A
Band Members;
Francesco Paoli – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, drums, backing vocals, lead guitar
Paolo Rossi – bass, clean vocals
Francesco Ferrini – piano, string arrangements, orchestral effects
Fleshgod Apocalypse - Carnivorous Lamb
Review
Rating (out of 5🤘): 🤘🤘🤘🤘.5
Favourite Track(s): Fury, Monnalisa, Worship & Forget, Absinthe, Embrace The Oblivion, Reise Reise (Rammstein Cover)
Italian has long been associated as the language of music, with great classical composers like; Vivaldi, Rossini, Puccini, Scarlatti, Corelli amongst a whole plethora of others. I've also often heard that classical music can be classed as "Metal without the amplifiers", so when the worlds of classical and metal are combined in unison, if done correctly have a devastating and mind-blowing effect. Fleshgod Apocalypse have been leaders in the Symphonic Death Metal genre, and with Veleno they remain at the top table at the orchestral metal banquet. Offering up brutally sophisticated compositions that are sure to satisfy your inner gentleman metalhead's needs. Veleno will have you moshing round the ballroom in no time.
Where to actually begin musically? This cacophony of symphony and riffs is a spectacle that has to be admired and respected. The composition and arrangements in this album are phenomenal, and something I could only dream of doing. From soaring highs descending into crushing, doom filled lows this album is a musical rollercoaster with all the graces of an opera. Fleshgod build everything up and pay it off perfectly. One thing I definitely did not expect on this album was a cover of Rammstein's Reise Reise (from 2004's Reise Reise album), hearing a heavily orchestral version of this Rammstein classic was breathtaking and I feel the band have done the song justice. Each song seamlessly flows into one another, making Veleno an incredible suite that could soundtrack only the most epic of movies! The equal mix of metal and orchestral is to be admired with this album as it doesn't sound cheesy or tacky in the slightest, which can sometimes happen when bands use orchestral elements in their music. This is a testament to Ferrini's arrangement skills more than anything. One example of this would be the piano runs in Sugar, the way they glide over the ferocious metal rhythms of the guitar is awesome.
From a production perspective, this is beautiful to listen. Every element is given the grand exaggeration that it deserves. The whole album sounds like it is worthy of the Royal Albert Hall in its grandness. I think had Queen Victoria been around she would be greatly amused by seeing something like this live. The bass tone on Worship & Forget stands out for me when it gets the brief solos, a distorted and chunky monster in-between the delicate strings give you a glimpse of the contrasts throughout this album that work so well together. The huge amount of space that has been filled by various elements doesn't feel crowded either, everything has a place in this highly professional mix. I always wonder how symphonic bands get produced because of the sheer amount of layers and instruments involved. I guess the challenge is too big for producers to resist and when it's done as good as Veleno, everyone will want to have a crack at it, myself included.
Overall, the album takes you on an epic, operatic adventure from start to finish and it is definitely putting itself as a strong contender for one of my albums of the year. With solid songwriting and compositional arrangement accompanied by some of the finest production, I've honestly been blown away by Veleno, even if it does make Dimmu Borgir look a bit soft (I love you Dimmu!). This album hits hard so check out Veleno now!
Where to actually begin musically? This cacophony of symphony and riffs is a spectacle that has to be admired and respected. The composition and arrangements in this album are phenomenal, and something I could only dream of doing. From soaring highs descending into crushing, doom filled lows this album is a musical rollercoaster with all the graces of an opera. Fleshgod build everything up and pay it off perfectly. One thing I definitely did not expect on this album was a cover of Rammstein's Reise Reise (from 2004's Reise Reise album), hearing a heavily orchestral version of this Rammstein classic was breathtaking and I feel the band have done the song justice. Each song seamlessly flows into one another, making Veleno an incredible suite that could soundtrack only the most epic of movies! The equal mix of metal and orchestral is to be admired with this album as it doesn't sound cheesy or tacky in the slightest, which can sometimes happen when bands use orchestral elements in their music. This is a testament to Ferrini's arrangement skills more than anything. One example of this would be the piano runs in Sugar, the way they glide over the ferocious metal rhythms of the guitar is awesome.
From a production perspective, this is beautiful to listen. Every element is given the grand exaggeration that it deserves. The whole album sounds like it is worthy of the Royal Albert Hall in its grandness. I think had Queen Victoria been around she would be greatly amused by seeing something like this live. The bass tone on Worship & Forget stands out for me when it gets the brief solos, a distorted and chunky monster in-between the delicate strings give you a glimpse of the contrasts throughout this album that work so well together. The huge amount of space that has been filled by various elements doesn't feel crowded either, everything has a place in this highly professional mix. I always wonder how symphonic bands get produced because of the sheer amount of layers and instruments involved. I guess the challenge is too big for producers to resist and when it's done as good as Veleno, everyone will want to have a crack at it, myself included.
Overall, the album takes you on an epic, operatic adventure from start to finish and it is definitely putting itself as a strong contender for one of my albums of the year. With solid songwriting and compositional arrangement accompanied by some of the finest production, I've honestly been blown away by Veleno, even if it does make Dimmu Borgir look a bit soft (I love you Dimmu!). This album hits hard so check out Veleno now!
Fleshgod Apocalypse - Veleno
Comments
Post a Comment