Septic Flesh - 12 Jun 2011 (Avlea, CY)

While enjoying the sun and my holidays in Cyprus, I stumbled upon the news that Greek symphonic death metalers Septic Flesh were about to do a gig in the island. Needless to say after the masterpiece that they released in April entitled The Great Mass, I just rushed to the concert to get a closer look at what the band can do live. All I can say is: mind blowing! I've seen quite a few gigs in Cyprus, and some, of really big and established bands, but I've never witnessed something like this in the island. Let me say, at this point, that there is a very important and distinct difference between gigs in Cyprus and the UK mainly due to the venues. In the UK you find venues which are more or less designed to host metal gigs while in Cyprus you just don't. Nevertheless Septic Flesh managed to take one of those "un-metal" venues and turn it into a metal lair of atmospheric awesomeness and moshpits. When it comes down to being atmospheric any band in the world can learn something from Septic Flesh. The way they combine their sounds creates such a creepy, macabre atmosphere that brings chills down your spine. The band performed tracks from their new album The Great Mass along with tracks from their previous works (Communion, Sumerian Daemons etc.) such as Virtues of the Beast, Anubis, Communion, and Persepolis. Spiros "Seth" Antoniou(Vocals/Bass) seemed to really have a great time on stage connecting with all the, approximately 250, crazy Cypriot metalers, who joined him on every single song, creating a warm and familiar atmosphere that you only get in underground gigs down in the dark and lonely parts of London. Fotis Benardo(Drums) proved to all that he is a serious contestant to George Kollias title of "best Greek heavy metal drummer" and despite some sound issues with his snare drum in the beginning of the set and some problems with the backing track device during A Great Mass of Death he managed to hold on and took the track "back home" perfectly. Now, Fotis also informed us that there is a possibility for gigs in the UK! ATTENTION UK PROMOTERS! If you manage to fuck up the Septic Flesh gig like you usually do with gigs (not all of them fuck up gigs, but I've witnessed some really bad promoters) I will personally hunt you down! Septic Flesh gigs are an atmospheric explosion of brutality, macabre and epicness. DO NOT miss them!

Septic Flesh: 18/20

Sound: 3/5

Ambience: 5/5

Presentation: 5/5 

Performance: 5/5

Posted by Nick

The Great Mass - Septic Flesh (2011)

ALBUM REVIEW
It's been three long years for the fans of symphonic death metal since the release of the last Septic Flesh album Communion. This time the Greek metalers are coming back on the front of the stage with an amazing album entitled The Great Mass. With the participation of the Filmharmonic Orchestra of Prague this album takes a huge step on to becoming a masterpiece. This is probably the most easy-listening death metal album I've heard in a while since the songs blend together so nicely that you don't actually have time to even get bored or even think of looking at what number track is playing. Most of the tracks are an explosion of heavy epicness combined with a nice macabre atmosphere just like you would expect from Septic Flesh. The full artwork(see below) for the album is absolutely amazing while the vocals alternations between Sotiris Vayenas(Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards) and Spiros “Seth” Antoniou(Vocals, Bass) are just mind blowing and exhilarating in a mean heavy fucking metal way! Overall an excellent album and I believe it was worth the three years wait!
For our favourite track we are hesitating between two so what the heck, we'll write something about both of them. The first track to stick to our head is Pyramid God. This song reminds somehow of Clint Mansell's Requiem for a Dream, but with a fucking loads of heavy guitars and growls! You get the idea. The whole song is just pure metal all the way with a very interesting middle-part that leads into a very "twisted" outro that is just loveable! The other song that really caught our attention is Therianthropy. What an amazing showcase of song writing and arranging talent! First of all before you listen to this song make sure that your neighbours will listen to it too and put the volume real high! The vocals of Seth and Sotiris are mixing so well that they really make the song feel like an overwhelming mix of heavy, melody and power!
The album is out NOW!

The Great Mass: 9.5/10

Posted by Nick