In February of 2008 Hour of Penance tore me a new arse hole. The Vile Conception was as high-a-quality-a-slab of Brutal Death Metal as 2008 had to offer. The infatuation with their Hyper Brutal Blasting yet derivative Hate Eternal/Behemoth/Nile-isms wasn't immediate. However, 5/6 listens in you realised that, fucking hell, this trounces all recent efforts by their influences and you stop noticing...Read More

Fleshgod Apocalypse's shtick is combining death metal and classical music. Classical music in metal goes all the way back to Richie Blackmore. However, metal bands usually lack formal training. They often merely tread harmonic minor water, while throwing in some diminished arpeggios. So many bands play classical-sounding licks without "getting" classical's complexity and colors. These...Read More

"FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE play death metal with a 'classical" approach;' inspired by CANNIBAL CORPSE and SUFFOCATION, and influenced by J.S. Bach and L. Van Beethoven," reads the Willowtip press release regarding "Oracles"; the Rome, Italy band's debut for the label. Sound far-fetched? It's really not, although "Oracles" is not some over-the-top symphonic death metal...Read More

An undeniable bond exists between classical music and certain types of metal. Players spend years developing their craft and displays of musical virtuosity are often expected rather than appreciated. Songs often flow from segment to segment in ways more akin to movements in a symphony than a verse/chorus pop progression. For some reason, every Christmas old people flock to hear members of Savatage...Read More

If there’s any justice in this world, Oracles will contend for a Top 10 spot on many a critic’s best of ’09 list when the time comes. Fusing the finest moments of the Vital Remains and Behemoth catalogue but also benefiting from impressive song-writing in its own right, Italy’s Flesghgod Apocalypse has written and documented what is without a doubt its defining statement...Read More

During my initial run-through of Fleshgod Apocalypse’s debut long-player, I wasn’t too impressed. After repeated, close listens, I can confidently admit that Oracles is a good yet second-rate example of technical death metal. Sure, this uber-talented band can play—fast—but the only songs that truly engage me are the latter few. Still, while as a whole this album...Read More

Holy hell. 2008 saw tech death metal explode with the likes of Origin, Decrepit Birth, Brain Drill, Trigger the Bloodshed, Severed Savior, Psycroptic and such; a year hard to top right? Well, 2009 already has seen brilliant releases from Obscura and Ulcerate as well as solid releases from Inevitable End, Gory Blister, Trigger the Bloodshed and this fantastic debut album from Italy’s...Read More