Album Review: Fleshgod Apocalypse-Agony

Fleshgod Apocalypse was easily the best band I discovered in 2010. I got really into their stuff due to their mix of death metal and classical. It was an extremely original and fascinating approach to extreme metal. Their latest full-length, Agony, is their most ambitious and best release to date.

Agony takes the Fleshgod Apocalypse formula from the previous records and makes it better. The symphonic/classical elements are turned way up on this record. What really amazes about Fleshgod's symphonic elements is that they only have one piano player. The fact they are able to have such a massive sound from just one piano is incredible (there are a few songs with violins and other instruments, but for the most part it's just him.) The symphonic elements on this record give it a gigantic, epic vibe. It feels like you are going into a battle during every song on this record. Tracks like "The Oppression" and "The Betrayal" would fit perfectly in the end battle scenes of any Lord Of The Rings film. Each and every track is on such a grand scale that it's mesmerising to listen to. Besides this being the most symphonic and epic-sounding Fleshgod Apocalypse record to date, it's also the heaviest. This album has to be one of the heaviest record I've heard all year. Vocalist Tomasso Ricardi has never sounded more evil than on Agony. He becomes a better vocalist record after record and continues to push himself forward as a vocalist. As usual, the guitars are heavy as hell, the guitar solos are technical, and the drums break the speed of light. I am still convinced their drummer has more than two arms, his speed is beyond impressive.

Agony is Fleshgod Apocalypse 2.0. The symphonic elements are a lot more prevalent and the music as a whole is on steroids. Absoultely everything about this album has improved from their previous records. This is one of the most monumental sounding records I've heard in quite some time, the arrangements are that strong. The only weakness on this record is that the clean vocals can get a bit annoying, but I can overlook it because they do fit the classical-end of the music quite well. Agony is the finest Fleshgod Apocalypse album to date and at the moment, it's sitting in my top 5 albums of the year.

4.5/5 Stars
Standout Tracks
1.The Opression
2.The Betrayal
3.The Egoism