Artist: SEPTICFLESH
Album: COMMUNION (CD)

Release date: 2008
EAN/UPS: 0822603917420
Media type: CD

Restless, brutal, larger than life, in-your-face, transcendent, epic, bombastic, mystic... but flawed. It's the same thing as with many other modern symphonic metal albums: electrifying, sharp sounds but way more style than contents. This album's potential is restricted by some overly simple progression decisions in the songwriting department. For example "Babel's Gate" seems like an excellent song during the first half, especially with the strange rhythmed part in the middle, but it doesn't get anywhere and instead opts to repeat itself again during the latter half. Some of the songs remain clearly weaker than others because of stuff like this. What this album has on its side are the unusual, cool lyrics which consist of strange religious ideas and atmospheric stories. Choirs and ambient parts also enhance the precious mystic edge this album has.

Sound-wise things sound impressive. Everything is clear and powerful. The vocals are processed in some strange way which makes them sound very brutal. They get your attention when they're on. Reminds me of newer Behemoth's vocal work. Heavy use of symphony complements the sound. Sometimes things calm down and the music reminds commercial rock. These parts too have their place inside the album - they create dynamic differences between the rough and the calm, though even this kind of differentiation won't save the album from what it lacks the most: consistency. Arguably substance, depends on how you look at it.

This album is recommended for fans of Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir's newer stuff.

TRACKLIST:

1 Lovecraft's Death 4:08
2 Anubis 4:18
3 Communion 3:25
4 Babel's Gate 2:58
5 We the Gods 3:50
6 Sunlight Moonlight 4:09
7 Persepolis 6:09
8 Sangreal 5:17
9 Narcissus 3:59

LINE-UP:

Sotiris Vayenas - guitar (1990-2003/2007-)
Spiros "Seth" Antoniou - vocals, bass (1990-2003/2007-)
Christos Antoniou - guitars, samplers (1990-2003/2007-)
Fotis Benardo - drums (2003/2007-)
Babis "Bob" Katsionis - keyboards (2003)
Alex Haritakis - guitars (2003)