Customer Reviews

Agony

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Agony" by Fleshgod Apocalypse is THE GREATEST symphonic death metal album of all time. Now I'm sure a lot of Septic Flesh fans will issue with that, since Septic Flesh is usually the first band on people's minds when they hear "symphonic death metal." Fleshgod Apocalypse have a more straight-forward pummeling death metal style with enough technicality thrown in to keep things interesting but not too breathless or pretentious. Septic Flesh is a bit more artistic and goth-influenced, and while they have their moments, I prefer FA's relentlessness and energy.

The element that separates "Agony" from all the other symphonic death metal releases that have come before is that the symphony orchestra is playing THE ENTIRE TIME. The orchestra is as prominent as the guitars, and could even be considered part of the band. If the two were separated, the death metal would be decent, but not revolutionary, and the symphony would be epic and sweeping but wouldn't stand out. However, blend the two together, and you will drop to your knees in awe. Swooping crescendos, Roto-tiller riffing, piano notes crashing down like hammers, machine gun drumbeats...it's all here. And even though it's death metal savagery through and through, there are changes in tone and drama to keep things fresh. For example, "The Forsaking" spoons some black metal syrup onto an epic doom masterpiece that will break your heart.

I did find the clean vocals to be a bit strained and screechy, but they only make a handful of appearances, so it's easily overlooked. I'm a fan of all things extreme metal but this album makes most of what I've been listening to before sound wispy and pale. This is simply miraculous.

You seriously need to get this album if you like any kind of death metal; it is intense, diverse and beautiful.

With speed that rivals Origin, and very thought out parts for the orchestra and guitars, this album is just top notch.

This is probably one of my favorite albums now, and I'm usually very picky when it comes to death metal.

If you aren't convinced, just go to youtube and watch their latest video, "The Violation", and do yourself a favor and listen to it in HD and with nice speakers, it's completely worth it.

Out of all the Death Metal I have listen to F.G.A. is one of the best that's for sure! They are up there with Nile, Behemoth, and Blood Red Throne. Which in my opinion are the top notch bands of the genre. Everything is this album is amazing from the drums (Of course I'd mention this first.) to the guitar playing, to the intense growling vocals. I really like how on the first few tracks they had classical musical playing in the background; it really shows that they are mixing more with classical and Death metal. I think they did that on this album to show people, that's what they want to do. They've been pushing in the past two album but this one they actually had the music playing in the background. The cool part is when the classical music stops in the background, after the first few tracks, they are still playing like that with their instruments. These guys are amazing. Anyone who loves Death Metal needs to get into Flesh God. A well deserved 5 out of 5 stars!

Wow. This may be the greatest thing I've ever heard. This album is skyrocketing into my top 5 of all time, and it's only been a week. It's that good. Flawless execution and integration of classical with death metal. Both sides are played to perfection and meld perfectly. Every time I listen to it, it just keeps getting better. Each musician is clearly at the top of their game. These guys are touring with Decapitated soon, and even though I feel they should be the headliners, I'm still happy as heck that I'll get to see them live.

This album is my first experience with Italy's Fleshgod Apocalypse. I bought this CD simply on the reviews people had given the band, and they were not misdirecting at all. Fleshgod Apocalypse's "Agony" absolutely blisters the ears. It's Symphonic-Blackened-Death metal yes, however, it's done so eloquently and at such an assaultive pace that they really set themselves apart from the other bands performing a similar style. I love Septic Flesh, and Dimmu Borigir. But Fleshgod Apocalypse is on a whole other level. They're frenetic pace combined with soaring orchestral music flowing steadily throughout the music gives a fresh sound and unique look on a style of music that some folks may have considered 'done already'. I cannot pick a favorite song on Agony because they're all VERY good. They have such an amazing sound. The only maybe slight I have is in production and there is some minor 'clipping' on a song or two but it's dismissive really. Considering what is going on musically any detraction from that is really negligible. Fleshgod Apocalypse is on some whole other level with their music, and I highly recommend buying this album!!!! Beautiful, brutal, and powerful metal.

I haven't listened to an album in its entirety this many times in a row since I was 15 and Master Of Puppets was the only cd I owned. Every track flows into the next to the point where the album is one song.

I go back and lsten to Oracles with a new appreciation as it almost tells you what's coming next - Agony.

Thinking about this album and what this band has done with this release, sends chills down my spine. You will never hear music like this until the copy-cats start cropping up. This album fuses emotional and complex orchestral rhythms with blistering, dense, and aggressive guitar and drum work to create something that has never been created before. Similarly impressive is how memorable the song-writing here truly is. Most blistering death metal can seem mindless or technical with no substance, but that is hardly the case with this album. This album defines what makes music so great! It is fresh, inspired, catchy, and emotional and played at an inhuman speed. What truly amazes me is just how prominent but important the orchestral section of the album actually is. The song structures are clearly written as a whole work, with no one component being less or more important than another. Some bands use orchestras in their music for interludes or to accent a certain part of a song; The orchestra in this album is an integral component of every song throughout every moment of this album - it is entirely part of the music. And, then there is also singing on this CD, and it is actually quite good. The singing adds another layer to all this. You will not hear anything like this CD in current existence.

I am still in disbelief that this CD blows away their last release, which [in and of itself] was incredible. This album has catapulted Fleshgod to the level of bands such as "Nile" (and maybe beyond). If I were to define this new genre that Fleshgod has created, I would describe it as "Symphonic Technical Death Metal". Fans of Black Metal and Death Metal alike will equally enjoy this release as it incorporates elements of both styles. Honestly, I don't see how anyone wouldn't love this CD. Of course, to the trained death metal ear it can be digested, dissected, and appreciated. Perhaps the mainstream would experience aural overload? But, for fans of metal and especially extreme genres of metal, this will completely floor you. This is easily the top metal release of the year and in my top 5 releases of all-time in this entire genre. What the heck will this band do next? How can they top this? I can't wait to find out! \m/

Somehow I stumbled across this band yesterday, I can't even remember how. They blew my wig back so far I'll need a time machine to go back and find it. These guys make Dimmu Borgir's "Abrahadabra" sound like sweaty old queef from your 90 year old Granny.

Fleshgod Apocalypse is the future of Symphonic Death Metal. The drumming alone will drop your jaw so far, you'll get road rash on your chin when you walk. I thought Divine Heresy had a wicked drummer. An amateur compared to Francesco Paoli.

The blend of technical death metal and symphonic orchestration is incredible. It sounds perfect. The clean vocs (as another reviewer mentioned) are a bit screechy, but can be greatly overlooked by the amazing music.

I cannot say enough about how great Fleshgod Apocalypse is. If you discover their greatness, then you should also check out another band: Brymir. A very similar sound, great symphonic elements, together, you'll forget all about Septic Flesh and Dimmu Borgir.

Elements of brutal death metal, such as crushing riffs, pounding drums and growls, meld with soaring symphonic melodies and precision technicality to create one of the most satisfying albums of the year! With incredible musicianship..from ultra-fast drum beats that absolutely never stop, to symphonic structures that rival that of movie score composers, Fleshgod Apocalypse provide a listening experience few bands can produce.

I can't say anything that hasn't already been said. After their last two releases I was certainly anxious and have not been met with anything even close to disappointment. This album goes so hard it could make Martians head bang all the way from Earth, lol. Another reviewer stated the dislike of the excessive keyboards and said it sounded like two kinds of songs playing at once all the time. I personally disagree. I make music myself and I have to have a good ear for multiple melodies playing simultaneously. I'm not hearing what he heard and honestly the new fusion of symphonic elements is nothing short of grand.

THIS ALBUM IS WORTH EVERY RED CENT!