I was fortunate enough to hit up the 2011 edition of HEAVY T.O. and even purchased the tickets before the band were announced. For some reason, I had a feeling it was going to be a good year :-)
Now, for these articles, I usually throw around some opinions and constructive criticisms. I'm going to keep all feelings aside and just report on some need to know facts about these bands to make your experience at the festival a little more enjoyable. If you know of someone going to the festival, pass the articles along and get them just as stoked as we are! For today, I give you Fleshgod Apocalypse!
Tommaso Riccardi: Vocals & Guitars | Paolo Rossi: Vocals & Bass | Cristiano Trionfera: Vocals & Guitars | Francesco Paoli: Drums, Guitars & Vocals | Francesco Ferrini: Piano, Orchestra
Italy's brutal/symphonic horde, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, have returned with their definitive epic masterpiece Agony. With only two releases under their belts, Oracles (2009) and the Mafia EP (2010), FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE have already become one of the most talked about bands in the underground. Their unique blend of technical death metal with a symphonic elements have quickly made them a favorite with fans and critics alike. Now, after a slew of successful tours in Europe and the US, the band have unleashed their defining moment in the form of Agony!
FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE was born in April of 2007 when they released a two track demo entitled Promo 07, which was later released as part of the 4-way split called Da Vinci Death Code. In early 2008 the band started to perform live in the Italian and European underground scene supporting bands like BEHEMOTH, ORIGIN, DYING FETUS, HATE ETERNAL, SUFFOCATION, NAPALM DEATH and many more.
In May, 2008, the band entered 16th Cellar Studio again to record its first full-length album, Oracles. In December that same year the band decided to part ways with Neurotic Records and inked a deal with Willowtip Records. Oracles was released in April 2009 and the band started an intense show schedule all over Europe. First touring in support of GOD DETHRONED in the Balkans, then with VADER and MARDUK on the “Funeral Nation” tour, then finally they covered the UK and EIRE territories with their first headlining tour.
The Mafia EP was recorded, mixed and mastered again at 16th Cellar Studio in January 2010 and released by Willowtip Records. The release marked a big step forward for the band in every way. Right after the end of the recording session the band embarked on another European tour supporting SUFFOCATION followed by a headlining tour of Russia.
After some Festivals and gigs in the summertime, the band flew overseas for their first tour of the US/Canada dubbed the Decibel Defiance Tour 2010. The tour took place in October/November 2010 with SUFFOCATION, THE FACELESS, THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD and DECREPIT BIRTH. Before the end of the year the band played several more gigs in Europe. 2011 opened with the Bonecrusher Fest, a European tour with DYING FETUS, KEEP OF KALESSIN, CARNIFEX, ANNOTATIONS OF AN AUTOPSY and ANGELUS APATRIDA.
In November of 2010, the band signed a worldwide deal with Extreme Management Group, Inc. and began writing their second full length album. In May of 2011 the band signed a worldwide deal with Nuclear Blast Records and began wrapping up work on this album. During this time Francesco Ferrini, the pianist and orchestrator who has worked with the band from the beginning, joined FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE as full-time member. This enabled them to have even more grand symphonic arrangements on Agony, taking the bands signature sound to new euphoric heights.
(The Violation)
Agony hones in on the bands unique traits giving fans everything they could hope for and more. Marco Hasmann once again crafts an intricate depiction of the bands concept with his cover art. As always, the mix and mastering work of Stefano “Saul” Morabito from 16th Cellar Studios is so superb that you can expect to hear his name quite a bit more in the future. Make no mistake, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE are soon to be one of the leading forces in the extreme metal scene!
For some more links to follow up on, check out the other FGA sites:
- Official Site
- YouTube
- Myspace
Their latest release, "Agony", which was released on August 9th, 2011 (via Nuclear Blast) has scored some great reviews in the online world. Check out a few of the thoughts and comments from reviews below:
1. Temptation
2. The Hypocrisy
3. The Imposition
4. The Deceit
5. The Violation
6. The Egoism
7. The Betrayal
8. The Forsaking
9. The Oppression
10. Agony
11. Heartwork (iTunes bonus Carcass cover)
***
"This is where Trionfera's quote and unofficial summary of the article comes into play: “You get someone that likes it and then someone that doesn't.” As well-played as Agony is, and as much as Fleshgod Apocalapse have improved as songwriters, the album itself cannot escape the fact that it is just another hybrid-mutant symphonic death metal circus. So while, yes, your typical cave-lurking Incantation-til-death metalhead will, as predicted, hate Agony, those that can stomach it will find a lot to love here. Instrumentally, the guitars and especially the drumming of Paoli are all top-notch, and while the symphonics are a wank-fest for Dimmu fans everywhere, the songwriting behind them and their fit into the music's flow is impressive. You won't do better, as far as symphonic death metal goes, then Agony, or The Great Mass too for that matter, but for its strengths, Agony easily gives the latter a run for its money. The Italians deserve a hand here - a job well done." -Sputnik Music
***
"The only issue throughout is the clear vocals—at times the wild cries on many of the songs sound strained beyond their reach, and tech-death fans may find it hard to swallow the operatic vibrato on “The Egoism”—but even these hearken back to ICS Vortex-era Dimmu Borgir in a way that will charm many listeners. Overall, the album is far more engaging and fierce than almost anything to come out of the underground this year, making the Fleshgod Apocalypse, and Italy’s metal scene, a force to be reckoned with. Ah, sweet Agony." -Revolver Magazine
"What it all boils down to is if you stripped away the orchestral touches a) this band would still be a force to be reckoned with and b) the songs on Agony would still be very good. That is the ultimate testament to the album. The closing title track is a touching and depressive piano piece played by Ferinni. The somber notes ticking away the seconds and marking off time until the entire grand piece comes to a close." -Metal Army
***
"Regardless of the minor quirk with the clean vocals and ponderings of how authentic this material could sound live, Agony is a blisteringly intense, over-the-top death metal studio album that is successful in pushing the envelope to a higher, more colourful place in death metal. Perhaps the symphonic elements and clean vocals will be too much for die-hard death metal fans to endure, but for the majority Agony is the next step of progression that Fleshgod Apocalypse were always leaning towards with their classical influence in the first place. Any way you look at it, Agony is a fiery assault that you'd have to work hard to not enjoy." -Metal Storm
***
"Despite these negative comments, I still don’t find Agony to be a bad record per se. Some of the tracks, such as the aforementioned single 'The Violation' are very fun to listen to. 'The Egoism' is probably my favorite track here. The orchestra and classical elements are put to tremendous use on this piece, with the opera singer adding weight to the whole affair. 'The Oppression' is another success, combining musical tension with an all-out barrage of blasts and tremolo-picked guitars. These are the album’s highlights in my opinion.
The rest of Agony is also passable. It’s fast, brutal and energetic, but I find I get lost in the tracks a little too much. The drumming is slightly redundant, with many blast beats which sometimes overshadows the rest of the instruments.
While I for one am disappointed, this record is not a complete waste of time. Many fans will surely enjoy it but I believe many will miss their more direct approach." -The New Review
***
Fleshgod Apocalypse will also (along with Origin and Rose Funeral) be taking part in Kataklysm's "Iron Will Tour 2012"
With Origin, Fleshgod Apocalypse and Rose Funeral:
08/11 Montreal, QC – Heavy MTL
08/12 Toronto, ON – Heavy TO
08/13 Detroit, MI – Blondie’s
With Origin, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Rose Funeral and Diabholico:
08/17 Regina, SK – The Exchange
08/18 Calgary, AB – The Distillery
08/19 Kelowna, BC – Sapphire Night Club
08/20 Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre
08/21 Prince George, BC – The Generator
08/22 Edmonton, AB – Pawn Shop
08/23 Brandon, MB – North Hill Inn
08/24 Winnipeg, MB – Park Theatre
With Origin, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Vital Remains and Rose Funeral:
08/25 St. Paul, MN – Station 4
08/26 Chicago, IL – Reggie’s Rock Club
With Fleshgod Apocalypse, Vital Remains and Rose Funeral:
08/27 Cleveland, OH – Peabody’s
08/31 Springfield, VA – Jaxx
09/02 Tampa, FL – The Orpheum
09/04 Houston, TX – Numbers Night Club
09/05 Dallas, TX – Trees
*FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE WILL BE PERFORMING ON SUNDAY (THE 12TH) AT THE JAGERMEISTER EAST STAGE FROM 12:30-13:00*
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