Album Review: Fleshgod Apocalypse - King

Although managing to fuse the worlds of Morbid Angel and Carcass with Hans Zimmer and Mozart like they belonged together, it took until predecessor Labyrinth for these dapper Italians to truly find their groove.

The result was an all-encompassing barrage of symphonic death metal that assumed even greater resonance live. That enhanced confidence has further translated to this LP, whereby guitars, drums, bass and even grunts assume punishing, yet oddly cohesive roles within an orchestral framework. Pulverising, hooky Gravity and Healing Through War bruise; operatic vocal showcase Paramour... adds additional depth. To utilise a hackneyed, but ultimately fitting descriptor — brutal.