Album Review: Fleshgod Apocalypse – Opera (Nuclear Blast)

Italian symphonic death metal maestros Fleshgod Apocalypse are back with their fifth and brand-new album titled ‘Opera’. It will be released on September 23rd, 2024, via Nuclear Blast.

Big, very big symphonic sounds blended with intense death metal, which might sound like familiar Fleshgod Apocalypse, until you remember that innovation is a major part of this band. Innovation and creativity, resulting in a brand-new album that stands tall amongst the band’s immense back catalogue.

The word that comes to mind as the opulent intro of Ode to Art (De’ Sepolcri) leads into I Can Never Die is ‘epic’. Although any variation on a word that sums up the feelings of grandeur this opening segment delivers will work. This is Fleshgod Apocalypse at their most extravagant sounding with classy production to make every note soar and no short amount of death-infused heavy brutality to leave you seeing stars.

It’s such a great start and such a high level of form that the band are on, something that continues onwards into the guts of the album. Firstly, with the crashing and smashing percussion-heavy dramatics of Pendulum. Secondly, with the savage intensity of Bloodclock, a track that moves at a manic pace and when it finally breaks, melodically, sounds so majestic. It has one of the album’s best endings too. Thirdly, with the substantial sound of a cinematic symphony combined with devilishly dark metal that explodes from within At War with My Soul. This track signalling the halfway point of the album.

The first half flies by but there’s no time to catch the breath as things get a bit excitably experimental with Morphine Waltz. The sound of Fleshgod Apocalypse at their most insane sounding and fully encapsulating the feel of schizophrenic mania. Then along comes the accessible anthem Matricide 8. 21 to change the formula surprisingly. Don’t be fooled, it’s still heavy and wild as far as the blend of orchestral richness and metal goes, it has just got a lighter tread and more catchy elements.

It’s back to a crunchier and darker feel with another impressive example of speed and wildness via Per Aspera Ad Astra. The vocal combinations here are truly special and while the latter section doesn’t quite hold as many thrills as the former, it’s still another epic listen.

Before the penultimate track, Till Death Do Us Part, showcases another level of melodic dramatics that only Fleshgod Apocalypse could have in their arsenal. It has an outro feel to it, but it’s not finale, that’s the title track and it’s a big piano-driven number that lives up to the epic word once again. Alas, this combined with the penultimate track does mean the lack of oomph to album’s end is notable. It’s disappointing to not have something with a bit more bite.

Does that affect the album’s overall standing? A little, but what came before is so damn strong, it’s forgivable. Fleshgod Apocalypse have delivered another giant of a release that emphatically declares that they are the bar setters for symphonic death metal once again.

Fleshgod Apocalypse – Opera Track Listing:

1. Ode to Art (De’ Sepolcri)
2. I Can Never Die
3. Pendulum
4. Bloodclock
5. At War with My Soul
6. Morphine Waltz
7. Matricide 8. 21
8. Per Aspera Ad Astra
9. Till Death Do Us Part
10. Opera

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