ALBUM REVIEW: Modern Primitive – SepticFlesh

May 19, 2022 Pavel Kondov

The orchestra and metal can be odd bedfellows. More often than not, symphonic orchestrations in heavy music fall between the bland and the cheesy. One band that definitely does it right, however, are the Greek purveyors of dark metal SEPTICFLESH. They return after a five-year absence with Modern Primitive to once again weave their unique kind of orchestrated brutality.

The Collector is a statement opener, showcasing all signature elements of the band – combining bulldozing groove and death metal with thunderous orchestrations and serpentine melodies inspired by traditional Greek folk music. The following duo of Hierophant and Self Eater shows off SEPTICFLESH at their least and most effective. The former is largely built on one riff which has the guitars and orchestra blasting the same power chord every other measure, resulting in an uncharacteristically monotonous, plodding affair. The latter unfolds in multiple dynamic sections, from a nefarious-sounding orchestra intro, through a verse led by low string instruments, and a grandiose chorus, with the whole song occasionally coming to short lulls for a dramatic choral section. Altogether it makes for a thrilling epic that shows off the band at their multi-layered best.

No SEPTICFLESH album would be complete without the trademark dual vocal attack of bassist Seth Siro Anton and guitarist/keyboardist Sotiris Anunnaki V. Anton remains one of the most accomplished growlers in death metal, his guttural barks sounding like they come from the depths of hell. Anunnaki V always feels underutilised considering how distinctive his clean vocal delivery is. On Modern Primitive he delivers beautifully intricate vocal harmonies – which can be described as how ALICE IN CHAINS would sing if they had studied Middle Eastern music – that elevate every song that they feature in. The lyrics sung by the duo explore themes from ancient history, with one eye towards situating them in the modern world, ruminating on the cyclical nature of history.

Behind the mixing desk is famous producer Jens Bogren (DIMMU BORGIR, KATATONIA, ARCH ENEMY), and as we have come to expect from SEPTICFLESH the record sounds like everything you would want from a modern metal album. The guitars are sharp, the drums resonate with depth. Amid all this heaviness, the orchestra and folk instruments cut through beautifully. It is only in the aforementioned monotonous moments where the guitars and orchestra occupy much the same space, that the booming onslaught can get a little bit difficult on the ears.

SEPTICFLESH are often described as cinematic, and no song displays that better than Coming Storm, their best accomplishment on Modern Primitive. Appropriately named, it would make a worthy backdrop for a film depicting the moments before the end of the world. The orchestra is fully utilised here, bringing the chthonic scene to life and somehow always finding a way to up the tension. The brilliant orchestrations from lead guitarist Christos Antoniou are used extensively, but almost always in a way that brings a new dimension to the music. Closing song A Dreadful Muse rounds things off with another epic demonstration of this, even if it is slightly let down by its abrupt finish which does not give the record the considered ending it deserves.

If Modern Primitive falls a little short, it is only in the context of how high SEPTICFLESH have set the bar for themselves previously. The new album closely follows the blueprint that they have been working under since their celebrated return with 2008’s Communion. Because of this familiarity, certain moments of the record can trigger a form of audio déjà vu in the first few listens. Admittedly, the Greeks are in a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don’t situation. Should they seek to reinvent and as a result dilute some of the elements that make them unique? Or should they double down and be accused of ‘doing an AC/DC’? It is only their track record as innovative songwriters that hints that they would somehow be capable of squaring that circle.

The above notwithstanding, SEPTICFLESH have crafted another very good album. With moments of chaos and beauty, frenzy and calm, Modern Primitive rewards repeated listens and boasts some of the most expertly executed usage of the symphonic orchestra in their career, and in extreme music as a whole.

Rating: 8/10