ALBUM REVIEW: Nucleus – Deeds of Flesh

Widely regarded as death metal pioneers amongst scene peers and listeners with a filthy penchant for music which marries neck-snapping ferocity and technical finesse, DEEDS OF FLESH’s twenty-five year journey would come to a devastating halt in 2018 following the tragic passing of vocalist/guitarist and Unique Leader Records founder Erik Lindmark.

Band talisman and underground trailblazer, his untimely death would leave an inevitable void but in a bittersweet turn of events, it would subsequently push ex-vocalist and co-founder Jacoby Kingston out of retirement, to not only help remaining members Craig Peters, Ivan Munguia and Darren Cesca bring an ongoing project to fruition, but to honour and celebrate Erik’s legacy at the same time.

With unmistakable nods to the voracious battery of that old-school DEEDS OF FLESH style and the kind of instrumental extravagance that remains bewilderingly complex, ninth studio album Nucleus serves as the lyrical conclusion of what began with 2008’s Of What’s to Come and reached its creative peak via previous release-cum-masterpiece Portals to Canaan.

Suitably shrouded in a futuristic, sci-fi aura, opener Odyssey’s ominous voiceover issues an apocalyptic warning – there’s deadly viruses, aliens, the whole shebang – of suitably cinematic proportions before punishing lead single Alyen Scourge explodes and a seething plethora of cranium-rattling blastbeats, blistering drums and frenzied arpeggios are duly unleashed at light speed. Dark and dizzying, there’s already a murderous energy at play here as the band dynamically evolve into a twisted soundscape; those whirlwind riffs and authoritative screams landing a powerful gut-punch and we’re only two tracks in. And as Nucleus continues to open up and present its otherworldly offerings, DEEDS OF FLESH just continue to impress – with a little help from their friends.

Tumultuous noisemaker Ascension Vortex ushers in the first taste of a next-level assortment of synapse-altering thrills courtesy of a slew of prolific guest musicians including George ‘Corpsegrinder’ Fisher [CANNIBAL CORPSE], Frank Mullen [SUFFOCATION] and Luc Lemay [GORGUTS] to name but a few. Jackhammer rhythms and dual death metal growls collide on monolithic stomper Ethereal Ancestors to get the balance between clinical dexterity and good old fashioned vocal conviction spot on. Meanwhile, the title track’s delivery is more oppressive, introduced via some suitably nerve-jangling metallic clanging, as the sphincter-loosening gurgles of DYING FETUS’ John Gallagher cuts through five frantic minutes, whilst Races Conjoined comes flying out of the gate at 100mph through a barrage of bulldozing guitars, bursts of noodling and vicious gutturals, with both Matti Way and John Zig getting a turn over the track’s duration, ensuring the adrenaline never wanes in the latter stages of the record.

A 41-minute rollercoaster of visceral intensity, in Nucleus, DEEDS OF FLESH have crafted a fitting tribute to their fallen brother and ended a seven-year hiatus by returning to career-defining form.

Rating: 8/10

Nucleus is set for release on December 11th (vinyl release January 15th) via Unique Leader Records. 

Like DEEDS OF FLESH on Facebook.