SepticFlesh: Symphony of Destruction

When thinking of the initial years of the wave of death metal that swept Europe, there are a selection of synonymous bands to draw upon. Of course, there is the entire Swedish scene, spearheaded by DISMEMBER, GRAVE and UNLEASHED. Then there’s UK heavyweights like BOLT THROWER and BENEDICTION, and ASPHYX and FLESHCRAWL on the mainland. It’s easy to forget, though, that down on the Aegean Sea, Greek symphonic death metallers SEPTICFLESH, led by composer and guitarist Christos Antoniou, have been conquering for just as long, releasing their initial recordings in the early ‘90s. 2020 sees the Greeks reach a huge milestone with their colossal live DVD, Infernus Sinfonica MMXIX, which sees the band accompanied by over 100 musicians from the Symphonic Experience Orchestra, the Enharmonía Vocalis Choir and the National University of Mexico Children’s and Youth Choir at Mexico City’s Metropolitan Theater in February of last year. With this milestone under SEPTICFLESH’s belt, there’s no better time to look back at their decade-spanning career. 

“Looking back, we have the first period of SEPTICFLESH that was mainly active in [building the] discography. But in order to build a band’s name, you have to tour – from the beginning of the band until the release of Communion we had only 60 shows, which is nothing. The first tour we did for Communion alone was 64 shows.” Antoniou reflects. “To me, SEPTICFLESH is a new band. We were not active [in touring] in that first period because I was studying classical music, my brother [Spiros Antoniou, bass/vocals] was studying finance, and if we hadn’t [committed to our studies] we wouldn’t have had the same results that we have now.” 

Across SEPTICFLESH’s 29 year history, the Antoniou brothers have released ten full length albums, creating a wealth of back catalogue for the Greeks to draw on when composing a setlist. However, given the monumental nature of the Infernus Sinfonica show, Christos knew where the band’s focus should lie when deciding what to play alongside 100 other musicians. 

“It was an easy decision. We had to perform songs that were ready [for the orchestra to play], although I made some new arrangements, I made some new orchestrations and added some new elements. But we had to have something practical, and a ‘best of’ of the last four SEPTICFLESH albums.” He explains. “The last four albums are the period that established the band, we didn’t want to go back. We don’t have any problems with our past… In the beginning, we were more of an extreme death metal band, not so symphonic as we are now… SEPTICFLESH is recognised as a symphonic death metal band from Communion onward. But it had to be practical, for example it was better to not play songs like Babel’s Gate from Communion because it was our first show [with an orchestra], there was a lot for us to focus on. But Infernus Sinfonica is the best of the second era of the band.” 

There’s a key word there that Antoniou says that is interesting. He says that the Infernus Sinfonica was the ‘first’ show with an orchestra, implying that we might see SEPTICFLESH return to the stage, post COVID, accompanied by orchestras and choir again. Could this be something we’d see a little closer to home for the band, here in Europe? 

“We are in talks with some promoters, but at the moment our priority is the new album. But hopefully we will have a second show like Infernus Sinfonica again here in Europe. But you never know, it could happen in America, or someone else! But we definitely want to repeat the experience of that Mexican show, for sure.” 

But before getting carried away with talks of a new album, or more shows that see the band joined by scores of classical musicians, it’s important to remember that for Christos Antoniou, a composer and one of the main creative driving force behind SEPTICFLESH, it must have been a deeply personal experience to finally be able to perform the band’s material in its purest form – no samples, no backing track for the orchestration, just the band riffing hard, backed by a 100 strong army of classical maestros. 

“This was a monumental moment for SEPTICFLESH; it was by far the best show that we’ve ever done. Playing this show was a dream come true, and it was always in our minds to perform alongside an orchestra. It was a privilege to have the opportunity to do this show with such an amazing orchestra… The show was unique, an experience that I cannot describe, it’s beyond words.” Antoniou explains with a palpable sense of emotional rawness about the experience. “Of course, I was nervous. I was so anxious about the night that I should have enjoyed it more.” 

You’d be hard pressed to find anyone in the heavy music seen who isn’t burning with a need to once again experience live music. And while watching a recorded show in your living room will never compare, it is undeniable that there is something very, very special about Infernus Sinfonica. This is SEPTICFLESH at their very best, as they are meant to be experienced in their purest form. The 3000 attendees of that headline show in Mexico are blessed indeed to have witnessed it first hand, and those who have the opportunity to catch the second round – be it on European soil, American, or further afield – would do well to not let it pass them by.

Infernus Sinfonica MMXIX is out now via Season of Mist. 

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