Septicflesh
Modern Primitive


3.3
great

Review

by Robert Garland STAFF
June 10th, 2022 | 18 replies


Release Date: 2022 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Modern>Primitive

It’s probably fair to point out just how crowded the metal genre has become as we move into the new decade. For all the genre’s creativity and efforts to push away from the norm, there’s a certain stagnation hitting most, if not all of the subgenres. Septicflesh themselves have always been one to push away from the grain. Since the early nineties this Greek-born act have been at the threshing of symphonic compositions and the more traditional death metal to which the genre has become known (giving loose precedence for acts like Fleshgod Apocalypse for example). Thinking more immediately however, Septicflesh’s Modern Primitive stands at a precipice of reclaiming a foothold on a genre and moving forwards.

Let me explain. Modern Primitive took five years to meet fruition. It’s a sizable gap, but not unheard of. What I’m trying to get across is the fact that Modern Primitive is hardly a flash in a pan, nor is it crippled by years of unending hype where both expectation and reality run parallel, never to meet. As such, Septicflesh’s latest export both reaffirms the group’s past and looks to the future. A broader hint to the music to come while keeping true to the soundscapes that launched them onto stardom. For Modern Primitive is unrestrainedly cinematic in nature, unabashed within their symphonic niche. “The Collector'' swiftly adjusts from foreboding acoustic climes, into a sauntering sonic devastation. Riffs launch with magnitude, symphonic melodies rounding out the song’s gruffer edges. “Hierophant” continues the album’s atmospheric trajectory. Bombastic chords swell as the group’s symphonic leanings call and respond like an ebbing tide. “Hierophant” stomps along, taking with it the main musical riff and motif throughout its duration whilst later tracks, such as “Coming Storm” truly takes a shape of its own. The track winds its way from section to section, moments of dizzying apprehension broken only by the enchanting siren hewn between the track’s more heavier moments. As always, the album’s symphonic element takes a larger atmospheric scope, ready to paint a picture with ethereal crescendos and bridges.

Even as the record progresses to its more resolute chapters, Modern Primitive begins to falter, even if so only slightly. “A Desert Throne” is too hook driven and rambling, somehow less interesting than the counterparts before it. Ideas also seem to peter out on the record’s title track, and the reliance (or over indulgence) in symphonic parts earmarks a record that would have benefitted from some lighter trimming or more inspirational musicianship. Be that as it may, the tendency to round out any idea that’s not symphonic with rhythmic chugging doesn’t do Septicflesh any favours this time around. Sure, we could argue the point that Modern Primitive loosely rehashes the same frames found in past records (namely that of Titan and Codex Omega before it), but with a five year gap in mind, Modern Primitive deserves a more rounded, successful conclusion.

Even as I play this over multiple times I can’t help but find the record’s middle chapters more appealing in every sense. Modern Primitive may well rehearse the same ground that came before it, but they also manage to run into a familiar lack of energy as the album begins to close. Yes, there’s some really great tracks to be found here, some of which are worth a mention in regards to the best Septicflesh have ever recorded. The rest? Well, there’s a middling feeling here that just can’t be dismissed. No doubt Septicflesh are masters of their symphonic craft, but they also need their time on the bench to reflect, rest and improve on the formula.




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user ratings (148)
3.6
great
other reviews of this album
Zac124 (4)
Septicflesh continues their streak of exceptional symphonic death metal....



Comments:Add a Comment 
Zac124
June 10th 2022


3075 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

As much I enjoyed this album, they definitely need to do something different next time. Coming Storm is incredible though.

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
June 10th 2022


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.3

I mean if you’re going to one trick pony your sound that pone better be a stallion

TheNotrap
Staff Reviewer
June 10th 2022


19009 Comments


You actually did it ;) I still haven't been able to listen to it properly yet it sounds weaker than Codex Omega, at least that was my first impression.

Voivod
Staff Reviewer
June 10th 2022


10915 Comments


Singles aside, haven’t listened to this in full, but based on the previous albums that followed The Great Mass, I can understand that 3.3 rating.

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
June 10th 2022


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.3

Yeah Fern, I really detest that flakey feeling. This year is already too much of a let down.

Observer
Emeritus
June 11th 2022


9420 Comments


Great Mass was fun and exciting, but they've been losing steam since.

Pon
Emeritus
June 11th 2022


6094 Comments


Is Mystic Places of Dawn > tho that is the question

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
June 11th 2022


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.3

I’d say yes and by a margin

parksungjoon
June 11th 2022


47231 Comments


>Is Mystic Places of Dawn > tho that is the question


is that really the question

Darkwatch025
June 11th 2022


432 Comments


After listening to the album several times, only three songs really clicked for me. Neuromancer, Psychohistory, and A Desert Throne.

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
June 12th 2022


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.3

"A Desert Throne" is probably the low branch fruit bearing tbh. Why in particular does that make an impression on you?

Hyperion1001
Emeritus
June 12th 2022


27017 Comments


mystic places of dawn is better

Voivod
Staff Reviewer
June 12th 2022


10915 Comments


Just listened to this back to back, and while everything is seemingly in place, nothing compelled to push repeat.

Band needs to reinvent itself, like it did with its middle albums.

parksungjoon
June 12th 2022


47231 Comments


>mystic places of dawn is better


its literally the best thing theyve ever done so yea no shit lol

Flugmorph
June 12th 2022


34844 Comments


doom gang

LukeN4HisDestNE
June 16th 2022


17 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

This is right up there with Codex Omega. It's a bit more folksy and a little less classical, but still as brutal as ever!

DDDeftoneDDD
June 16th 2022


22756 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Hum, maybe that s a good thing...checking

DDDeftoneDDD
June 16th 2022


22756 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Yeah, this is pretty fun. First contact with the band. Even not being a symphonic metal kinda dude, this is pretty cool.



Psychohistory is kind of a banger



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