We’ve gone from Finland, to Jolly Ole’ England, and last week we were just in California. Today, we land right into Ancient Greece, where an ancient force awaits us. That last bits sounds a bit on the goofy side, but who could blame me when I’m talking about one of the most iconic Death Metal bands on this entire planet. For nearly 30 years, Septicflesh have traversed the landscape, crafting albums that are equal parts brutal yet oddly beautiful. The last time I mentioned this band was back in 2017, and while my opinions have changed positively since then, I admit that I still have a little bit of harsh judgement once in a while. Today’s review definitely moves in a better direction, as the band put out something fantastic in 2022. Does it prove to be a stronger release than what came before it? Well, let’s not wait anylonger, and check out my review of Septicflesh’s release from last year, Modern Primitive. Let’s begin!
Background
In the few years since Codex Omega was release, the band advanced their careers some more. On the 29th of August, 2018, Septicflesh had signed with Nuclear Blast Records after being with Prosthetic Records for the prior 2 releases. A year later in February of 2019, they performed their first live performance (Which featured a full orchestra and choir) at a sold-out performance at the Teatro Metropólitan in Mexico City, Mexico. It would be recorded and released through Season of Mist in July of 2020 as Infernus Sinfonica MMXIX, the band's first official live album. Of course, being a band in 2020 meant you couldn’t do jack squat when it came to touring, but that didn’t stop them from hunkering down & recording new material, and Septicflesh were no exception. Later on in 2020 they announced that the band was working on their 11th studio album, and on the 20th of May in 2022, Modern Primitive was released.
Basic Description
Codex Omega but focused.
As much as I enjoy Septicflesh’s 2017 release now, my biggest gripe was that it was an album that didn’t have a solid identity. All of the songs seemed to come from Communion, The Great Mass, and Titan. Don’t get me wrong, those albums are great, but all of them together on one just makes everything come across like a cacophany, and as such it didn’t have it’s own face. Modern Primitive, on the other hand, certainly has more of it’s own aura. Granted, it isn’t perfect, but it is far more solid than Codex Omega. Many of the songs still come across like something you’d hear from the previously mentioned releases, but not as much, and MP has more of it’s own aura.
Best Track
Kinda gotta make it a tie between the bombastic Self-Eater, and the more rhythmic A Desert Throne. Both songs used the accompanying symphony exceptionally well, but didn’t overpower the Death Metal elements (Although Self-Eater uses the symphony slightly more than A Desert Throne). Seth Siro Anton & Sotiris Anunnaki V continue to have great guttural & clean vocals respectively, and also do a great job on Bass & Guitars also respectively. A Desert Throne might be familiar to some of you, as it was the sample song I made a link to in my top 5 albums of 2022 list, which should tell you how much I liked it.
Self-Eater
A Desert Throne
Worst Track
Kinda like Codex Omega, the only fault of Modern Primitive is that it doesn’t have a solid identity. Quality wise it’s great, but the album is all over the place in what it wants to be. That being said, the record has far more focus than what Septicflesh released back in 2017. It’s not perfectly focused, as the music at times still is a little confusing as to what it wants to be, but it’s not quite as scatterbrain as what came out before.
Other
If you’re curious about listening to this album, then click on the link below:
Modern Primitive
Overall Impressing & Rating
Modern Primitive was an absolute treat last year. Sure, the record’s face wasn’t completely solid, but compared to what came out in 2017, it’s easier to see it’s identity. The band are still on their A game when it comes to their own style of Symphonic Death Metal, and nearly 30 years after their inaugural release, it’s incredible to see how far they’ve come. If you found Codex Omega to be lackluster, then Modern Primitive might be a mix for what you’re looking for.
Modern Primitive gets a 8 to 9 out of 10.
And that was a look at Modern Primitive. It was great that Septicflesh came back in 2022, and it was great to look at them again in 2023. The album was a step in rediscovering a solid identity, and I look forward to what they having coming next. So, get ready for next week, when you’ll see a double dose of Power Metal. Until then, take care!
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