Symphonic death has enjoyed a fair bit of popularity over the years—largely in Europe—but Fleshgod Apocalypse might be one of the best bands of the style. Formed in 2007, the Italians have spent the last seven years refining bombast, adding bombast, and making bombast more, well, bombastic. The group’s latest long-player, Labyrinth, featured Fleshgod Apocalypse in true form, displaying a penchant for quick death married to Baroque-like arrangements courtesy of orchestrator Francesco Ferrini.
Fantastically ornate death couldn’t possibly have a low-budget, on-stage video, so Fleshgod Apocalypse opted for a cinematic approach for the song “Pathfinder”. Full of Roman soldiers, an angry Neptune, and a patricide-prone kid, the Francesco Paoli and Salvatore Perrone-directed video is totally pro, Hollywood-quality stuff. Interspersed with shots of the band in full bore, it’s quite the visual to behold.
OK, we’ve prattled on long enough. Grab some popcorn, a Coke, and your dad’s spathae collection. It’s time for “Pathfinder”.
** Fleshgod Apocalypse’s new album, Labyrinth, is out now on Nuclear Blast. It’s available HERE. If you like symphonic death, there is no better choice. Unless you’re still waiting on Bal-Sagoth.