Communion (album)

Infobox Album
Name = Communion
Type = studio
Artist = Septicflesh


Released = Start date|2008|3|17
Recorded = During September 2007 at the Studio Fredman in Arboga, Sweden
Genre = Death metal
Length = 38:10
Label = Season of Mist
Producer = Fredrik Nordström, Septicflesh
Reviews = *About.com Rating|4|5 [http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/septicfleshcomm.htm link]
*Chronicles of Chaos (9/10) [http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/reviews/albums/2-5173_septic_flesh_communion.aspx link]
Last album = "Sumerian Daemons"
(2003)
This album = "Communion"
(2008)
Next album =
Misc = Extra album cover 2
Upper caption = Alternate cover
Type = studio


Lower caption = Limited edition digipack

"Communion" is the sixth studio album by Greek death metal band Septicflesh. It was released on March 17, 2008 worldwide, and March 25, 2008 in the United States, both dates through the French label Season of Mist. The album is the first since the band's split up, after the release of "Sumerian Daemons", in 2003.

Background and production

Septicflesh first announce a reunion show at the Metal Healing Festival in their home-country on February 19, 2007cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=67373|title=Septic Flesh to reunite for Greece's Metal Healing Festival|date=2007-02-19|publisher=blabbermouth.net|accessdate=2008-09-25] and shortly hereafter a new full-length on French label Season of Mist.cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=69817|title=Reunited Septic Flesh to record new album for Season of Mist|date=2007-04-03|publisher=blabbermouth.net|accessdate=2008-09-25] "Communion" including a full classical orchestra, arranged by guitarist Christos Antoniou, who have a master degree in concert music from the London College of Music.cite web|url=http://mfgreview.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/septicflesh-interview/|title=MFG Presents: SepticFlesh Interview|author=SvArt|date=2008-04-08|publisher=mfgreview.wordpress.com|accessdate=2008-09-24] The Philharmonic Orchestra of Prague recorded the compositions with 80 instrumentalists and a choir of 32 singers.

Musical and lyrical themes

"Communion" combines the heaviness and brutality of death metal, with the obscure atmosphere of gothic metal, along with some influences of black metal. The album features a full orchestra and choir, with more of 100 musicians—adding a great classical element to the songs—leaded by Chris Antoniou that is responsible for the arrangements.

According to guitarist Sotiris Vayenas the album title meaning something like "communication with non-human entities."

The main theme of album is the mythology, with elements from various ancient civilizations, including Egyptian, Hellenic and Sumerian.

Critical reception

"Communion" received several positive reviews, with About.com reviewer Chad Bowar saying "The extreme elements of Septic Flesh are tempered with melody and contrasted nicely by the symphonic elements. The songwriting and arrangements are excellent. It's a great mix of tempos, intensities and atmospheres. From the beautiful to the brutal, Communion covers all the musical bases, and this is one of the best CDs Septic Flesh has done."cite web|url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/septicfleshcomm.htm|title=Septic Flesh - Communion Review|last=Bowar|first=Chad|publisher=heavymetal.about.com|accessdate=2008-09-24] Kostas Sarampalis of Chronicles of Chaos praised the album, stating "In short, Septic Flesh have come out of their coma in great shape with a fantastic album." [cite web|url=http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/reviews/albums/2-5173_septic_flesh_communion.aspx#|title=CoC » Septic Flesh - Communion » Review|last=Sarampalis|first=Kostas|date=2008-06-04|publisher=chroniclesofchaos.com|accessdate=2008-09-24]

Track listing

All lyrics written by Sotiris V., all music composed by Septicflesh.
# "Lovecraft's Death" – 4:08
# "Anubis" – 4:17
# "Communion" – 3:25
# "Babel's Gate" – 2:57
# "We, The Gods" – 3:49
# "Sunlight/Moonlight" – 4:08
# "Persepolis" – 6:08
# "Sangreal" – 5:16
# "Narcissus" – 3:59

Personnel

* Seth Siro Anton – bass, vocals, artwork
* Sotiris V. – guitar, backing vocals
* Christos Antoniou – guitar, samplers, orchestration
* Fotis Benardo – drums
* Marios Iliopoulos – guitar solo on "Babel's Gate"
* Fredrik Nordström – sound engineer, producer
* Henric Udd – sound engineer
* Peter in de Betou – sound master

Release history

References