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Septicflesh is a Greek extreme metal band from Athens, Greece. Formed in 1990, the band has released seven full-length studio albums, four EPs, one live album and one box-set album. They have had a long and successful history in the metal and extreme metal scene, and are one of the few such bands to survive the Greek metal drought of the early 2000s.
The bands sound is a complex blend of symphonic, death and black metal musical elements, often featuring classical as well as modern orchestral arrangements. Their lyrics tend to revolve around Lovecraftian themes, such as forbidden knowledge, dark rituals and the dark depths of the subconscious. The band tends to use multiple vocal styles, both growling and clean, and often arranges them alongside Greek-style choirs.
Septicflesh first made an impact on the European metal scene with the release of their debut album, Mystic Places of Dawn (1994). The album was met with critical acclaim, and brought the band a considerable amount of attention. The band continued to build upon their success over the following years, releasing two more full-lengths (The Ophidian Wheel in 1997 and Omega in 1998), which showcased the bands evolution and their gradual incorporation of more and more symphonic influences. The band then took a break in the year 2000 to work on side-projects and recharge their batteries.
When they returned in 2003, the band had undergone a radical transformation. Now featuring three additional members – female singer Nathalie Rassoulis, bassist Sterghios Mosch ) and synth-master Sotiris Vayenas – the band had totally revamped their sound and adopted the new name Septicflesh. The new album, summoning of the Muse, marked a new beginning for the band, as they had embraced a much more symphonic sound and incorporated more electronic and orchestral elements, while still retaining the core of their metal sound.
Since then, the band has continued to push the boundaries of their sound. 2004 saw the release of their fourth and arguably most ambitious album, Communion, which featured the 26-piece Prague Philharmonic Orchestra on the title track. The band kept the symphonic elements prominent on the following album The Great Mass (2011), which marked the bands first effort sung entirely in their native Greek and featured Katerina Duska on vocals.
Septicflesh have since switched between metal and symphonic influences on their newer releases, including the critically acclaimed album Titan (2014), which features some of their heaviest material to date. The band are currently in the process of recording their eighth studio album, which is slated for release later this year. Recently, the band have been touring the world, performing live dates with symphonic orchestras in various countries, and playing festivals such as Wacken Open Air, Graspop and Hellfest.
Septicflesh are an enduring force on the metal scene, and are sure to influence many future generations of metal fans with their unique blend of extreme metal and symphonic influences. With almost 30 years of experience and countless recordings, the band have cemented their place in the annals of metal history, and remain one of the most respected acts in the genre.
