Band:	Fleshmould
Album:	Interitum
Release date:	April 2012

01. Entrance
02. Alea Iacta Est
03. Will To Power
04. Si Vis Pacem
05. The 14th Legion
06. Siege Of Alesia
07. Alexandria
08. In Order To Create
09. Stairs To Elysium


I've had my fair share of Belgian chocolate. And to be honest, chances are that shit's just made in some factory in Mississauga. But Fleshmould aren't an edible sweet, nor do they come pre-packaged at the grocery store for discount prices. They're a death metal band, and they know what they're doing.

I'll be honest, the extent of my Belgian death metal knowledge pretty much begins and ends with Aborted and Leng Tch'e. And Fleshmould. Happy to expand my understanding of geography and how the world works, Interitum gave me a reason to actually look up the little country on a map. Man that place is small.

I suppose that's a testament to how interesting the music on this album really is. These guys write some ridiculously catchy melodies and even throw in a few technically complex riffs here and there for added measure. As if that wasn't enough, they begin with a symphonic intro and even manage to change their pace a few times - from blistering to snail. Their ability to effectively do whatever they want within their songs without meandering or losing focus is not only impressive, but lets the listener know they can rely on the rest of the songs to follow suit. You won't be taken for any rides or off-course scenic tours while listening to this album.

Some of the chugging riffs are rather heavily doom-influenced, perhaps a little Asphyx-inspired at times but never to the point of outright plagiarism. The added weight of this gives the album a strong, almost crusty vibe - as if in spite of its professional sound quality, the band members sought out a dark, gloomy atmosphere to give their guitars a more distorted appeal. All of these elements are backed up by some incredibly well-placed and intricate guitar solos, which often lead to a cacophony of Bolt Thrower-esque mid-paced groove-infused crushing death metal riffs, rhythmic yet blasting drum beats, and low-pitched near-guttural growls. They call this a deathgasm.

Actually they don't. But I do.

Albums like this seldom come along - revivalist in sound yet modern in appeal. Fans of either era will have something to appreciate with this release.