Formicarius – Rending the Veil of Flesh

Band: Formicarius
Title: Rending the Veil of Flesh
Label: Schwarzdorn Production
Release date: 13 September 2019
Country: England
Format: Digital download promo

FORMICARIUS second studio album demonstrates how much a band can improve in a short time.
They already came from doing a good job with some good melodies included in their style and with fast and catchy riffs, their debut “Black Mass Ritual” marked a clear path where the band roams comfortably mixing styles such as black and melo death. Vocals and stage present being a fine example of the first, and their music style, an example of the latter. In fact it seems that his style is focused on the combinations of styles that range from black metal, clearly characteristic in the vocals and pronounced turns towards melodic death, where his very technical sound, which I must say, they do very well, I can’t guarantee that this is a black metal album even if the band outfit and makeup are the traditional BM seal.

The opener self-titled song “Rending the Veil of Flesh” is the closest black metal influenced song here, yet it is loaded with some seriously intense melodic death metal. Nine tracks with an average of four and a half minutes, the whole album carries a serious potential on their shoulders.

“Rending the Veil of Flesh” delivers a superb production, very well achieved, something that cannot be overlooked because that would make lagging, something you can’t afford if what you want is to get the attention of fans.
The contribution of Sakis Tolis (Rotting Christ) and Nicholas Millar (Aklash) says it all, a plus that empowers this very good album and lifts it high. Of course.

I think that almost every adult human being has heard the history of Christianity since its inception and understands that it is a rather dark story, darker than the blackest black coffee you have ever tasted. FORMICARIUS explores in this album part of that dark and deep chapter and reveals the features that set it on fire.

Their tunes maintain a singular, propulsive quality from start to finish, and all manages to create a great continuous line integration song after song. Pieces like “Within the Depths”, “Early I Will Seek Thee”, “Stalker Among the Stars”, “Crimson Purge” is the highest, with some fast intros, good rhythm sections, and fast and furious guitar solos. I must highlight the work of their guitarists Nazarkardeh and Lord Saunders, they have done a remarkable job on the album. I must mention the superb contribution of drummer Kevin Paradis with thundering blast beats that rumble in your head again and again without mercy.

The well-considered keyboard use in select sections does not overwhelm the strong basic bodywork.

To close this review, I want to say that I’ve enjoyed this album, and this UK band deserve my attention to keep digging it more and more and why not, someday I have the opportunity to see them live when I visit the lands of kings and queens. 7.5/10

Till next time.
Jammerfal

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