Album Review // 2022-05-31

Septicflesh

Modern Primitive

Released: 2022-05-20

---

As a Canadian, we only learned Greek mythology in high school, though it was at a time I wasn't paying a lot of attention. It seems this band has weaved some of this into their themes. I don't blame them; they are from Greece, after all. Maybe it would be like being a Canadian band that never talks about the cold. You can do it, but chances are, you are going to end up there.

This band has staying power! They broke up and were apart for five years, then reunited. They haven't created an album for the past five years, but have managed to make it happen during a pandemic. 

They have included, at times, over 80 musicians and countless vocalists in their work. I can't imagine trying to organize the music, let alone the people. This is a big effort!

I like how Sortiris says the music is about emotion. He isn't going to give every detail of what it means; it can be left to individual interpretation. I thought it was time to check out a full Speticflesh album. So, here I go with my thoughts and interpretations on Modern Primitive.

Artwork

I like that this is done in greyscale. That face, which seems to be made of something inhuman or is deteriorating, reminds me of seeing a man that had skin cancer, when I was a child. There was a part of his skin just... missing. The skulls on this head make me think of a collection that has become a part of you. It took a second look to see it was skulls and not a weird hairstyle. The tusks through the back of the head add to the inhuman nature, and reminds me of body modification, where people want to look more like an animal. I don't know why we have chemicals represented here. Not something I would hang on my wall, but I am sure there is a specific meaning behind it for the band and artist.

Mood

I find that first song really set the mood for me. It made me think of The Nameless One from Planescape Torment, who goes around trying to find his memories and why he is immortal. It feels like there is mystery, as this person is collecting parts of someone else and trying to discover more about them. It has that eerie sense, such as seen in Planescape, where you feel like you would rather not be looking among corpses in a mortuary, but you keep ending up there. As it progresses, I find the mood changes to one of taking on a painful responsibility for things gone wrong, but maybe without a full understanding of how.

Vocals

I was surprised by the vocals, as I had only heard a handful of songs by this band and the focus seemed to be on the deep growl, which I like. There were some interesting moments, such as in Coming Storm, where Fani's voice can be heard in a unique presentation, which added some drama. If it had been overused, I wouldn't like it all, but used this way, it felt like a part of the unfolding story. The clean vocals done by Sotiris just caught me off-guard, though hearing them a few times later, they seemed less awkward. The clips just ruined songs for me, as clips often do.

Music

The songs with the most symphonic elements were the ones I preferred. They added something that was more interesting, and I think added some tension and suspense. Some songs were more predictable and familiar, while others were more dynamic. The pace was varied, but never full-throttle. I listened to this for the fourth time during a moment I needed some motivation. It was just the right pace that I didn't feel like I couldn't keep up with it, and didn't create anxiety, but it also didn't put me to sleep. None of the songs were lengthy - they were all pretty short.

The Collector

This song seems to be talking about Osiris. He was killed by his brother who was jealous of him, but his dismembered body was put back together, and he became the god of the afterlife. I think this could also have a deeper meaning, where a person is trying to put their pieces back together, and figure something out. Maybe once they do, it leads to a much better situation.

Among the dead I see you
Osiris, strangely new
One gain
One loss
Inside a tree, your covered grave
A king surrounded by decay
Deformed
Betrayed

I'm searching for the pieces
The fourteen parts of you
Observing
Perceiving
Reforming
Collector

Hierophant

I don't know a lot about the Hierophant, but he seems to be associated with education and representing opposites. Anytime there are opposites pulling in different directions, there is tension. There is some sense of authority surrounding him. I don't know how the Taurus sign is connected here, but I know it is represented by a bull.

Таuruѕ аррrоасhеѕ ѕhаkіng thе еаrth
Сruѕhіng аnd ѕсrеаmіng
Не іѕ tеаrіng thе vеіl оf Fоrеvеr
Аn іmроѕіng еmреrоr

Ніеrорhаnt
А ѕеrреnt thаt wоn’t kіll уоu|
Му nаmе hаѕ bееn еrаѕеd
Rерlасеd bу ѕоundlеѕѕ сrіеѕ
Раіn, hаtе, fеаr
Маn hаѕ fоrѕаkеn mе
І wеаr mу trірlе сrоwn
Аnd guаrd fоrbіddеn trеаѕurеѕ
Fееd thе fіrе
Fіrе аwаkеnѕ mе

Self-Eater

I am thinking, with this title and the lyrics, this must be talking about some kind of way you are supposed to go. It seems you don't have much control. In theory, it is like you are eating yourself, or not getting anywhere, erasing yourself? A weird way to put it.

Life, death, fear
I am the clock of time
That drains the life of mortals
They fear me
They feed me
I have a wide and hollow mouth

Fight and prevail
Embrace the path within
The triple crown
The crown of your destiny (Destiny)
The painful ecstasy
Remove your final seal
Become a new man
Shed, now, your present skin

Neuromancer

This feels very out of place. Mixing in science and technology. I guess maybe it is like we disappear into technology, because we have been so wrapped up in it? It has taken over and made things harder. Could be extra on the mind due to heightened use of technology during this pandemic, where we have had to do things from a distance.

Before you are gone, you stand defiant
Placing your faith in neuroscience
A thread of hope, the spark inside you
A cold console is there beside you

Neuromancer
Your body lies in place
Neuromancer
Ascent to cyberspace

Coming Storm

In a sense, this storm that seems to be coming, that is unstoppable, seems to be self-created. We have pursued pride and hate, and now find ourselves waiting to be hit with this thing that will likely kill us.

Our nature was our killer
We fought inside
We fought our pride

A storm with great rage (And now we seek a healer)
With warmth inside
To cure our pride

Blinded by hate (The coming storm)
A storm is coming, a storm
A storm with great rage

A Desert Throne

Again, I think this has to do with thinking something is going to save us, but maybe we need to be saved from ourselves. There is no one on the dessert throne with authority. 

I've seen the end of humans
I've seen the work of lies
On an empty throne
Like a desert throne

I've seen a wrath inhuman
On an empty throne
Like a desert throne

I've seen the end of times
On an empty throne
Like a desert throne
Like a desert throne

Modern Primitives

This song is obviously important, as it is the title of the album. I think this is talking about how we repeat history, we blame others, we don't change. We are at fault for much of what happens, but won't take responsibility for our part.

Reframing old ways
A reconstruction
We demand to relieve the world
From our own afflictions
Deformed, we play with guilt
Shout, push
Primitive thoughts are taking control

A zero price for knowledge
We are the parasites, infecting all with foul desires
Our forefathers are calling us
With their wrath, we are stained
Random orders we dictate
Unprepared to admit ignorance
Why do we fall?
Why do we bleed?
We pretend that we reign
We are eager to obey
In a world of lies, emptiness
Why do we fall?
Our forefathers are calling us
Why do we bleed?

With their wrath, we are stained
Bleedin', screamin'
Modern primitives

Psychohistory

This seems very basic and to-the-point. Some crazy people did stuff in history. Some minds had great plans, some clouded by mental illness, pride, hate, lust. There are many who have leadership roles and had very self-serving plans.

Psychohistory
The one you'll never read
People larger than life
Strong, ambitious with great pride
Faults are hidden from sight
Imperfections and flaws will be denied

Matters of psychology
Motives of the mind
Are the fuels of history
Actions predefined

A Dreadful Muse

This seems to be talking about dying with regret. You could even say dying in shame, a castaway, alone.

The walls try to breathe
Asphyxiating with our kin
We shall pay the price for our insanity
We are banned from life
We'll sink into the night

We were banned from life
We regret before we die
This is the world we have made (Afraid)
This is the world we dominate (Afraid)
Afraid to live

Playlist Picks

The Collector will make it to my playlist. It was a nice opener and gripped my attention. 

Coming Storm will also make it. It is a very dynamic song that used the symphonic elements well.