''Communion'' is the seventh studio album by Greek

death metal Death metal is an extreme metal, extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. It typically employs heavily distorted and low-tuned guitars, played with techniques such as palm muting and tremolo picking; deep death growl, growling vocals; aggressive ...

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, and the first to be released under the name "Septicflesh" following the band's name change.

Background and production

Septicflesh first announced a reunion show at the Metal Healing Festival in their home-country on February 19, 2007 and shortly hereafter a new full-length on French label Season of Mist. ''Communion'' including a full classical orchestra, arranged by guitarist Christos Antoniou, who has a master's degree in concert music from the London College of Music. The Prague Filmharmonic Orchestra recorded the compositions with 80 instrumentalists and a choir of 32 singers.

Musical and lyrical themes

''Communion'' combines the heaviness and brutality of

, with the obscure atmosphere of gothic metal, along with some influences of

black metal Black metal is an extreme metal, extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include Tempo#Beats per minute, fast tempos, a Screaming (music)#Black metal, shrieking vocal style, heavily distorted Electric guitar, guitars played with tr ...

. The album features a full orchestra and choir, with more than 100 musicians — adding a classical element to the songs — led by Chris Antoniou who is responsible for the arrangements. According to guitarist Sotiris Vayenas the album title means something like "communication with non-human entities." The main theme of album is mythology, with elements from various ancient civilizations, including Egyptian, Hellenic and

Sumer Sumer () is the earliest known civilization, located in the historical region of southern Mesopotamia (now south-central Iraq), emerging during the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age, early Bronze Ages between the sixth and fifth millennium BC. ...

ian.

Critical reception

''Communion'' received excellent reviews from music critics and Septicflesh's fans, 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." 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."

Track listing

All lyrics written by Sotiris V., all music composed by Septicflesh.

Personnel

Release history

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Communion (Album) 2008 albums Septicflesh albums Season of Mist albums Albums with cover art by Spiros Antoniou Albums produced by Fredrik Nordström Albums by Greek artists