Septicflesh - Modern Primitive

A return to the past wouldn't hurt.

(Originally submitted to the Metal Archives on May 30th 2022) 

I’ve had a soft spot for Septicflesh ever since I first listened to them. Being one of the first death metal bands I got into, I was fascinated by their post-Communion output, with all its bombast and flair. Years later though I found myself growing more averse to what they did in Titan and Codex Omega, and gravitated towards their earlier material. Nevertheless, I still find some of their post-reunion work quite compelling, or at the very least interesting. Modern Primitive is their newest album, and it’s a reminder of why I stick with what they did before 2011.

For the third time in a row, Septicflesh are seemingly on autopilot, creating music that barely feels different compared to their last two albums. We get the same riffs, which have been run down to the ground by now, and orchestral arrangements that for the most part instil a feeling of déjà vu. You could pick some of these songs, throw them on a previous release, and you’d barely be able to tell the difference outside of the lyrical themes. Even when they do try something new, like the staccato djent-influenced riffing on “Psychohistory”, it feels awfully out of place and takes away from an otherwise solid song. Of all the things they could try, why that? They should’ve tried writing an actual guitar solo because I can’t remember the last time I heard one in an album of theirs.

That being said, while they haven’t experimented or progressed much as a band, they’ve still honed their craft, and it shows on some of the songs here. The orchestral segments on “Self-Eater” and “Coming Storm” are some of their best in a long time, creating some very dramatic and in the case of the latter chaotic moments. As for the riffing itself, even though it’s by-the-numbers by their standards, there’s still the occasional standout, such as on “Modern Primitives”, which boasts a very driving section at the start, as well as a cool guitar line near the end. The Eastern-tinged flavours of “The Collector” and “A Desert Throne” are also a pleasant change, and it’s something I wouldn’t mind seeing more of in the future. It’s moments like these that manage to make me forget that these guys have been doing the same thing for a decade, and give me some hope that maybe they’ll try something different next time.

Another thing that hasn’t changed much here is also the production. The band maintains their very sleek and clinically sterile approach, only slightly exacerbated by their signing to Nuclear Blast. Everything is constantly loud and in-your-face, and while it doesn’t sound particularly plasticky, it makes for a rather flat experience. The guitars are big, with a lot of crunch, the drums are omnipresent and pulverise the listener, and Spiros’ bass is audible for once, which came as a shock to me. As for the incorporation of the orchestral stuff, it’s done well enough, though things get blurry when they’re combined with the faster segments.

I struggle to put Modern Primitive into words. Not because it’s the greatest thing I’ve heard in my life, or even because it’s obscenely garbage, but because it’s just, meh. Septicflesh have been comfortably sitting in their own lane and haven’t felt compelled to innovate or try something new, leading to a competent, yet unremarkable release. It’s a shame really, cause these guys have proven they can make great, even excellent music, both before and after their reunion. It might be wishful thinking, but I hope that a fire gets lit under them and it leads to them coming out with something fresh after this. The occasional glimpses of greatness here prove that they still have it in them, all that’s left is to see if they can manifest that energy in a future release.

Highlights: Self-Eater, Coming Storm, Modern Primitives

Rating: 67%