Fallujah are a band that we do not see often, having released The Harvest Wombs previously it was clear that there was something very different going on here. At first glance they seem like any other technical death metal band, they are so much more. Having constructed a sound that is stylistically different yet immediately identifiable in The Harvest Wombs. Fallujah released their EP Nomadic until finally having honed their sound they evolved into the unstoppable force that is The Flesh Prevails.
From the beginning of “Starlit Path” to the final chords of “Chemical Cave” Fallujah have created an outstanding example of daring experimental prowess and its paid off. Throughout the album we’re simultaneously bathed in the sweeping soundscapes creating a sense of beauty and fragility contrasted with that battering of the death metal. Fallujah have also grown up. Although the formula may still be the same, much of The Harvest Wombs was forgettable and essentially quite easy to lose yourself in the ten tracks. Whereas here, The Flesh Prevails works at the same time completely cohesively, to offer the listener essentially a 40 minute track. Or it could also be separated into individual songs and not lose its impact one bit.
Having really pushed the boat out with their new release, initially I was sceptical when I heard first single “Sapphire” thinking that there was too much going on, that they were trying to incorporate too many elements and it just sounded messy, its the complete contrary. Making this kind of music not only demands the chops but the flair of good song writing, to make something that is so convoluted at the same time graceful and simple but technical and aggressive. A lot of the ideology behind the album has to go with the phenomenal album art designed by Tomasz Alen Kopera. Demonstrating the themes that Fallujah are trying to portray, the age old idea of light and dark? Good and Evil? Man and Woman? Old age and youth? Grace and Ferocity? Simplicity and technicality? An almost endless possibility of contrasting elements.
A simple idea that gives the album a lot more of a conceptual feeling, even in “Alone With You” we hear a small interlude with a woman singing. Which put against the world swallowing vocals of our main man is another contrast brilliantly executed. As with “The Night Reveals” we’re bred into the fast paced frenecity for the first part of the two track suite , then we’re given space with the following title track “The Flesh Prevails”. This technique is used brilliantly to highlight the best parts of both elements in the band as too many bands, especially in this niche tend to just go for almost showing off ability and not letting the songs speak for themselves. Nevertheless “Carved In Stone” is definitely an example of what Fallujah are capable of in their mechanized riffing with beautiful short and sweet solos.
But its not all about philosophical elements, with songs like “Levitation” that echo these ideas but have such good,clever use of notes and riffing. As well as “Continuum” the instrumental interlude that includes a guest solo from non other than former Obscura guitarist Christian Muenzner gives a lot more room to breathe throughout the album. Using a technique of small recurring notes or similar style of riffing also aids in the mirage of a one track album that Fallujah have perfected.
Whilst not only having a theoretically charged concept behind the album Fallujah have been able to construct their own signature style of metal. Amongst all the ideology you have to remember that there is nothing out there like this making them unique. In my opinion, they have the possibility to be one of the most interesting bands in metal today, if they follow the (starlit) path they’re on now I’m sure that we will be hearing a lot more about them. The Flesh not only Prevails but exceeds beyond anyones expectations,fantastic.
