With a history dating back to 1993, Corpus Mortale are surely among the longest-running death metal acts out of Demark. In spite of this, however, 2013's FleshCraft is only the band's fourth full-length release, as they have taken rather sizable breaks between recording sessions. Fans of Corpus Mortale's previous efforts of ultra-brutality have had to endure quite a long wait for FleshCraft, but the album's pummeling riffs, complex song structures, and tight playing means that the wait was definitely worth it.
Corpus Mortale's style of death metal resembles the semi-technical brutality of acts like Cannibal Corpse, Malevolent Creation, or Hate Eternal - that is to say that their music is more brutal than your average death metal act, but still maintains a high level of sophistication without diving into tech-death territory. FleshCraft sports a sleek production that allows each instrument to shine, and the band's playing throughout its 41 minute duration is remarkable. These guys are as tight and professional-sounding as it gets, and Rasmus Schmidt's drumming is almost unbelievably precise - Corpus Mortale is certainly not an act you would ever mistake for amateurs.
As professional as FleshCraft is, however, I can't say that I'm totally sold on everything here. For one, this isn't an album that brings many new ideas to the table, and there's not really anything here that most death metal listeners haven't heard before. The tracks don't strike me as all too memorable either, which is largely due to FleshCraft's lack of dynamic diversity - the riffs are varied both rhythmically and structurally, but their lack of subtlety makes for a rather unmemorable listen.
Still, FleshCraft is a lot of fun to listen to while it lasts, and tracks like "Love Lies Bleeding" absolutely kick your ass (in a good way) every time. Brutal death metal enthusiasts and fans of Corpus Mortale's previous efforts will want to check out this highly professional observation, but more casual listeners can probably pass on this one.
Track Listing:
1. Weakest of the Weak (5:23)
2. The Unwashed Horde (3:55)
3. A Murderous Creed (4:15)
4. Scorn of the Earth (4:25)
5. Love Lies Bleeding (4:17)
6. Enthralled (5:09)
7. Feasting Upon Souls (3:05)
8. Crafted In Flesh (2:01)
9. Tempt Not the Knife (4:02)
10. Seize the Moment of Murder (4:51)
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