The Pete Flesh Deathtrip - Svartnad
Lars Peter Karlsson under the banner of The Pete Flesh Deathtrip is a one man death metal song writer and multi-instrumentalist who has had his irons in many band fires such as Maze Of Torment, Deceiver and Torment to name a few bands. His solos musical vision originally appeared under the guise of Flesh that released three albums in the mid 2000s. The Swede then changed the band name to its current moniker more to make it unique than anything else and released a debut under this name called "Mortui Vivos Docent" via Pulverisied records on CD but also on a vinyl edition from the label this sophomore is currently released by.
I am generally skeptical of one man death metal projects more to do with the limitation of 'jack of all trades' musicianship than mastering one particular instrument over others but with Peter we have a musician and song writer who, like fellow compatriot Rogga Johansson, can turn his hand to anything and pull it off masterfully without hesitation or signs of weakness. Opening the album is "In Ruinam Iniquitas" that begins in doom death fashion with a slow dirging riff and beat coupled to the bellowing vocal growls with a slight echo hinting at the old school approach. There is a loose symphonic touch via the choral vocal back drop and atmospheric posture before the tune unfurls a grisly riff with old school cymbal smash and subsequent increase in pace. Having heard some monstrosities within one person bands this has an organic and brutal production with each aspect of the instrumentation being afforded great focus when needed especially the leads which are excellent throughout.
The slower doom death continues with "Burial Shore" with its funereal like beat and oppressive dread like atmosphere leading into a tortured vocal line backed by the subtle symphonics I mentioned earlier. The aura of the tune is similar to the pioneers of the doom death sub-genre of the 90s by bands like Paradise Lost, Katatonia, My Dying Bride and very early Anathema. Speeding things up "All The Serpents" offers a dark metal explosion of power and consummate guitar work as the songs dynamics enable the energised pace to reveal another avenue for his song writing as the track ratchets up the tempo leading to my first criticism which is the muffled snare sound during the quicker sections of the album. Weirdly but brilliantly there is a catchiness within the riffs despite the ethos of despondent musical bleakness as "The Sun Will Fail" proves with its sturdy beat providing that head nodding you automatically do within this style.
Drifting towards longer song durations in the final triplet of tunes "The Winter Of The Wolves" is a gnarly demonstration of the original Swedeath style with its galloping double kick leading the way for the subsequent blast and catchy guitar riff. As the tune develops Peter's unflinching vocal emanations flesh out the track as it slows down for the lyrics which are delivered with fervent power and passion. The ever shifting pace dynamics afford the album the luxury of entering a more experimental style demonstrated by a slower borderline gothic texture. Closing the album is the title track, beginning with a slow melancholic guitar riff and meandering atmosphere before a militaristic snare march is unveiled building the song up excellently with gentle guitar hooks. Peter's dextrous vocal abilities enable the vocals and music to melt together to create an epic flavour that escalates gradually culminating in a stampede of double bass. The tune has an eerie aura, saturated in desolation but decorated with sublime guitar work and clever percussive aspects. The tune drops into a shadowy ghoulish style being slower and exuding palpable sonic theatre that is graceful and alluring yet demonstrably heavy.
Within doom death and old school Swedeath spheres Peter Karlsson has recorded an album that blends both genres seamlessly into a challenging but highly engaging sophomore that I urge you to check it out.
I am generally skeptical of one man death metal projects more to do with the limitation of 'jack of all trades' musicianship than mastering one particular instrument over others but with Peter we have a musician and song writer who, like fellow compatriot Rogga Johansson, can turn his hand to anything and pull it off masterfully without hesitation or signs of weakness. Opening the album is "In Ruinam Iniquitas" that begins in doom death fashion with a slow dirging riff and beat coupled to the bellowing vocal growls with a slight echo hinting at the old school approach. There is a loose symphonic touch via the choral vocal back drop and atmospheric posture before the tune unfurls a grisly riff with old school cymbal smash and subsequent increase in pace. Having heard some monstrosities within one person bands this has an organic and brutal production with each aspect of the instrumentation being afforded great focus when needed especially the leads which are excellent throughout.
The slower doom death continues with "Burial Shore" with its funereal like beat and oppressive dread like atmosphere leading into a tortured vocal line backed by the subtle symphonics I mentioned earlier. The aura of the tune is similar to the pioneers of the doom death sub-genre of the 90s by bands like Paradise Lost, Katatonia, My Dying Bride and very early Anathema. Speeding things up "All The Serpents" offers a dark metal explosion of power and consummate guitar work as the songs dynamics enable the energised pace to reveal another avenue for his song writing as the track ratchets up the tempo leading to my first criticism which is the muffled snare sound during the quicker sections of the album. Weirdly but brilliantly there is a catchiness within the riffs despite the ethos of despondent musical bleakness as "The Sun Will Fail" proves with its sturdy beat providing that head nodding you automatically do within this style.
Drifting towards longer song durations in the final triplet of tunes "The Winter Of The Wolves" is a gnarly demonstration of the original Swedeath style with its galloping double kick leading the way for the subsequent blast and catchy guitar riff. As the tune develops Peter's unflinching vocal emanations flesh out the track as it slows down for the lyrics which are delivered with fervent power and passion. The ever shifting pace dynamics afford the album the luxury of entering a more experimental style demonstrated by a slower borderline gothic texture. Closing the album is the title track, beginning with a slow melancholic guitar riff and meandering atmosphere before a militaristic snare march is unveiled building the song up excellently with gentle guitar hooks. Peter's dextrous vocal abilities enable the vocals and music to melt together to create an epic flavour that escalates gradually culminating in a stampede of double bass. The tune has an eerie aura, saturated in desolation but decorated with sublime guitar work and clever percussive aspects. The tune drops into a shadowy ghoulish style being slower and exuding palpable sonic theatre that is graceful and alluring yet demonstrably heavy.
Within doom death and old school Swedeath spheres Peter Karlsson has recorded an album that blends both genres seamlessly into a challenging but highly engaging sophomore that I urge you to check it out.
- In Ruinam Iniquitas
- Burial Shore
- All The Serpents
- The Sun Will Fail
- Melting The Frost From Your Eyes
- The Winter Of The Wolves
- She Dwells Into The Dark
- Svartnad
Label: http://www.criticalmass.se
Reviewer: twansibon
Jun 29, 2016
Jun 29, 2016
Next review:
Infection - Acrotomophile Mutilator
Share this:
