What makes Communion by Septicflesh notable?

Communion received critical acclaim and solidified Septicflesh's place within the metal community, featuring prominently in genre-specific charts and garnering a reputation for its ambitious production. The album's orchestral components influenced later bands in the symphonic metal scene, illustrating the potential for blending classical music with extreme genres. By the release of Communion in 2008, Septicflesh had established themselves as a prominent force in the symphonic metal genre, following their previous album, Sumerian Daemons (2003). This album marked a significant return after a five-year hiatus, showcasing a matured sound that integrated orchestral elements more fully than before.

Who is Communion for?

Communion works well if you're into darkly cinematic soundscapes unfold, steady mid-tempo listening experience and immersive orchestral arrangements throughout.

How many songs are on Communion?

Communion has 10 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Communion

Septicflesh · 2008

42 min · 10 tracks · black metal

A symphonic fusion of orchestral arrangements and brutal metal that evokes both grandeur and darkness.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Lovecraft's Death — This track opens the album with a dramatic orchestral introduction that sets the tone for the entire record, melding dark themes with powerful instrumentation.
→
We, the Gods — This song exemplifies the band’s ability to weave mythological narratives into their music, combining melodic death metal with lush orchestration that elevates its epic quality.
→
Persepolis — With its intricate arrangements and dynamic shifts between heavy riffs and symphonic melodies, this track showcases the band's technical prowess and compositional depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album showcases ambitious orchestration alongside brutal metal, creating a unique yet cohesive sound.

What we noticed

The album opens with a full orchestral introduction that sets a dramatic tone before transitioning into heavy guitar riffs.
Several tracks incorporate choral elements, adding depth and an epic quality to the overall sound.
The final track is an orchestral version of 'Anubis', providing a reflective conclusion that contrasts with the preceding intensity.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

darkly cinematic soundscapes unfold
steady mid-tempo listening experience
immersive orchestral arrangements throughout
haunting vocals evoke deep emotions
for reflective late nights

Maybe skip if you

prefer upbeat and fast-paced
seek standalone tracks only

Where this album fits

Career context: By the release of Communion in 2008, Septicflesh had established themselves as a prominent force in the symphonic metal genre, following their previous album, Sumerian Daemons (2003). This album marked a significant return after a five-year hiatus, showcasing a matured sound that integrated orchestral elements more fully than before.
Stylistic neighbors: Fleshgod Apocalypse· Dimmu Borgir· Behemoth