Released 10 years ago
King
Fleshgod Apocalypse · 2016
57 min · 12 tracks · symphonic metal
A grandiose fusion of symphonic arrangements and relentless technical death metal, creating an operatic yet brutal soundscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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In aeternum — This track exemplifies the album's dramatic flair, combining heavy riffs with orchestral flourishes that capture the essence of Fleshgod Apocalypse's unique style.
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Healing Through War — Blending aggression with melodic interludes, this track showcases the band's ability to balance brutality and beauty, making it a standout piece on the record.
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King — The title track encapsulates the thematic core of the album, exploring concepts of power and dominance through a powerful orchestral arrangement paired with intense instrumentation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends orchestral and metal elements effectively, showcasing strong composition and distinctiveness within its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a symphonic intro that sets a theatrical tone, leading into aggressive guitar riffs and blast beats.
- Tracks often alternate between orchestral segments and intense metal passages, creating a dynamic contrast throughout the record.
- Several tracks feature operatic vocals layered over heavy instrumentation, enhancing the dramatic effect of the music.
- The final track concludes with a slow, haunting melody that fades out, providing a stark contrast to the preceding intensity.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long, immersive listening sessions
- wave-like pacing and intensity
- grand, cinematic soundscapes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Upon the release of King in 2016, Fleshgod Apocalypse was solidifying their status within the symphonic metal scene after their previous album, Labyrinth (2013). This album marked a significant evolution in their sound, showcasing more complex compositions and theatrical elements, which reflected the band's artistic growth during this phase of their career.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dimmu Borgir· Epica· Nightwish
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Cold as Perfection
A shift in perspective where the lyrics confront the destructive nature of unattainable ideals directly addresses societal expectations.
This moment forces a critical examination of ambition versus reality, highlighting the internal struggle against perfectionism that permeates throughout the album.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Marche royale 1:57
- 2 In aeternum 5:25
- 3 Healing Through War 4:43
- 4 The Fool 4:06
- 5 Cold as Perfection 6:31
- 6 Mitra 3:49
- 7 Paramour (Die Leidenschaft bringt Leiden) 3:43
- 8 And the Vulture Beholds 5:12
- 9 Gravity 5:12
- 10 A Million Deaths 5:27
- 11 Syphilis 7:22
- 12 King 3:59
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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