In very few words, “The Great Mass” is the intercourse of the fallen angel’s deadly howls with the angel’s enlighted chants, it’s another (master) piece in the creative development of this interesting band from Greece, their eighth studio album it’s a bridge between their early works and simultaneously a step into their future. Septicflesh fans knows for sure what I’m talking about and they won’t be disappointed. But I think those who are not actually familiar with the universe of Septicflesh can discover an intense and colorful world through this brand new release. Spiros “Seth” Antoniou and his band mates merged intense black/death metal massacres and melodious heavy constructions with sophisticated symphonic elements, Peter Togtgren proof once again his abilities in metal productions and Christos Antoniou write some inspired orchestration performed by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
The cover artwork, once again it’s the creation of Seth Siro Anton and reflects the tensioned, struggling atmosphere of the album. It’s a very colorful, intense, complex and exciting opera, this work is everything the band has been so far and something extra. An epic and compact work, excellent concept, songs and performance. They set some high standards with their previous work “Communion” and now they raise it more higher, it will be difficult to overcome their self next time, this is an absolutely brilliant album.
