Fleshworld/Gazers/Viscera/// – Split (Review)

This split is between Polish band Fleshworld, French band Gazers and Italian band Viscera///. All three bands play variations on Post-Metal/Doom.

Fleshworld kick off the split with 18 minutes of music spread across three tracks. We’ve met Fleshworld before with their début album Like We’re All Equal Again. They play Post-Metal with very harsh vocals that act as a counterpoint to the emotive music.

The music is still expansive and nuanced but it has a slightly rougher edge than their début. There’s a bit more aggression here this time around, almost a hunger for something undefined.

Like a harsher Isis with Cult of Luna’s churning intensity, Fleshworld offer three enticing tracks that draw you in and deftly slit your throat.

Gazers are more of a Post-Hardcore affair than Fleshworld, although the dividing line between Post-Hardcore and Post-Metal can be sketchy at best. In this case it’s characterised by higher energy offerings, Hardcore-style vocals, discordant violence and moments of tranquil beauty.

Like Fleshworld, they also have three tracks on this split, although at a slightly lesser running time of just under 14 minutes.

The vocals flit between Hardcore bellowing, higher screams, Death Metal growls and even some cleans.

The songs are gritty, emotive and nuanced. Apocalyptic riffs and heavy tsunamis of guitars rain down unimpeded. True to the Post- nature of the music though there’s enough light and shade and enough build/release mechanics to add depth and subtlety to their angry core.

Viscera/// have more of a Psychedelic element to their sound as well as a bit of a Blackened influence that comes from the tar-black riffs and the high-pitched screams. In some ways the remind me of Blackened Doom band Rorcal, especially in the faster sections.

They have two tracks included on this split that total just under 14 minutes. This is heavy Doom-laden Sludge that packs an aggressive punch and has a venomous bite.

All three bands contribute enjoyable tracks to a relatively lengthy split. This is a quality release that is well worth tracking down.