Bengans Fleshgod Apocalypse - Opera

Formed in 2007, Italian Symphonic Death Metal maestros Fleshgod Apocalypse are finally back with their fifth and brand new album titled 'Opera', a gut-wrenching musical journey inspired by the tragic mountain climbing accident that occurred to their frontman and mastermind Francesco Paoli, in 2021.“The best stories always come from pain, it's a bitter truth yet undeniable,” says Francesco. “That's why human struggles have always been an unending source of inspiration for artists throughout history. But one thing is creating art that gives voice to someone else’s tribulations, another is accepting to bare your soul to the world and reveal your weaknesses and frailties, while attempting to turn them into new resources for your own creativity. It's a dangerous game, since we never know what our twisted mind has in store for us, but it's a game you must play if you really want to bring your art to the highest level and leave a trace that has a deeper meaning, not just mere entertainment for distracted people.”“After my fall, I woke up in a hospital, underwent several surgeries, constantly getting terrible news and spending many months not knowing if I would ever be able to play an instrument again. I felt condemned. Fear, painkillers, wheelchairs have been daily food for my frustration. Retracing what happened that day, as well as the days, months, years after, has been such an exhausting and frightening journey, in which I had to face my demons once again and deal with memories I hoped I had left behind.”“Was all this worth it? Let the others tell. All I can say is that, although it was clear that this was the right thing to do, we could not even remotely imagine how strongly this process would have affected our songwriting, igniting our creativity and reinvigorating our attitude after years of deep coma due to the pandemic. We managed to turn one of the worst things in life into a work of art, that embodies our personal and artistic growth and takes the listeners on a rollercoaster of emotions, where they can experience what I've been through hand in hand with me. It's a waking nightmare but that's how life is sometimes, just scary.”The whole album is structured like a 10-act theatrical piece, as the title itself, 'Opera', draws a clear thread with the everlasting tradition of Italian classical music theater and its icons, from Giuseppe Verdi to Giacomo Puccini, combining it with the epic brutality of death and symphonic metal, which has become their trademark sound.Mixed and mastered by Grammy-nominated producer Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Epica, Arch Enemy), 'Opera' definitely marks another step forward for the band, incorporating new suggestions into that unique blend that Fleshgod Apocalypse are renowned for: sheer violence, majestic orchestrations and soaring melodies.Fleshgod Apocalypse are now ready to take everyone to the Opera.Tracklist01. Ode To Art (De’ Sepolcri)02. I Can Never Die03. Pendulum04. Bloodclock05. At War With My Soul06. Morphine Waltz07. Matricide 8.2108. Per Aspera Ad Astra09. Till Death Do Us Part10. Opera