Kev Rowland This album may start with strummed acoustic guitars, but there is a feeling of menace contained within it, and soon the guys are blasting off into the blackened death metal with which they have built their reputation. Originally formed in 2008 by then-Aborted members, guitarist/vocalist BST (ex-Aosoth, VI) and drummer Dan Wilding, the band built a strong reputation with their first two albums, but Wilding was asked to join Carcass in 2012 and later decided to leave The Order Of Apollyon to concentrate on that band. With the other members also having conflicting schedules it was left to BST to restart the band, and to do this he recruited veterans of his native black metal scene, including members of Temple Of Baal, Hell Militia and Merrimack.

So, some three years on from ‘The Sword and the Dagger’, the new band is back with the third album, and shows no sign at all of moving away from their roots. The main issue for me is that the mix means that it really is a solid wall of sound, which means that there just isn’t enough in the way of dynamics, and it comes through all very much at one level, which is a real shame, as there is actually quite a lot going on in here. If would have liked the lead guitar to have been higher, and for the band to come through with more contrast. As it is, it is an enjoyable example of the genre without being essential.

Vehemency Consisting of members related to Cradle of Filth, Akercocke and Aborted, I didn’t expect to hear this bare deathened black metal on The Order of Apollyon’s debut album The Flesh. And the initial surprise was positive most certainly, but towards the end of the album I’m realizing that The Flesh falls down due to fairly mediocre filler material.

Indeed, taking at least ten minutes away from this 40-minute piece would have helped the album a lot. I’m quite impressed in the beginning when this war machine begins its rampage on the militant rhythms of ”God Speaks”, followed by the rapid strafe of ”Ich Bin Das Licht”. The production is really crispy and tight, a nice contrast to the other Listenable Record’s output this year, the muddy and bassy Fester and Putrefy by Cavus.

Near the middle of the album, my focus starts to wander around and the tight riffage and accurate drumming doesn’t have the same impact anymore. The songs follow another too closely and some variation would have been in place to create a more interesting whole. There’s no question of the member’s technical abilities but it doesn’t take away the fact that these compositions aren’t above the line of mediocrity.

The Flesh isn’t a failure but could have been better. Production-wise and technically everything seems to be okay - after all, these are experienced musicians behind The Order of Apollyon - but something is lacking compositionally. A good production alone doesn’t make a great album. Perhaps their next album will fix that glitch, here’s to hoping. Bonus points for the lyrically interesting theme, however.