Fleshgod Apocalypse has undergone a few changes ever since their 2016 album King. Namely that guitarist Cristiano Trionfera and vocalist Tommaso Riccardi both quit the band in 2017. Guitarist and drummer Francesco Paoli also stepped up to be lead vocalist for the first time since 2009 in their absences, and the band has gotten some live fill-ins for the remaining open positions.
Fleshgod Apocalypse has now announced they'll be hitting the studio with legendary producer Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Aborted, etc.) alongside "several guest musicians, a full classical string section and even a choir." Paoli also notes this is the last Fleshgod Apocalypse record he'll drum on, presumably to hand the reins over permanently to current live drummer David Folchitto.
“It’s official, we’re finally back in the studio and it feels absolutely great! This past year marked a new era for the band, so we felt the need to look back at our death metal roots and, at the same time, to push ourselves beyond our limits, reaching a wider level of variety and influences within the songs.
We wanted this album to be fierce but also organic and unpredictable, as if it had a life on its own. That’s why we decided to involve several guest musicians, a full classical string section and even a choir!
We’re also incredibly excited to work with legendary producer Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Destruction, Aborted, Epica) for the first time. He’s the man behind so many amazing metal records and definitely one of our favorite producers at the moment.
On my side, being back as the frontman also means this is my last chance to record drums on a Fleshgod Apocalypse record and this awareness actually inspired me so much while writing the parts. I really think this album will be a true landmark for me, as a drummer.”
2019 is certainly looking up. The band also filmed a live DVD in September that should probably be out sometime next year alongside the new record.
