The first review of SCOURGED FLESH "Welcome to the End of the World" is in and it's a good one, receiving a score of 86/100 pts. from Metal to Infinity (Belgium). You can read the review for yourself at the following link: http://users.telenet.be/metaltoinfinity/ScourgedfleshcdreviewWelcometotheendoftheworld.htm

The CD can currently be purchased from http://www.soundmass.com (if you want a copy signed by all the band members) or http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/scourgedflesh

The official release date is the 30th of October but you can get it early from these 2 stores.

From NoLifeTilMetal.com & FirestreamMusicVault:

Scourged Flesh – Welcome to the End of the World (Soundmass) 2009

1. Death And Destruction (6:05)
2. War Machine (5:15)
3. Chains Of Slavery (4:21)
4. Shadow Storm (5:47)
5. Extinct (5:40)
6. Waves Of Disaster (6:16)
7. Napier (4:58)
8. Episodes Of Hate (4:10)
9. Blood On Thy Hands (4:45)
10. Unleashed (7:23)

“Welcome to the End of the World” is the second full length release from Perth, Western Australia death metal band Scourged Flesh. On mys first listen through, I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed this album. Color me impressed! I honestly don't really remember much about the first full length release. I must confess, I've lost a bit of interest in death metal over the years, but something about this one captured me and slammed my head against a brick wall from the very first listen. Heavy, brutal death/thrash metal with a hint of melody throughout. I'm not sure I'd label this melodeath, though I have heard the term applied to this band. Frankly, this is just good quality grunt 'n grind death metal with harsh, death metal vocals. There are some clean vocals used as well, though these are used sparingly, mostly as background vocals such as those used on “Waves of Disaster”. One complaint I hold against a lot of death metal bands is that their songs all tend to blend together and sound the same. That is not the case with “Welcome to the End of the World”, which offers a variety of tempos throughout as well as some memorable riffs, some progressive songwriting, and even some memorable hooks in some of the vocals.

One minor negative, on the first couple spins of this CD I found the "mouth solo" in "Extinct" to be pretty darned funny and amusing. It’s cool that this band can have some fun and not take themselves too serious. However, with repeated listens, I sort of wish that the song had a serious solo instead. The mouth solo version could have been left for a b-side or an EP or something different. Otherwise, “Welcome to the End” is a stellar release. Perhaps Scourged Flesh are the successors to Mortification's Christian death metal crown?

Cheers man. I just had a look for the review on NoLifeTilMetal.com and couldn't actually spot it... am I just blind? If it's going to be added soon, let me know and we will link to it.

No, you are not blind. I will be uploading it this weekend.

It is published on Firestream though.

Good sounds. Nice mix, good songs, good score!

However, I have to question 'Stefan's' knowledge of metal-Scourged Flesh sound almost nothing like the bands he was referencing. If anything SF sound like metalcore with a more thrash style song structure-not deathmetal. Can't hear Mordid Angel, Cannibal Corpse, Anglecorpse,Deicide, Nile or even Death in SF's style and sound.

Still, it is big jump from their previous releases and they have done a good job on it.

Mercury

He only directly compares their sound to 2 bands - Carcass and Quo Vadi. I'm not familiar with the later, but I can hear the Carcass elements.

I (and the band) think the "core" elements are pretty minor and they're definitely not deathcore like Heaven's Metal labelled them. Even Scott called 'em death/trash in his post above...

Maybe they're eluding being defined to a genre. Not that it matters... it's just great music.

Have you heard the whole album Merc?

No not yet. They don't sound anything like Quo Vadis though. I think vocals give the Carcass feel, but not the actual instrumental sound and patterns etc.

I think their sound is maybe more akin to a 'thrashcore' ( I only say that because Deathcore is a bit more brutal than what I have heard so far which is only three songs.....maybe that will change with further tracks etc) Personally I don't really like Dathcore as it feels like watered down death metal.

There seems to be a trend swinging back in favour of defined genres though. Each to their own.

From what I have heard SF's new material sounds cool though. It would do them justice to have their material reviewed in the mainstream metal press, they will get tuer feedback.

Just heard some of it on myspace. It sounded awesome....so i just placed an order

I tend to shy away from anything "core" but maybe you're right. I picked those 3 songs on their MySpace to showcase the band's diversity (while still maintaining an underlying theme musically).

Mercury wrote:

It would do them justice to have their material reviewed in the mainstream metal press, they will get truer feedback.

That's the plan - we're running a mainstream promo campign for them at the moment. I'll update this thread as the reviews come in.

[quote="ultmetal"]From NoLifeTilMetal.com & FirestreamMusicVault:

Scourged Flesh – Welcome to the End of the World (Soundmass) 2009

1. Death And Destruction (6:05)
2. War Machine (5:15)
3. Chains Of Slavery (4:21)
4. Shadow Storm (5:47)
5. Extinct (5:40)
6. Waves Of Disaster (6:16)
7. Napier (4:58)
8. Episodes Of Hate (4:10)
9. Blood On Thy Hands (4:45)
10. Unleashed (7:23)

“Welcome to the End of the World” is the second full length release from Perth, Western Australia death metal band Scourged Flesh. On mys first listen through, I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed this album. Color me impressed! I honestly don't really remember much about the first full length release. I must confess, I've lost a bit of interest in death metal over the years, but something about this one captured me and slammed my head against a brick wall from the very first listen. Heavy, brutal death/thrash metal with a hint of melody throughout. I'm not sure I'd label this melodeath, though I have heard the term applied to this band. Frankly, this is just good quality grunt 'n grind death metal with harsh, death metal vocals. There are some clean vocals used as well, though these are used sparingly, mostly as background vocals such as those used on “Waves of Disaster”. One complaint I hold against a lot of death metal bands is that their songs all tend to blend together and sound the same. That is not the case with “Welcome to the End of the World”, which offers a variety of tempos throughout as well as some memorable riffs, some progressive songwriting, and even some memorable hooks in some of the vocals.

One minor negative, on the first couple spins of this CD I found the "mouth solo" in "Extinct" to be pretty darned funny and amusing. It’s cool that this band can have some fun and not take themselves too serious. However, with repeated listens, I sort of wish that the song had a serious solo instead. The mouth solo version could have been left for a b-side or an EP or something different. Otherwise, “Welcome to the End” is a stellar release. Perhaps Scourged Flesh are the successors to Mortification's Christian death metal crown?[/quote]

Actually, this is the 3rd SF release. In between is another one called Bury the Lies. Not sure if it would be classified as a full length or an EP, as it's kinda short (just over 1/2 hour, from memory), but has about 8 tracks, which seems to be more than most EPs that I know of.

Meh, call it what you want. I'm just glad that you liked it. Took a lot of work to do.

It is a diverse album in terms of styles. I can hear elements of metalcore throughout, but its mostly layered with thrash and death metal. Some nice bluesy touches here and there as well!!

Scourged Flesh are definately on the rise and its good to see them getting some mainstream exposure.

Sorry, I don't hear the "core" element you guys are talking about. This is not metalcore. I'm no expert on that style, but there are no silly "breakdowns", no shouted hardcore vocals, etc. It's not all groove based. This is melodic death/thrash metal with growled death metal vocals.

If anything, I would say the 'sneaky' influence all through SF's work would be, of all bands Obituary-especially the riff patterns and some of the guitar tones.

Don't get me wrong-I like Sf, I have played with them and know the guys-but I am not hearing
'death metal'. There was one track one the last cd which was really going into that territory (can't remember the title off the top of my head).

If it isn't death metal or thrash-then metalcore becomes the default position. I don't think breakdowns defines metalcore-but it does for Hardcore. And he we go into the murkey world between. No thanks, not up for that argument-and I don't really care

Anyway-hope all the tracks are killer and look forward to hearing them \m/

The 2nd review is in and is another good one, receiving a score of 9/10 pts. from Metal.de (Germany). You can read the review at the following link:

http://metal.de/cdreviews.php4?was=review&id=13432

Definitely agree on the Obituary influence, Merc. If you read this review, though, I think the evidence is staking up. This reviewer also cites the same bands as the previous reviewer.

I think the fro picked the carcass influence-think I got the carcass vocals right
I picked the Obituary influence hehe
Boltthrower......hhmmmmm......maybe-not a great deal on the myspace tracks, but I haven't heard the others so that is possible. Though if you were to compare Bolthrower to INEXORDIUM and SF you would see who is much closer.

Quo Vadis...no still don't think so (unless there are tracks that do which I haven't heard yet). Quo Vadis has much faster and more technical drum lines-Dave does a good job though!

Got to be happy with the score though

Merc - I think the best solution is for you to buy a copy yourself