The Conjoined (BurningStarRecords)

 Project: Failing Flesh was formed in 2001, by the vocalist Eric Forrest (E-Force, ex-Voivod), Tim Gutierrez and Kevin 131, releasing in 2003 their album debut called “A Beautiful Sickness” under Karmageddon Media, five years after the releasing of this debut the band unleashes “The Conjoined” the band’s second and latest work. Having not heard their previous work, I didn’t really know what can expect, but after hearing the opening track, “Final Act of Treachery”, I must say the violent and eclectic proposal of this trio caught me completely by surprise… The style the band delivers here could be labeled as an extreme and experimental Metal; I haven’t found an accurate parameter yet but if I had to set a comparison, I would say this album sounds like the heaviest moments of Fear Factory, blended with some of the industrial/technical feeling of Strapping Young Lad, all these surrounded by some slight avant-garde traces and a straight in-your-face Thrash/Death Metal attitude… The variety is a trademark on this album; the violent music is constantly complemented by all kind of sound and effects, from industrial noises to “orchestral” arrangements resulting in a highly interesting and catchy experiment. The complex structures of this album moves over varied tempos, ranging from slow and pounding parts to fast and blasting passages, but always maintaining a solid coherence between tracks… The vocal work of Eric Forrest is as versatile as the whole music, contributing here with a wide range of tones, from the usual Thrash styled semi grunted vocal to clean voices, passing through eve shade in between… The whole production is, as such technical style requires, completely strong and solid sounding, enormously contributing with the whole album’s modern feeling. “The Conjoined” is definitely a solid slab of extreme Metal of the highest caliber, so if you’re into the extreme experimentation and enjoy the sound of bands such Fear Factory, Strapping Young Lad or even DHG, this album will definitely not leave you indifferent. (AP)