Kehlvin/Fleshworld - “To Deny Everything That's Mundane” Split LP (Review)

Album Type: Split

Date Released: 6/4/15

Label: Division Records,

Unquiet Records,

Dullest Records, Grains of Sand

“To Deny Everything That's Mundane” Split LP//DD track listing:

1). Kehlvin – Perspective & Growth

2). Fleshworld – Moire

3). Kehlvin – Fishful of Coins

4). Fleshworld – Wrecking Constructs

5). Kehlvin – To Deny Everything That's Mundane

Review:

Splits are always interesting releases in that you can get some crazy match ups sometimes. On this particular split, Kehlvin and Fleshworld are very complementary artists utilizing a unique brand of sludge/post-hardcore/post-metal/etc. It's becoming harder and harder these days for newer artists to make their mark in these ever-overlapping genres but both Kehlvin and Fleshworld succeed in making their own mark on this split.

The opening track by Kehlvin, “Perspective & Growth” is a surprisingly complex and sophisticated arrangement with a song that covers a lot of different paths. The guitar tones here are very reminiscent of the band Cable's 2009 release “The Failed Convict,” and the song writing takes a similar artsy bend as it begins with some pounding hardcore riffs and develops into a cool middle section. The middle section is really well done as it starts with a melodic theme then develops it into the next section seamlessly. The vocals are suitably pissed to match the guitars.

Fleshworld enters the fray on the second track “Moire” which begins with some nice ambient guitar passages. Building into a shifting frenzy of subtle rhythm changes, Fleshworld has some really nice guitar layering during their shifting verses. Some of the lead work on the beginning section reminds me of “Leviathan”-era Mastodon a bit in the best way possible. For any post-metal band the dynamic shifts and interesting song structures are really the hallmark of whether your band is good or not and Fleshworld does a great job on “Moire” with some really nice tribal drumming over the central break in the song and leaving enough space between the guitar melodies to build a great atmosphere.

A long build-up begins the third track “Fistful of Coins” displaying some really nice fuzzy bass lines. Moving into a nice moving verse riff, the song moves through some nice changes with some awesome rhythm guitar work. At around the 4:45 mark Kehlvin brings back the intro riff which has some truly great writing on the cool simple melody lead and the almost djenty prog chug contrast. A more experimental track than Kehlvin's first track of the split, I like this for the best song on the album.

The fourth track “Wrecking Constructs” which is Fleshworld's second contribution to the split displays a very different sound then “Moire.” The first portion of the song begins with open chords and space moving into a double time center section. The guitar tones employed in this track are very different then Fleshworld's earlier track and the mix as well sounds very different. A little more open sounding and the instruments have a little more separation.

For the final and title track we go back to Kehlvin. Continuing in what seems to be the theme of this split of covering a lot of different sounds and song structures this track is no different. It's weirdly hard to describe “To Deny Everything That's Mundane” in that it's familiar but different sounding. Which admittedly sounds cheesy, but the riffs are more chordy here and the short rhythmic breaks at some of the transitions are something not often heard and nicely break up the song.

After hearing this release I would really like to hear these two bands get together for a week in some location and rock out a couple songs all together a la Desert Sessions or that crazy In The Fishtank releases as their sounds, although different, go together pretty well. Overall this is a pretty great release that shows some brilliant song writing and exceptional rhythmic playing by both bands. The subtle time shifts and smooth transitions set a claustrophobic and intense feel that lingers after listening.

Definitely worth the time to check out.

Words by: Chris Tedor

“To Deny Everything That's Mundane” is available here

For more information:

KEHLVIN:Like: Facebook
Official: Website
Listen: Bandcamp

FLESHWORLD:Like: Facebook
Listen: Bandcamp

Fleshworld - Like We're All Equal Again - Album Review

Fleshworld is a Sludge/Post-Metal Band from Krakow, Poland

The members are:

Mateusz Szczurek – guitars, synths
Łukasz Klamiński – bass
Kuba Leszko – guitars
Szymon Łuczyński – drums
Tytus Kalicki – vocals

Fleshworld fuses Post-Hardcore, Sludge, Post-Rock and Post-Metal riffs to bombastic results with their excellent debut album - Like We're All Equal Again.

A stunning hybrid of moods and elements combining for one heavy as fuck experience. If you're a fan of Neursois, Cult Of Luna and Isis then you're going to dig Fleshworld big time like I did. Their debut album perfectly blends the different moods with stunning vocals to match.

You may think that you have heard all this type of Post-Metal music before. But look again as Fleshworld definitely have some impressive ideas and riffs of their own to impress you with. The first two tracks - Like We're All Equal Again and Hereinafter - lay down the ground work for the album to build upon. As Fleshworld toy with your emotions with perfectly placed vibes of anthemic Post-Rock matched against the heavier Post-Metal riffs.

Vocalist Tytus shows a whole range of emotion through out the album that's it's hard not to be moved by it all. Even when he is shouting death growls at you at full force. There is something about him that makes him dangerous and ever so endearing at the same time.

The same goes for his bandmates who strike the perfect balance of post-rock saviours against the more dangerous post-metal outlaws destroying everything in their wake. So if you're fan of beautifully played majestic Post-Rock then you will find much to enjoy here especially on the wonderfully played - Chant Of Many Voices - which has some excellent Post-Rock riffs you can lose yourself into. But beware as there is danger lurking in the darkness. This 9 minute epic features some brutal riffs waiting to explode and once it does it's very hard to escape.

The album is one of many different moods with Fleshworld perfectly balancing the harsher Post-Metal landscapes against the more calmer restrained Post-Rock atmospherics. It's a wise decision that Fleshworld never stay in one territory for too long as it gives the album a wonderful schizophrenic feel.

It's the albums final 3 tracks which makes this album stands out. The impressive 11 minute epic - Dust Easter - is worth it for the purchase of the album alone. As it shows what Fleshworld can do once in full flight. A track which will last long in the memory due it's passionate vocals and riffs combining for one actioned packed ride.

Fleshworld have delivered a truly stunning debut album that will appeal to all fans of Sludge/Post-Metal. If you want something to excite you from the word go then I recommend you check these guys out now. You won't be sorry.

On this form Fleshworld could be on an equal level with some of the Sludge/Post-Metal greats in the next few years.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Tytusand Unquiet Records for sending us a promo to review. Like We're All Equal Again is now available to buy on BandCamp from €2. And that price it's an absolute steal.

Check The Band From Links Below

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