Venal Flesh - Remotum Ex Carnis Sancta

If there's one thing I find hard to come across within music, it would be a really good spiritual journey that's able to puncture both the physicality of man, as well as nurture, cater, and open up the mind with ease. I often come across many dark bands or solo projects wherein the composer of the project describes their songs as having some sort of theme within them, but is otherwise not fully thought out or just garbled up in hate spewing filth. However, there are exceptions to be found, and with this release, I have found it.

After doing an interview with Dan Barrett, founder of Worms of the Earth, I had to take a look at his dark electro project, Venal Flesh. And I am very fond of the stylings found within this album. However, this project is not taken up by himself alone; he has two other members consisting of VanityKills (model and DJ, live keys), as well as Joseph Myers (DJ Biodread, synths and live keys).

Now, not to underscore the importance of the first paragraph, Venal Flesh definitely resonates with elements that are found within a lot of Worms of the Earth's songs. The atmospheric and ritualistic tendencies have not faltered since then, playing off harsh beats and tribal elements to create very, very fascinating songs.

As well as the beats coming through and hitting hard, we are served a place of distorted and screaming vocals. They always compliment the music, and aren't off beat; they flow nicely with the music, and not a single note feels out of place within this album. Even when an additional artist forays into the carnage, (Lexincrypt on Perdition), all is well and the song still comes out as graceful as ever.

However, even when the screaming dies down in songs such as Corege of Impure Flesh, Aeritudo Informis, and Ex Viscera Sanctum a haunting beauty shines through. Each one is heavy on their spacial sounds, making you feel as if you are standing in the abandoned ruins of a once lavish and elegant church. This is most present within the last of the three mentioned above, as chanting comes along with the sounds of crumbles and a demonic presence. The song was very, very inspiring and gave me goosebumps across my flesh.

Not only that, but the artists behind the project also takes a huge note to make sure that each and every one of their songs, as well as the album title, was thought about rather than just slapping it with a name just to be done with it. The title of the album, translated from Latin to English, means "removed from sacred flesh". However, I do not wish to offer my own insight to the title, as this is something that everyone needs to analyze on their own.

Now, I am having a hard time writing the conclusion to this review. I don't want to repeat myself, so I shall summarize by saying that this album is an all around exciting piece of art. I compliment the music, the singing, the titles, everything and anything. Much praise is given from me to this trio, as they have come up with an amazing start to an amazing project that's been around for the last two and a half years. The album is available on bandcamp for six bucks, but is worth so much more than that. So, if you have the cash, treat yourself and go download this album; it will sure be worth more time than you can allot to it. Nov 18 2013