DEMENTIA/DYSLEXIA

"Dementia/Dyslexia" is the debut full-length studio album by US technical/progressive death metal act Fleshwrought. The album was released through Metal Blade Records in August 2010. Fleshwrought is a two man act featuring Jonny Davy on vocals and Navene Koperweis on all instruments.

Stylistically the music is a very brutal type of technical death metal with jazz leanings. A bit of an unusual coctail really, but it generally works really well. It's not often I've heard that combination work but these guys control the elements and manage to deliver some really powerful, very well played, and quite well composed music. The vocals vary between deep semi-intelligible growling and higher pitched screaming vocals. When the latter appear I'm often reminded of The Black Dahlia Murder, just played with a higher intensity and on a technical level above what their more famous fellow countrymen usually produce. Which should give you a good indication of the technical level of playing on "Dementia/Dyslexia", because The Black Dahlia Murder are not exactly known to play sloppy or known not to know how to play their instruments. The fierceness of the playing, the intensity of the aggression, and the incredible musical performances should leave most listeners with their jaws on the floor.

Featuring 10 tracks and a full playing time of 32:57 minutes the album doesn't overstay it's welcome, because while this is undeniably a great listening experience, the music is also so busy and energetic, that it leaves no room for the listener to breathe (the only breathers here are a couple of noisy interludes), and even seasoned tech death metal listeners could experience an increased heart rate and stress symptoms as a result of listening to "Dementia/Dyslexia". So this is mercifully quality over quantity (and that's meant in the most positive way possible).

As mentioned the band often make use of jazz elements to spice up their brutal technical death metal. It's most often in the form of jazzy guitar solos in the vein of Allan Holdsworth. Really fast-played jazzy solos, but always made to suit the otherwise really brutal music. The guitar riffs are predominantly ultra fast start/stop type riffs although there are tremolo picking parts in the music too. I'm a bit unsure if the drums are programmed or not, but they do sound like it. It's one of those rare cases where it doesn't matter though, as they suit the music perfectly. Razor sharp precision drumming to go along with the equally razor sharp riffs.

The album features a powerful, detailed, and clear sounding production, which helps bring out the best in the music. Upon conclusion it's hard not to be impressed by what is happening on "Dementia/Dyslexia". Fleshwrought are obviously professionals, but they don't neglect to perform their music with passion and conviction, which makes this particular album stand out in a genre where many other artists go for a cold, clinical, and quite often emotionless delivery. This is 'ber technical, yet still relentlessly aggressive, and at times even somewhat catchy (well...it might take a few listens). A 4 star (80%) rating is fully deserved.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives)