Review: “A Hell In Living Flesh” by Flayed Disciple

A prison sentence of eight years ago Death Thrash enthusiasts united in Mosh pits before the presence of Flayed Disciple as their brand of Metal allowed them to play everywhere from France to India and go toe to toe with the likes of Vader, Gojira and Aborted while playing major Festivals like Bloodstock and Hammerfest. Now reunited with original drummer Phil Tolfree, last seen on their debut album “Death Hammer” and joined by former Burning Skies vocalist Merv Hembrough, the  firestorms and chaos they were once known for looks set to continue with “A Hell In Living Flesh” as the beast rises from the black lagoon once more with the beating heart of the band in lead guitarist Thurston Howe, bassist Paul Williams and guitarist Jon Whitfield remaining intact…

…going hell for leather from the very start of “I Am Leviathan” with smoking fretboards of Speed Thrash riffs that culminate in a screaming lightening bolt of a solo, it’s as if Flayed Disciple never left, their early Slayer inspirations a throwback to the glory days of the genre. Tolfree and Williams are the driving force behind it all and set an unrelenting rhythmic pace that keeps the others on their toes while new vocalist Hembrough has never sounded better, his dynamic approach with plenty of bark and bite is the spark that ignites the fuel that becomes the blazing inferno and the rest of the band thrive on it. The thunderous “Arch Contaminator (1985)” has some Pantera vibes as it continues the breakneck head charge through the material with vim and vigor with galloping drum fills expertly executed before the blasting mid section reduces the surroundings to rubble and that whammy bar drop solo moment that closes it out is pure class. As if that was bone rattling enough the adrenaline rush of “Flayed Disciple” is a lethal dose of hatered that includes the immortal lyric “Nazi Punks F*** Off!”, an unexpected tip of the hat to the Dead Kennedys during a Napalm dropping rampage that crushes all that dare set foot in the path of the beast. The only slow down on the EP is for the sinister introduction of “The Dark Other” before, as you might have guessed, the band let freedom ring with a shotgun blast. Howe saves his best solo for the finale as in the metaphorical sense the quintet thrown their bullets in the fire and run like hell before collapsing in a sweaty mess at the end of this majestic Death Metal fuelled Speed Thrash onslaught. It’s a Tornado that knows no end so consider this your warning [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. I Am Leviathan
2. Warmaster
3. Arch Contaminator (1985)
4. Flayed Disciple
5. The Dark Other

“A Hell In Living Flesh” by Flayed Disciple is out 22nd April 2022 via Bethlam Records