Review: “The Beginning of the End” by Fleshspoil

What happens when a trio of seasoned veterans known for their many prior convictions decide to start a fresh project? It pays to expect the unexpected because in reality one of those musicians could be the driving force of the project and it might not have the hallmarks you might expect from the others. For that reason, a debut album bleakly titled “The Beginning of the End” from New York based Blackened Death Metal Fleshspoil is an intriguing prospect and a potential Pandora’s box.  Produced and mixed by Brett Portzer (Skinless, Author & Punisher, Arsis), the record is the work of the writing partnership of guitarist and vocalist Jeff Andrews (The Final Sleep, Armor Column, Hush, Ironweed, Scavengers, and Held Under) and drummer Mike Van Dyne (A Celebration of Guilt, A Diamond for Disease). They’re joined by bassist Dan Saltzman (Illucinus, The Hunt) who you may recognise from recent ESP bass demonstration videos; you may also recognise the cover art because its “L’Umana Fragilità” by Salvator Rosa (1656)…

While they’ve been referred to as a Blackened Death Metal trio, in truth each of the songs that comprise this near 40 minute burnt offering comprise a multitude of sins from inspirations in a wealth of different Metal sub-genres. A guitar solo from Kyle Chapman and some lap steel guitar from John Judkins both add a warming spice that’s nice the atmospheric opening cut “Bleed Through This Life“, which is soaked in incredible musicianship. From brooding to almost ethereal atmospherics, from Blackened blast beats to almost Jazzy drum fills, it’s a magnum opus of gargantuan proportions. It’s the kind of track that other bands would fear to use as a first taste but with some chaotic whammy bar action in the final moments it’s nothing short of awe inspiring. How they manage to shoehorn so much into it is a mystery because from the eerie, haunting melodies to the savage Death Metal parts, it has it all and the kitchen sink. “Skies Turn To Graves” finds John Judkins reprising his role with the band moving into more Progressive Death Metal territory, combining rich melodies that perhaps tip the hat to The Final Sleep with their delicate clean vocals with all out aggression. Andrews impresses with his vocal range, creating some haunting almost banshee like moments while the guitars chug beneath his feet. A self titled track is always a box of curiosities and “Fleshspoil” by Fleshspoil is no different, Mike Van Dyne harnessing his inner Gene Hoglan and driving this one forward with surgical precision. Another rich, dark and gloriously melodic mid section gives a moment of reflective beauty before the caustic screams and thunderous blast beats return in pure, unadulterated catharsis and that makes for something nothing short of astounding. There is even time for some 90’s Metal nostalgia with the final couple of minutes, Groove Death being the order of the day.

Petr Oplatka of Illucinus fame joins the party for “Walking Dead“, adding a solo to a track that takes a leaf out the Dying Fetus book of Death Metal. A burnt offering that is more straightforwardly skull crushing than the rest, it stands apart from the album but works well in the context, acting as a kind of palette cleanser. Returning to the sounds of their earlier desperate cries, “A Frail Demise” is more of a riff orientated cut that flirts with feeling changes in time signatures. It offers Van Dyne a full on work out behind the kit and arguably makes for his finest performance on the record. Frantic and frenetic, its a non stop, all out adrenaline rush of a song and once it gets going it simply never lets go. Taking the earlier melodic ideas and creating a full song out of them is no mean feat but Fleshspoil carry it off in style with “Born Into Despair“, dispensing with the heavier aspects of their thought provoking sounds for just a moment. The melody of this one is the kind of thing you can hum and has a gloomy kind of vibrancy that is soul stirring despite the melancholic nature of the beast. An album that is captivating, immersive and thought provoking, this really does demand your immediate attention [9/10]

Track Listing

“The Beginning of the End” by Fleshspoil is out 28th March 2025 and is available over at bandcamp.