Photo Credit: Christian Sobeck
“Everything from the cover art to older school production values / tones speaks volumes for Fleshcrawl’s everlasting commitment to their ways – unyielding, authentic, resolute to keep their style on the map. Long-timers have their favorites if they’ve been into Fleshcrawl since those early 90s efforts – so Epitome of Carnage won’t disappoint that following. This record could also introduce a younger generation unfamiliar with this group – and if so, they have dropped in at just the right time, as the performances, songwriting, and overall chemistry showcases a quintet not ready to throw in the towel just yet.”8.5/10 DEAD RHETORIC USA
“With “Epitome of Carnage”, FLESHCRAWL delivers a focused, no-frills death metal record that balances old-school brutality with tight, experienced songwriting. Relentless pace, heavy grooves, and occasional doom-laden moments keep things varied without losing impact. A solid, forceful statement from a seasoned band still operating at full strength!” 8.5/10 HEADBANGERS AUSTRALIA
“Many veterans release solid albums these days that play through nicely and then immediately gather dust on the shelf. Epitome of Carnage, however, sticks with you. Because of its riffs. Because of its atmosphere. Because of this constant blend of frenzy and heaviness. And because not for a single second does the band try to chase any trend. FLESHCRAWL simply do exactly what they have mastered for decades — only better, more focused, and angrier than ever!”9.5/10 – ZEPHYRS ODEM (DE)
FLESHCRAWL unveil a torrent of ferocious bloodshed, chaos and power in their tenth studio album, Epitome of Carnage, out now via Distortion Music Group (DMG) – Powered by Reigning Phoenix Music. Accompanying the full length release is a rampage of gloom in the new music video for “Chapel of Guts”.
On “Chapel of Guts” FLESHCRAWL share, “with ‘Chapel of Guts’ we wanted to showcase the full spectrum of our sound. This track stands out from our more classic Swedish Death Metal tracks, making it the perfect contrast to the other singles and the album as a whole. It’s a short break from the more straight-forward tracks, offering a more dark contrast.”
“It digs a bit deeper into the Fleshcrawl roots, combining heavy, doomy passages with intense blast beats and a lot of dynamics. It captures that darker atmosphere we wanted to have on the record. It is Death Metal with a room to breathe and then to choke.”
On the writing process the band explain, “We didn’t force it into a specific direction; we just let the track develop its own flow and energy during the writing process.”
A foreboding darkness awaits in “Chapel of Guts”. A haunting, enveloping atmosphere swells and hurriedly subsides as the pace increases and intensity rises. As the heaviness ebbs and flows through chaos, it’s ferocious brutality leaves nothing in its wake.
Watch “Chapel of Guts” Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYSaRVAL4mc
The long-awaited Epitome of Carnage is constructed on the foundation of an expansive career. FLESHCRAWL remain devoted to the death metal genre despite having encountered loss and change along the way. As the tenth full-length release, the new album stands as testament to FLESHCRAWL’s unwavering creativity and drive. Arriving seven years after 2019’s Into the Catacombs of Flesh, Epitome of Carnage reveals a renewed vigor and power that bleeds through the track list.
Contained within Epitome of Carnage are twelve vicious onslaughts that showcase FLESHCRAWL’s unimpeded speed and power. Materializing alongside demonstrations of inescapable heaviness, explosive riffs, and melodic touches amongst the shadows, they leave behind no survivors.
More from Epitome of Carnage:
“Blood Dominion” – Official Videoclip
“Embers of Wrath” – Official Lyric Video
About FLESHCRAWL:
FLESHCRAWL was founded in the spring of 1987 in Illertissen, Germany, by Stefan Hanus and Bastian Herzog. Initially operating under the name Morgöth, the band adopted a markedly more extreme musical direction in 1990 and briefly performed as Suffocation. However, with the emergence of the American band of the same name and their impending vinyl debut, another name change became necessary. Thus, FLESHCRAWL was born.
Through decades of evolution, challenges, and perseverance, FLESHCRAWL has remained steadfast in its mission: delivering uncompromising, traditional death metal with authenticity, power, and unwavering conviction. In 2020, with a completely renewed and revitalized guitar lineup, the band entered the first songwriting sessions for their tenth studio album.
On June 11th, 2021, long-time vocalist Sven “Svenson” Gross passed away after a courageous battle with cancer that lasted over a year. His loss was a profound tragedy, deeply felt by his family, friends, and the entire FLESHCRAWL community. Despite this immense personal and professional blow, stepping back from their mission in death metal was never an option. The band began the search for a new voice to carry their legacy forward, and on October 15th, 2021, Borisz Sarafutgyinov was officially announced as FLESHCRAWL’s new and permanent frontman, ushering in a new chapter for the band.
Songwriting continued steadily throughout 2023, 2024, and into 2025, while the band maintained a strong live presence, performing at further renowned events such as Metal Gate Czech Deathfest, Hell over Aschaffenburg, Nice to Eat You Deathfest, Eindhoven Metal Meeting, Bucharest Deathfest, Heidelberg Deathfest, Braincrusher in Hell, Sick Midsummer, and the 70000 Tons of Metal cruise.
By 2025, songwriting for the successor to Into the Catacombs of Flesh (2019) was nearing completion. The band found a strong and capable new partner in Reigning Phoenix Music, securing a new label home for the release of Epitome of Carnage. In November 2025 FLESHCRAWL signed a worldwide deal with DMG.
FLESHCRAWL is:
Bastian Herzog – Drums, Vocals
Manu Markowski – Bass
Apu Justin Reisch – Guitars
Christian Kalbrecht – Guitars
Borisz Sarafutgyinov – Vocals
FLESHCRAWL Online:
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Instagram
YouTube
Spotify
Apple Music
Track Listing:
1. Blood Dominion
2. Chapel of Guts
3. Grave Messiah
4. Embers of Wrath
5. Committed to Suffer
6. Reign Forever
7. Chronicles of Bloodshed
8. Rebuilt from Flesh
9. Orphan God
10. Path of Thorns
11. Heralds of Death
12. Of Fire and Flesh
About Distortion Music Group:
Based in Orlando, Florida, Distortion Music Group was formed in 2022 by KATAKLYSM frontman and Hard Impact Management (WIND ROSE, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, SEPTICFLESH, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS, and more) owner Maurizio Iacono.
DMG has released music from Scotland’s death/grind extremists MAN MUST DIE, as well as back catalogue material from world-renowned dwarf metal titans WIND ROSE.
Following the launch of its strategic partnership with Reigning Phoenix Music, the two companies have collaborated on releases from artists including SEVEN KINGDOMS, EX DEO, and STILLBIRTH.