Crannk Presents An Interview With Fleshgod Apocalypse Francesco Paoli -

Italian Symphonic Death Metal maestros Fleshgod Apocalypse is gearing up to unleash their long-awaited 6th studio album, Opera on August 23rd through Nuclear Blast Records and I recently took this opportunity to talk with frontman Francesco Paoli all about the latest album “Opera” songwriting, influences, overcoming trauma, the importance of art in society and all things Fleshgod Apocalypse.

Pre-Order Opera: https://fga.bfan.link/opera

Formed in 2007, Italian Symphonic Death Metal maestros FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE are finally back with their fifth and brand new album titled Opera, a gut-wrenching musical journey inspired by the tragic mountain climbing accident that occurred to their frontman and mastermind Francesco Paoli, in 2021.

Due out August 23rd via Nuclear Blast Records, the whole album is structured like a 10-act theatrical piece, as the title itself, Opera, draws a clear thread with the everlasting tradition of Italian classical music theater combining it with the epic brutality of death and symphonic metal, which has become their trademark sound. Mixed and mastered by Grammy-nominated producer Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Epica, Arch Enemy), Opera definitely marks another step forward for the band, incorporating new suggestions into that unique blend that FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE is renowned for sheer violence, majestic orchestrations, and soaring melodies. Such an ambitious musical endeavor called for an equally impressive artwork, a team effort between two arising Italian talents (artist extraordinaire Felicita Fiorini and visionary photographer Francesco Esposito), following the path traced by baroque painters like Caravaggio and Artemisia Gentileschi. The cover art portrays Veronica as Music, a superior entity that defeats the social and artistic decay of the modern age.

With this new record, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE is setting the bar even higher than before, pioneering what looks like a completely new sub-genre that might be called “Opera Metal”: an unprecedented mix of extreme music and theatrical elements.

“The best stories always come from pain, it’s a bitter truth yet undeniable,” says Francesco. “That’s why human struggles have always been an unending source of inspiration for artists throughout history. But one thing is creating art that gives voice to someone else’s tribulations, another is accepting to bare your soul to the world and reveal your weaknesses and frailties, while attempting to turn them into new resources for your own creativity. It’s a dangerous game, since we never know what our twisted mind has in store for us, but it’s a game you must play if you really want to bring your art to the highest level and leave a trace that has a deeper meaning, not just mere entertainment for distracted people.”

“After my fall, I woke up in a hospital, underwent several surgeries, constantly getting terrible news and spending many months not knowing if I would ever be able to play an instrument again. I felt condemned. Fear, painkillers, wheelchairs have been daily food for my frustration. Retracing what happened that day, as well as the days, months, years after, has been such an exhausting and frightening journey, in which I had to face my demons once again and deal with memories I hoped I had left behind.”