Februus, the Swedish death metal band named after the Etruscan god of the underworld, has released its latest album, 'Construction of Conflict'. This album is a follow-up to their previous record, 'Surveillance Orgy', which was a whirlwind of dizzying riffs, bellowing vocals, and proggy tangents. The band, led by solo artist Andreas Karlsson, has pushed the boundaries of death metal with its unique blend of raw aggression and progressive alchemy. However, the album has its strengths and weaknesses. While the guitar work is undoubtedly impressive, the dense instrumentation and challenging vocals make it a rewarding but bewildering listen. The production and guitar tone are consistent, but the lack of throughline riffs and conceptual variety makes the album feel samey at times. The vocals, while indecipherable, add an arcane element that brings to mind the weirdest parts of Blood Incantation. Overall, 'Construction of Conflict' is an acquired taste, and what you pull from it will vary from listener to listener. If you're willing to take the time to let the abstruse songs whisk you away to a truly alien land, you'll find that the album can be frequently astounding. The band pulls much inspiration from the ills of modern society, and if the goal is to draw attention to the obtuse, monolithic, and devious nature of our ruling bodies and systemic structures, then it more than delivers on that idea. In my opinion, the album is very good, but it doesn't quite reach the ecstatic heights of 'Surveillance Orgy'. The rating is 7 out of 10, and the album is available worldwide on September 4th, 2026.
