An EP that consists of only two songs doesn’t leave me a whole hell of a lot to talk about here, but I’ll do my best…
… But first, the lead-up:
Megascavenger’s Encyclopaedia Metallum bio sums up the band in five short words: “Another project of Rogga Johansson.” Johansson is a mid-level fixture in the world of Swedish metal, particularly that of the death variety, from the likes of Demiurg to Bone Gnawer to Ribspreader to Revolting to stints in Banished From Inferno, Those Who Bring The Torture and Deranged. (And that’s only about half his credits – the man gets around.) In truth, none of Johansson’s projects that I’ve heard has achieved any level of transcendent mastery or earth-shattering brilliance, but all are done a certain amount of craftsman-like quality, just variations on themes within the well-trodden framework of Swedish death metal.
… And then, the music:
Songs Of Flesh (Part 1) is Megascavenger’s debut release, an EP of two songs, and it’s a precursor to a full-length slated for later this year. Both of these tracks are fairly straightforward old-school death metal tunes, with the expected downtuned riffing beneath Johansson’s guttural vocals. Here, as allegedly on the full-length, there are special guests, which seems to be largely the appeal of the whole shebang – this is Rogga’s twist upon the template of Dave Grohl’s Probot or Fred Estby’s Necronaut. “No Haven For The Sane” sports guest growls from Jurgen Sandstrom (formerly of Grave and later of the Project Hate MCMXCIX and Torture Division), whilst the second and better track, “Deathobsessed,” benefits from the presence of Paul Speckmann (Master, Abomination, Death Strike). Both of those featured vocalists are legends in their own right, and certainly both turn in worthy performances, but in each instance, the combination of Sandstrom / Speckmann + Johansson adds up mostly to Johansson, which is another way of saying, unfortunately, this: legendary vocalist + decent-but-not-brilliant track = decent-but-not-brilliant track.
… And lastly, the verdict:
Based solely upon the two tracks I’ve heard, though each is a respectable slice of murky death, Megascavenger’s “celebrity parade” approach adds a minor bit of flair, but yet doesn’t quite lift the project far enough above the mire to make it anything more than another B-level Swedish death metal offering from a man seemingly filled with such. All in, these Songs Of Flesh are crafted well, enjoyable in the moment, worth a listen to obsessive fans, but when it’s all said and done, they’re nothing to get too excited about, no matter who’s on the mic.
