FLESHCRAWL - Epitome Of Carnage, LP

"Epitome Of Carnage" is available as limited red marbled LP.

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.

In 1991, the band released its first 7"EP, "Lost in a Grave", via Morbid Records. A year later, they signed with Black Mark Production and entered Montezuma Studio in Stockholm to record their debut full-length, "Descend into the Absurd". Shortly thereafter, Mike Hanus replaced Gero Schmitt on guitar. Their sophomore effort, "Impurity" (1993), was recorded at Unisound Studio under the guidance of Dan Swanö. With its brutal and uncompromising death metal sound, paired with the band’s ferocious live performances, FLESHCRAWL quickly garnered international acclaim. Their intensity was further demonstrated during the Easter Bash Tour ’95 alongside Deicide, Cathedral, Brutal Truth, Sinister, and Kataklysm. In December 1995, the band recorded their third album, "Bloodsoul", followed in 1997 by "Bloodred Massacre", both produced at Abyss Studio by Peter Tägtgren. The latter marked the debut of vocalist Sven Gross, who replaced Alex Pretzer, and earned the strongest reviews since their 1992 debut.

After bassist Tobias Schick joined in 1998, FLESHCRAWL parted ways with Black Mark Production and embarked on a four-week European tour with Vader and Kataklysm, also sharing festival stages with Cannibal Corpse and Dark Funeral. Upon returning, the band signed with Metal Blade Records. Released in January 2000, "As Blood Rains from the Sky – We Walk the Path of Endless Fire", recorded at Studio Fredman, delivered razor-sharp production, crushing riffs, and bone-piercing vocals. The album became a milestone in the band’s discography, earning the most enthusiastic press reactions of their career to date.

Extensive touring followed, including European runs with Vader and Vital Remains, festival appearances, and subsequent tours supporting Bolt Thrower and Six Feet Under. In September 2001, FLESHCRAWL recorded their sixth album, "Soulskinner", at Studio Underground in Västerås, Sweden. Its release was supported by a four-week European tour alongside Bolt Thrower and Benediction. The early 2000s marked a period of strong international presence, including a performance at Wacken Open Air in 2002 and their first-ever Japanese tour supporting Hypocrisy - a milestone that made 2002 one of the most successful years in the band’s history.

In late 2003, FLESHCRAWL returned to Studio Underground to record their seventh album, "Made of Flesh", a relentless continuation of the sonic path forged on "Soulskinner". The album was supported by a successful European tour with Six Feet Under and numerous festival appearances.

Following lineup changes and a transitional phase in the mid-2000s, the band recorded their eighth album, "Structures of Death", in 2007 - this time primarily in Germany at Studio Toninfusion in Ulm, before mixing and mastering once again in Sweden. The result was a crushing, clear production that reaffirmed the band’s unwavering commitment to uncompromising death metal. Between 2008 and 2015, while no new studio album was released, FLESHCRAWL remained a formidable live force, performing at numerous renowned festivals across Europe and beyond, steadily reinforcing their reputation as a relentless and dependable presence in the international death metal scene.

In 2015, the band released a split CD with Skinned Alive via Brutal Arts Records, later reissued by FDA Records. The following year marked another milestone: FLESHCRAWL embarked on their first Asian tour, performing eight shows across the United Arab Emirates, Nepal, Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam - an overwhelming and rewarding experience. Later in 2016, the band released "Festering Thoughts from a Grave", a remastered compilation of early demos and their debut EP via Raw Skull Recordz. In 2018, renewed creative momentum led to increased live activity and a contract with the European extreme metal booking agency District 19. Lineup changes followed, and in early 2019, FLESHCRAWL signed a worldwide deal with Apostasy Records. The long-awaited ninth studio album, "Into the Catacombs of Flesh", was released on November 29, 2019. The successor to "Structures of Death" (2007) channelled more than three decades of death metal fury into a focused, uncompromising statement. Tracks such as the crushing title piece, the morbidly grooving "Ossuary Rituals", the doom-laden "Grave Monger", and the relentless "Of Frozen Bloody Grounds" reaffirmed the band’s signature blend of brutality and precision.

The global COVID-19 pandemic brought all promotional activities and touring plans to an abrupt halt. Scheduled shows were postponed indefinitely, forcing the band into an involuntary hiatus from the live stage. In March 2020, guitarist Slobodan Stupar was replaced by Christian "Kalbsgrinder" Kalbrecht. Later that year, in December 2020, the band and longtime guitarist Oliver Grbavac mutually agreed to part ways, with Justin Reisch stepping in to complete the renewed lineup. 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. 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.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, FLESHCRAWL were only able to perform three shows in 2021. After three years of restrictions, as the situation gradually stabilized and life began returning to normal, the band re-emerged strongly in 2022, appearing at nearly every major and relevant European festival. These included Pitfest, Aaargh Festival, Protzen Open Air, Boarstream Open Air, Gothoom Open Air, MetalDays, Brutal Assault, Party.San Open Air, Summer Breeze Open Air, and UK Deathfest. 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 Metal Meeting, Braincrusher in Hell, Sick Midsummer, and the 70000 Tons of Metal cruise.

By 2025, songwriting for the successor to "Into the Catacombs of Flesh" 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 RPM - E"pitome of Carnage" is set for release on June 12, 2026.