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's unique blend of Artificial Brain-esque zaniness with the raw aggression of Exhumed made an impact, and 'Surveillance Orgy' was a favorite among many. However, 'Construction of Conflict' presents a different challenge. The album is stuffed to bursting with pirouetting riffage, odd-timing, and progressive alchemy, making it a rewarding but bewildering listen. The real star here is the guitar, and the album's dense instrumentation and challenging vocals will no doubt be divisive. In my opinion, the album's biggest issue is its sheer density, which leaves the tracks feeling surprisingly samey at times. The production and guitar tone are incredibly consistent, but a few throughline riffs would have helped give the listener anchors in the storm that is Februus. Despite this, the album is frequently astounding, especially for those who don't mind not understanding a single word out of Andreas Karlsson's mouth. The album pulls much inspiration from the ills of modern society, and it more than delivers on that idea. In my opinion, 'Construction of Conflict' is a very good album, but it may not be for everyone. It is an acquired taste, and what you pull from it will vary from listener to listener. Personally, I think the album is a step back from 'Surveillance Orgy', but it is still a rewarding listen for those who are willing to take the time to let the abstruse songs whisk them away to a truly alien land.
