Septic Flesh achieved widespread and longstanding respect within underground metal circles for their innovative approach to death metal. Formed in Athens, Greece in 1990 by Sotiris Voeynas (guitar/vocals/keyboards), Christopher A. (guitar), Spiros Antoniou (bass/vocals), and Akis Kapranos (drums), Septic Flesh recorded an independent EP entitled Temple of the Lost Race in 1991, and it helped them attain a deal with Holy Records. Starting with 1994's Mystic Places of Dawn the band began incorporating dark, atmospheric passages to counteract the singular fury of their more extremely metallic inclinations. Following the addition of vocalist Natalie Rassoulis, ensuing albums such as 1995's Esoptron, 1997's Ophidian Wheel, and 1998's A Fallen Temple, delved even further afield, experimenting with slower, doom-derived riffs and lyrics inspired by Greek history and tradition. 1999's Revolution D.N.A. was an even bigger departure from the band's metal roots, doing away with most every death-style vocals, as well as co-vocalist Rassoulis; but both were back on hand for 2003's Sumerian Daemons, after which Septic Flesh surprisingly announced their official breakup. ~ Ed Rivadavia, All Music Guide
