Label: Running Wild Productions
Genre: Death/Thrash Metal
Length: 25:08
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Today, I'm going to talk about an EP I recently listened to, entitled SchirmHerrschaft by the band FleischSchirm, released in 2024 via the Running Wild Productions label. This band plays death/thrash metal and hails from Austria. The band was formed in 2019 under the name Kaifeck, before finally adopting the name FleischSchirm in 2021, which translates from German into English as ‘Meat Umbrella’.
SchirmHerrschaft is an EP consisting of eight tracks with a total running time of 25:08, available in digital format and as a digipak CD. Overall, FleischSchirm offers a mostly straightforward death/thrash metal sound with few solos, but that's not all. The EP also incorporates more melodic sections, dynamic changes and heavier atmospheres. Vocally, there is plenty of variety: screams, high-pitched vocals, deep growls and even some intonations influenced by hardcore punk. As for the production, it is not perfect for a first EP, but it remains effective.
The key thing to remember about the first track, Blutgruppe B, is that from the very first seconds, the composition imposes a sustained thrash rhythm, accompanied by typical death metal violence. From 1:55 onwards, I particularly enjoyed the evolution of the song, especially the composition and the anguished vocals that kick in at that precise moment.
Schafott begins with a mysterious aura before giving way to a massive wave carried by a heavy tempo, in keeping with classic death metal. Dein Untergang follows with an atmosphere marked by punky hardcore vocals in the introduction, then from 0:32 onwards, high-pitched, powerful vocals take over, supported by a drum performance that clearly invites headbanging. Königreich der Qualen continues in a similar vein, with a typically old-school growl. From 0:37 onwards, the composition becomes more catchy, and this impression is confirmed from 1:37 onwards, making this track rich in layers and interesting details.
Kaifeck leans towards old-school death metal with more restrained tempos, featuring a striking vocal entry after a solid instrumental introduction. I particularly enjoyed the vocal performance from 2:04 onwards, where the growls gain depth, as well as the atmosphere that emerges from 2:47 onwards, reinforced by guitar playing with a malevolent aura. Blutige Erde follows in the same vein, offering pure, uncompromising death metal, and stands out in particular with an effective solo from 2:20 onwards.
LeidenSchaft keeps the death metal machine running, while incorporating more melodic guitars into its composition. The drum performance, accompanied by the rest of the instruments, is particularly noteworthy from 1:25 onwards, just before the shift caused by the vocals coming in at 1:28. A well-executed solo also reinforces the track from 2:34 onwards. Finally, the last track, Nukular, returns to a more raw and direct approach, faithful to the first tracks on the EP, with a straightforward death/thrash composition and furious vocals, leaving plenty of room for headbanging.
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The EP delivers solid compositions with melodic passages, varied transitions, and a strong atmosphere. The band’s identity is clear, blending death/thrash and melodic death metal with moderate originality. It hits hard—perfect for headbanging—while the few solos and transitions stand out. Production isn’t perfect, but it’s effective and fits the style.