Review: Taking the Head of Goliath – Futility of the Flesh
Reviewed by Seth Metoyer, Heaven’s Metal Magazine
In the relentless world of brutal death metal, few bands have left as indelible a mark as Minnesota’s own Taking the Head of Goliath. Their swan song, the EP Futility of the Flesh, released posthumously on October 25, 2024, via Rottweiler Records, stands as a testament to their unyielding ferocity and technical prowess. The EP was recorded by Will Maravelas (Thor, Incinerate) and mixed and mastered by Charles Powell (Carnifex), ensuring a sonic onslaught that does justice to the band’s vision. The cover art, crafted by Pär Olofsson (Children of Bodom, Exodus), visually encapsulates the EP’s brutal essence.
Having previously given their self-titled release a cursory listen without it making a lasting impression, I mean, it was decent, it just never ended up in my regular rotation. I approached Futility of the Flesh with tempered expectations. However, the opening title track immediately shattered any reservations. Kicking off with a monstrous riff reminiscent of Gojira, it plunges into a churning death metal groove, punctuated by guttural growls that evoke the genre’s early titans. This track alone defines the band’s legacy in my eyes.
“Septic Enslavement,” the EP’s other unreleased offering, delivers a groove-laden assault that’s irresistibly mosh-inducing—though at 51, my pit days might be behind me. A standout moment arrives around the 1:15 mark with a bass passage that channels the spirit of Mortification, adding a nostalgic yet fresh layer to the composition.
The EP also features a live rendition of “Neoteric Tribal Barbarism,” recorded at Rayfest in 2021, and it’s an absolute highlight. The track exudes a beefy, tight, and heavy energy that’s often elusive in live recordings. The band was in their element on stage, delivering a performance brimming with precision and raw intensity. Listening to it makes me wish I had experienced them live setting. This track stands as a powerful testament to their ability to dominate not just in the studio but also in the live arena.
Closing the collection is the 2015 version of “Cord of Three Strands,” offering a glimpse into the band’s earlier sound. While it rounds out the EP, albeit not as strong as the other songs on this EP, it serves as a stark reminder of what fans are losing with their disbandment.
While it’s bittersweet to bid farewell to Taking the Head of Goliath, this EP serves as a formidable final chapter, leaving both longtime fans and newfound listeners yearning for more.
Rating: 4.1/5
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