Februus - Construction of Conflict

Hey everyone, how’s it going? I have an album in front of me that I don’t want to underestimate, so I’ll get straight to the point :).

Some albums make an impact on the first listen, while others reveal themselves over time. "Construction of Conflict" belongs to the latter group. With a structure that may seem complex at first, riffs that gain more meaning with every listen, and an atmosphere built layer by layer, it patiently rewards the listener.

If we were to define this album, calling it "progressive death metal" would be accurate; however, that description still falls short. Because Februus uses progression not for technical showmanship, but to strengthen its expression. The songs constantly shift shape, yet these changes never feel artificial or calculated. Every transition feels like a natural continuation of the idea that came before it.

At the undeniable center of the album are the guitars. While the drums and vocals perform their roles flawlessly, it is the guitars themselves that truly tell the story. The riffs do more than simply create rhythm; they build atmosphere, create tension, and take on the role of emotional guidance. For this reason, we can say that "Construction of Conflict" is, in every sense, a "guitar album."

The jazz-fusion influence felt throughout the album is another striking element. Rather than appearing through direct jazz riffs, this influence reveals itself through harmonic choices and unexpected chord progressions. One moment you hear a harmony rooted in progressive rock, and the next, the decayed guitar tone of Swedish death metal enters the picture. These transitions happen so naturally that there are no sharp boundaries between the genres.

Although there are moments that bring Opeth to mind, Februus takes a different approach. While Opeth often moves between aggression and tranquility, Februus never lowers the intensity. The songs constantly evolve, yet the dark atmosphere never disappears. In this sense, the album reminds me more of Edge of Sanity’s approach to storytelling. For listeners who appreciate Dan Swanö’s compositional mindset, "Construction of Conflict" offers a familiar yet far from imitative world.

Another remarkable aspect of the album is that it never completely abandons its brutal death metal roots. The embryonic brutal death riffs, especially noticeable in the guitar writing, are masterfully integrated into the progressive framework. These riffs never change the direction of the album; instead, they function as brief bursts that make the narrative harsher and darker.

One of the album’s standout tracks, "Measures of Escalation", is one of the clearest examples of Februus’ mastery of riff writing. With its layered guitar arrangements, constantly developing ideas, and dynamic structure, it almost single-handedly summarizes the character of the album. Despite appearing technical, its true strength lies in making its complexity serve the musical flow.

"Scavengers of the Forgotten Poor", meanwhile, represents the album’s darkest side. Here, the guitars feel less like they are attacking you and more like they are slowly rotting you from within. The sadness carried by the melodies is not heroic; it carries a sense of exhaustion and hopelessness. The balance established between brutal death metal-rooted chromatic riffs and Swedish melodic death metal harmonies gives the track a unique character.

Behind all of this stands Andreas Karlsson. Although he was not yet a widely recognized name during this period, he displayed a surprisingly mature compositional vision on his debut album. Building such a layered musical world largely around a single vision is not an easy task. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the album did not receive the attention it deserved; lacking big names or a strong reputation behind it was probably a disadvantage.

Nevertheless, "Construction of Conflict" stands in a different place when viewed from today’s perspective. This album is a reminder that beyond technical ability, strong riff writing, atmosphere creation, and natural song flow are what truly matter. It is an album that reveals new details with every listen, one that is not meant to be consumed hastily but discovered over time.

Perhaps that is exactly what makes it special.

"Construction of Conflict" is not the work of a band trying to prove its skills to the listener; it continues to exist as the creation of a musician patiently building his own musical language. And as the years go by, this is a record that will only strengthen its status as a hidden gem.

HÜS

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