PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
@planetmosh reviews Die Without Hope .@carnifex out on .@nuclearblasteu
A band coming out of hiatus, a year-and-a-half of writing and a new record deal, for Californian quintet Carnifex, this was just what they needed as they signed to Nuclear Blast, in what they describe as a ‘turning point’ and has resulted in the recent release of their fifth full length studio album ‘Die Without Hope’.
From the very outset this is a record that is visceral and intense in its delivery. Shawn Cameron’s ferocious drumming hardly lets up throughout the 10 tracks on offer. While Scot Lewis’s vocals sound deep and animalistic, but not like any animal I’ve ever heard, more like something that has been spawned from the deepest, darkest pit of hell.
There are few let ups in the intensity except for the odd breakdown and the classy duelling guitar solo in ‘Dark Days’ which also features some uncharacteristic piano and orchestration. Although the piano & orchestration return briefly for the musical interlude of ‘Reflections of the Forgotten,’ that is short lived as the album closer ‘Where Light Dies’ again disseminates any sense that there may be a let-up in the musical onslaught.
‘Die Without Hope’ could well be a lesson in modern death metal, it is brutal & unrelenting, its style is juxtaposed in a space that has the music sounding both raw & well produced, the musicianship is exemplary while there seems to be an honesty born out in the lyrics and the passion with which they are delivered. There definitely does seem to be a more focused approach from the band on this release, and maybe that hiatus and the backing of a new label were just what the guys in Carnifex needed to realise the potential that there might just be in this new set of songs. On this evidence I can well imagine them ripping up festival stages and venues all over the place this summer.
Track Listing:
1.Salvation Is Dead
2.Dark Days
3.Condemned To Decay
4.Die Without Hope
5.Hatred and Slaughter
6.Dragged Into The Grave
7.Rotten Souls
8.Last Words
9.Reflection Of The Forgotten
10.Where The Light Dies
Band Lineup:
Scott Lewis- Vocals
Shawn Cameron- Drums
Jordan Lockrey – Guitar
Cory Arford- Guitar
Fred Calderon – Bass
Band Links:
http://facebook.com/CarnifexMetal
http://twitter.com/carnifex
http://youtube.com/officialcarnifex
http://instagram.com/carnifex
- 9.99
