Decapitated – Carnival Is Forever (2011)
This record is a triumph in every sense of the word. Rising from the flames of tragedy with a new line up and continuing to make music which can rival the glories of a simply stellar career in extreme metal, Decapitated deserve some serious respect. There are certainly more extreme form of extreme metal than this, but few bands can compete with Decapitated in either intensity or the relentless quality of their material. In Waclan Kieltyka they have one of metal’s very best guitar players: his filthy granite tone is captivating, his piston-like right hand is electrifying, and his ability to serve up riff after dazzling riff and stupefying solos is remarkable. Adding groove – tons of groove – to this thrash-tinged death metal, the guitars here are complemented by atmospherics which are almost industrial in their hues. Even though the guitars and drums are essentially in line, it never becomes mechanic, and the riffs flow out of Kieltyka with an appeal which most extreme metal musicians do not possess. Even when the music is angular, that groove makes it surprisingly captivating; and the neck wrenching drum patterns of Kerim Lechner will grip and shake all before them into acceptance. Itemising the songs would be an exercise in futility in trying to convey the force of what is, in essence, a truly compelling barrage of 21st century metal. Some of it is truly terrifying. All of it deserves our respect.
Perhaps ‘Carnival Is Forever’ is not as complete as Decapitated’s early recordings. Perhaps still finding their feet with their new line up, there is not really a beginning-middle-end here: this is not so much an album, but a collection of excellent songs. But if it is a sign of things to come being just as bright as what proceeded them, ‘Carnival Is Forever’ must be heralded as a true joy for all extreme metal bands.
This record is a triumph in every sense of the word. Rising from the flames of tragedy with a new line up and continuing to make music which can rival the glories of a simply stellar career in extreme metal, Decapitated deserve some serious respect. There are certainly more extreme form of extreme metal than this, but few bands can compete with Decapitated in either intensity or the relentless quality of their material. In Waclan Kieltyka they have one of metal’s very best guitar players: his filthy granite tone is captivating, his piston-like right hand is electrifying, and his ability to serve up riff after dazzling riff and stupefying solos is remarkable. Adding groove – tons of groove – to this thrash-tinged death metal, the guitars here are complemented by atmospherics which are almost industrial in their hues. Even though the guitars and drums are essentially in line, it never becomes mechanic, and the riffs flow out of Kieltyka with an appeal which most extreme metal musicians do not possess. Even when the music is angular, that groove makes it surprisingly captivating; and the neck wrenching drum patterns of Kerim Lechner will grip and shake all before them into acceptance. Itemising the songs would be an exercise in futility in trying to convey the force of what is, in essence, a truly compelling barrage of 21st century metal. Some of it is truly terrifying. All of it deserves our respect.
Perhaps ‘Carnival Is Forever’ is not as complete as Decapitated’s early recordings. Perhaps still finding their feet with their new line up, there is not really a beginning-middle-end here: this is not so much an album, but a collection of excellent songs. But if it is a sign of things to come being just as bright as what proceeded them, ‘Carnival Is Forever’ must be heralded as a true joy for all extreme metal bands.
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