Artist: Carnal Forge
Label: Century Media
Release Date: 1/22/02
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Title: Please... Die! Artist: Carnal Forge Label: Century Media Release Date: 1/22/02 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Abyss's Review:
This band’s previous effort, Firedemon, was a prime example of quality Swedish metal, and this, their new release, continues their spot at the head of the pack. Not that this album is anything we haven’t heard before, if anything it sounds a like they’ve started listening to The Haunted a little more often, but it remains well written, well produced, and well executed.
Longtime fans will appreciate the familiarity of the sound as much as hook of the songs. The dual guitar attack remains fresh, even though it’s been used a thousand times by a thousand bands, due to a knack for songwriting that keeps the disc running along at a brisk pace. Basically, if you liked their last album you’re going to like this one just as much. These guys maintain their intensity, finding a sound somewhere between modern-day The Haunted and old Crown of Thorns. The melodies are effective when implemented, but do nothing to take away from the vicious undercurrent that flows through each and every song.
"Metal snobs might fault this one as nothing new, but I’ll take a quality band doing what they do best over a band branching out away from their strengths anytime." The vocals are halfway between a thrash scowl and death growl, but the cadence maintains a fluidity that begs one to sing along like the thrash days of old. A perfect example of this is my early favorite, “No Resurrection”, which I defy you to listen to and not sing along with the chorus (once you learn the words, that is). And that’s pretty much how the whole album stacks up.
Metal snobs might fault this one as nothing new, but I’ll take a quality band doing what they do best over a band branching out away from their strengths anytime.
Death's Review:
Carnal Forge just keeps getting better with each release. Please... Die! is a killer collection of technical yet chaotically aggressive thrash riffs which push the boundaries of extreme while maintaining a catchiness and a groove that are sure to set necks a-snappin' all across the globe in early 2002. Think of the controlled, tight, intricate and choatic abandon of the hyper-aggro sound which originated on the fast parts of Machine Head's Burn My Eyes, continued to show up in some later-era Pantera riffing (particularly on stuff like the blast beat sections of Far Beyond Driven's "Shattered" and the like) and then suddenly melded with a more Carcass/Napalm Death influence to form the foundation of At the Gates and bands like The Haunted today.
"A killer collection of technical yet chaotically aggressive thrash riffs."
There is a respect for intense thrashy riffing and tight, enveloping drumming throughout Please... Die! which is not only admirably executed but makes you want to be playing this stuff yourself. One listen to the record on headphones while imagining yourself in this band should be all it takes to get any thrash minded guitar player or drummer on board. The melodic catchiness of Soilwork and the pure aggression of The Haunted are both present in the Carnal Forge sound, and the early Testament roots are apparent if you are willing to search for them. Still, Carnal Forge may be more powerfully aggressive than any of them. The songs are also varied enough to maintain your interest amongst the plethora of post-Gothenburg melodic death bands out there today and the production is near-perfect for this type of music. Please... Die! really is a standout release. If you can appreciate chaotic and extreme melodic death-thrash, you have to get this record. The best I've heard from Carnal Forge yet, and (although it is about as early as it can possibly be to make such a statement) the album is surely a potential contender for my top ten list of 2002.
"Although it is about as early as it can possibly be to make such a statement, the album is surely a potential contender for my top ten list of 2002."
Hel's Review:
With such sweet sentiments expressed by their song titles, such as “Please... Die! (Aren't You Dead Yet)” and “Welcome To Your Funeral”, not to mention the uplifting, “Butchered, Slaughtered, Strangled, Hanged”, you know immediately that this is a band who cares. Kid yourself not, this is a band whose priorities lie in ripping your face off with the ferocity of their riffs.
"Kid yourself not, this is a band whose priorities lie in ripping your face off with the ferocity of their riffs." This has long been the goal of Carnal Forge, and I believe they do an admirable job of it. Combining all the great elements of death metal, they alternately rampage through their riffs, settle back into a brutal groove, and deliver a death metal shriek that will eventually corrode the paint off of your walls. I must admit, my two day crash course in Please…Die! was totally entertaining.
Carnal Forge has maintained the same level of excellent musicianship that garnered 5 skulls for their last effort. The production on this record is professional and clear. The music is uncompromisingly heavy. While it is a somewhat uncomfortable feeling to give the first record up for review in 2002 the coveted 5 skulls, I cannot withhold it. Kick your new metal year off with a bang, check out Please…Die!
"The music is uncompromisingly heavy."
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