Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Album Review: "Ghosts" by Carnalation

Ghosts
Lately, I've been on a kick where there's been too little metal, so I'm kind of back on the metal track.

But tracks are made of metal, so there we go.

Today we're headed to Finland.

Finland, Finland, Finland, the country where I quite want to be...Eating breakfast or dinner...

Carnalation is a newish act on the scene. They formed to play a festival in their native Seinäjoki, Finland. 

Since then, they began to gain some acclaim and better bookings and eventually released their debut EP, Doomsday Diaries in 2010. Years later, we're now treated to their fist release for Inverse Records, Ghosts.

Carnalation
Obviously this band is Scandinavian.

That sound is very hard to mistake, but it's not black metal. We just had that the other day, but it's what I'm told is blackened death metal.

There's that brittle overdrive, the glassy drums, but the vocals don't have that monotone growl.

In fact the vocals here are emotive, well emoting anger. Aside from the slight forays into melodic singing, this album is full on shouted growls.

They are definitely something I can get behind. The rhythm section is also exemplary.

The bass, with its clean sound, creates a stark contrast to the high gain guitars. Because of its cleanliness, it's clearly audible below the din.

The drumming is also top notch. There's no over usage of blast beats, keeping them powerful and refreshing. They're also not too high up in the mix, which is always great.

The guitars really shine on this record. Aside from the blazing speed (also displayed by all members), there are long melodic solos, pace changing arpeggios, and yes shredding.

This band succeeds on its ability to work as a cohesive unit. The songs feature varied changes that often times would have lesser bands falling over rather than completing them.

Anger. Musicality. Technical ability. This EP only makes us want for their proper Inverse Records debut all the more.

Release: 6/12/15
Genre: Death Metal
Label: Inverse Records
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