News Hit

Label: Victory Records

American death metal is making a comeback, withstanding the test of time to bring albums like Hell Chose Me onto the market of one of the most important subgenres of music. This third album from Carnifex is darker than their previous efforts, but if you’re after some of the most distinctive elements of death metal – offensive lyrics, prolonged screams, furious guitar solos and rapid drumming – then you are in for a treat.

Approaching this album from a point outside of death metal fandom, one would be forgiven for writing off the songs as sounding the same, the lyrics as incomprehensible and a general lack of evolution in each of the tracks.  But there is talent under the sound of a stubbed toe, and the lyrics can hardly be considered offensive as they can hardly be heard in the screamed diction.

While the opening track “Hell Chose Me” is a bit ordinary, the album takes a turn for the better in the second song “Dead Archetype”. It’s almost catchy, in a suicidal sort of way. The epileptic guitar is clean cut, with repetition of background instrumentation and the synchronization of lyrics to melody in what I think is a ‘chorus’ section, making it quite an interesting listening experience. There is however the problem of its conclusion being far too abrupt.

The next standout song is “Heartless”. From the title alone one can expect a difference of sound. But this track opens quietly, with non-accompanied electric guitar rising with the progression of runs. Echoing chords, minimal drumming (for this genre anyway) and some slowed sections, make this a death metal ballad. Of course screaming appears after this romanticized opening, but the introduction is actually quite a pleasant listening experience. This song is also quite different in that some of its lyrics are actually comprehensible to the human ear.

Other tracks to listen out for are “Sorrowspell”, which does a lot with the minor guitar focus and can almost be heard in an urgent film action scene; “The Liar’s Funeral” which, like “Heartless” has more comprehensible lyrics against another catchy ‘chorus’ section; and the closing track “Genocide Initiative”. This final track may be standard for the beginning, but the ending fades out then back in, to reveal a purposeful echo of note changes, before again fading out in a romanticized finale.   

Overall Carnifex does a lot with the material and subgenre they work with. Echoed repetitions alongside an exploration of minor tones are some of the elements of Hell Chose Me to look forward to. If you’re not a death metal fan, chances are you’ll just think the songs sound the same. If however you enjoy that sinister commentary on the world and don’t mind your music sounding like a root canal, give Carnifex a listen. If anything else, the CD can always be used as a frisbee.

By Elise Hughan