Carnifex - Hell Chose Me
Rating
RIYL
Annotations of an AutopsyWhitechapel
Suicide Silence
Release Date
02/16/2010
Label
Victory RecordsTracklist
1. Hell Chose Me2. Dead Archetype
3. Entombed Monarch
4. Names Mean Nothing
5. Heartless
6. Sorrow Spell
7. The Scope of Obsession
8. By Darkness Enslaved
9. The Liar's Funeral
10. Genocide Initiative
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San Diegan deathcore band Carnifex has only been together for about five years now, but their influence is already wide-reaching across the scene. Initially being recognized by Victory Records for their LP, Dead in My Arms, the band was signed and subsequently released their second full length, The Diseased and the Poisoned, in 2008. Following a series of high-profile tours, the band gained a new legion of fans with their breakdown centric metal and continued to reap what they had sown. 2010 now greets fans with a new full-length album, entitled Hell Chose Me. The album retains the same melodic feel for a couple of songs that the band's earlier releases had, but at the same time, tracks seem more coherent and certainly seem to have pushed into a decidedly more death metal style. So how does the band's third full length release fare? Let's take a look.
From the get-go, it's obvious that this album will not be the same breakdown fest that 2008's The Diseased and the Poisoned was. Any syncopation of rhythm is now more concise and defined, certainly packing more punch and groove than the previous pit-prowler feel the band once had. “Hell Chose Me,” the title track, opens up the album with blazing performances from every member. Drummer Shawn Cameron lays down a show-stopping performance from the first note, proving that he has the chops to hang in the genre. Solid death metal riffing and a small breakdown complete the song, indicating a definite stylistic turn for the group. “Dead Archetype” features more of the same great riffing that the title track did and leads in an almost Odious Mortem-sounding intro for “Entombed Monarch”. The third track continues without losing a trace of energy all the way through, ending with a particularly powerful breakdown. “Names Mean Nothing” is the first hint at the band's previously more metalcore undertones, showing that they can still handle that as well. It of course evolves into a groove-laden deathcore track, featuring more of the same new style that the band is touting on this record. “Heartless” opens with an acoustic interlude that quickly makes way for a pretty standard track.
Introducing the second half of the album is “Sorrow Spell,” a stand-out track that will catch your attention, but doesn't branch out much more than containing the album's one and only guitar solo. “The Scope of Obsession” is a fairly standard track for the album, as well, up until the ending breakdown. Though simple, there is something oddly addictive about the echo on the vocals and the choppy rhythm, making it one of my favorite moments on the album. “By Darkness Enslaved” features the first appearance of bassist Fred Calderon by himself, and the song itself is a late in the game pick-me-up, proving to be one of the better and more energetic tracks on the album. “Genocide Initiative,” the album's final track, is definitely a heavy hitter. Lyrics like, “I pray to God this kills you; I pray this kills us both,” pepper the song, fitting perfectly over one of the more rhythm-based tracks on the release. Not only this, but Fred Calderon makes another appearance here, employing a sweeping technique that will definitely make you take a second listen. The song takes a relatively short bow and then fades into an acoustic outro, reminiscent of “Heartless”.
Hell Chose Me, though a solid release, isn't without its fair share of monotony (cue comments about deathcore as a whole). That said, however, the album elaborates on some pretty entertaining musical ideas, and for a band that was at one point just a very heavy metalcore band, the effort goes over well. There are a couple of stagnant tracks, but the ratio in terms of good to bad is pretty even. If you're a fan of the band already, the album is sure to be a hit with you. If not, it's probably going to be hit or miss, but I would definitely recommend a listen for fans of the genre. If you're looking for the ground-breaking deathcore release of the year, however, turn elsewhere.
--Cody Rogers
Comments
If the ratio of good to bad is pretty even, shouldn't the album deserve a 2.5/5?
Also, good review Cody - I don't know how you churn out all these deathcore reviews.
Minnesota
I liked this better than the band's past work, but it's nothing special... then again, most of the deathcore genre is nothing special.
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Minnesota
Also, I like looking through Cody's reviews list: Carnifex, A Hero A Fake, The Red Chord, Through the Eyes of the Dead, Black Dahlia Murder... and then John Mayer. WTF? :-)
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Raleigh, NC
Matt- I suppose "bad" wasn't the term I should've used there- That was more in reference to the boring songs. They're not bad songs, just boring, and for the most part, I think there are enjoyable things in most of the songs on this album. What usually keeps me from giving albums like this lower scores is my surprise to hear moments that I enjoy, which I don't expect coming in. A Hero A Fake, Through the Eyes of the Dead, Carnifex- My past three reviews have all had moments I would have never seen coming from any of these guys. Also, something I didn't mention in the review: The production on this album is the best I've heard this year. You can hear the attack from the bass, you can hear the drumming clearly without the kick sounding like a plastic bottle, and some moments just sound downright heavy. As for the amount of deathcore I do- I like to hear what my peers are listening to, and I like to see where the genre is headed. If I didn't have the option to review this album, I never would've downloaded it. :]
Rick - I'm a huuuuge John Mayer fan, haha!
I don't want to hijack the thread but that Crossroads song is pretty good, even though it's pretty simple and repetitive.
And about Carnifex, a friend hasbeen shoving this album down my throat for a few daysand I'llgive it a try, I don't like deathcore that much but I don't dislike the genre so I'll see......
Wisconsin
new through the eyes
new contortionist
new chelsea grin even
^ all better than carnifex by far
Minnesota
Wait, wait, wait... there is no way that the new Chelsea Grin is better than Carnifex. Their album was HORRIBLE.
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Atascadero, CA
yea that Chelsea Grin was atrocious.
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Wisconsin
i expected to hate it but it surprised me. it's not great by any means, but i hate carnifex.
however, no deathcore album is going to touch molotov solution's "the harbinger" anytime soon.