Technical dying metallic, greater than some other subgenre, defies language’s greatest efforts to pin it down. Carnosus’s second full-length Visions of Infinihility, like different charming tech dying albums, invitations two important approaches. You’ll be able to pursue the tenure-seeking technique and break down the album’s elaborate syncopations and dazzling instrumental runs in educational language, or you’ll be able to fanboy out and attempt to make your level by saying: “after which the lead guitar is all dweedly-dweedly-skronkity-squeeee-squiggity-squick-SKREEEEE(eeee).” Neither strategy satisfies completely, so let’s pursue an elusive center floor. However earlier than we do: whichever path you select, Visions of Infinihility is a fucking goddamn blast. Hearken to this album, and witness Carnosus use each a part of the tech dying buffalo to doc the rise of a “totalityrannic empire” bent on repopulating the world with a race of “cadaverine-like beings.” You received’t be fascinated with the idea a lot, although, not whereas these 9 thrash-inflected songs scramble your central nervous system. Submit for reprogramming; unwanted effects might embody having fun with what is bound to be top-of-the-line albums of the 12 months.
Carnosus mashes phrases and subgenres along with equal brio. Right here you’ll discover a number of the exuberance and talent of Archspire, together with the progressive thrash leanings of the mighty Revocation. The lead guitar traces by both Rickard Persson or Marcus Jokela Nyström evoke Ryan Knight’s work with The Black Dahlia Homicide on Ritual and Everblack. These solos twist and transmute, bending into shocking shapes as they shred over and previous prog and traditional rock influences. Right here’s how the band itself breaks down their sound: “Bulging chugs and spider riffs. 7-string-phat-bass brutalism. Blast beats and confused unga bunga. Throat-tearing growls and shrieks.” It’s that uncommon case of promo copy self-awareness, vividly summing up the weather swirling round on Visions of Infinihility.
The key ingredient, in fact, is songs–and Carnosus has 9 killer ones right here. Opener “Ossein Larcenist” units the template, constructing a sturdy edifice out of whiplash riffs that at all times keep a step forward of your potential to anticipate what’s coming. Right here, as elsewhere, vocalist Jonatan Karasiak deploys a manic vary of types and methods. He takes the identical massive canine/little canine strategy because the late Trevor Strnad; Karasiak works most frequently in a sort of low growl that turns into extra of a black metallic screech when he picks up the tempo. At their most frenetic, Karasiak’s vocals recall the aforementioned Archspire, however Karasiak takes a extra different strategy than Oliver Rae Aleron. Demented howls kick off “Fermenting Blastospheres of Future Putridity,” whereas “Fortress of Grief” contains a bizarre rolled-tongue interjection that works nearly like Aphex Twin’s signature drumbeats-on-speed. You received’t discover a dangerous monitor on Visions of Infinihility, however different highlights embody single “Calamity Crawl” and nearer “Amongst Worms it Was Whispered.”
There simply isn’t a lot to select aside on Carnosus’s sophomore effort. The thrash influences have been barely extra prevalent on debut Dogma of the Deceased, and I often wished for extra of them. On the entire although, the band’s sound has matured and cohered right into a fuller model of itself. They’ve developed a throttle that pumps the varied songwriting parts into these songs within the precise proper quantities. “Procession of Melancholy” is the very best instance of this. Over the course of 4 minutes, the monitor performs with tempo and dynamics and even introduces a smattering of unpolluted vocals within the refrain. Carnosus took this step ahead with out the steerage or sources of a label. Visions of Infinihility is self-released, though you wouldn’t comprehend it from the album’s sound {and professional} presentation. Just a few manufacturing points do current themselves on repeat listens. Your ears should go looking for the bass every now and then, and the entire thing clocks in at a less-than-optimal DR 4.
It doesn’t matter if you happen to’re carrying 4 thousand greenback headphones or a bullet belt–Visions of Infinihility ought to attraction to wonks, diehards, and metalheads all throughout the spectrum. The subsequent-level riffs alone stored me repeating songs time and again, to the purpose the place it took me some time to get all through the album. Once you do lastly get to a full playthrough, the sub-forty-minute run time goes down simple. With Visions of Infinihility, Carnosus proclaims themselves as vital gamers within the tech dying sport, and so they do it with a platter that’s by no means lower than a rollicking good time. Take pleasure in, and hold Visions of Infinihility shut at hand so you understand the place it’s come checklist season.
Score: 4.0/5.0
DR: 4 | Format Reviewed: FLAC
Label: Self Launched
Web sites: fb.com/Carnosus | carnosus.bandcamp.com
Releases Worldwide: February tenth, 2023
