DECAPITATED

Polish death metallers Decapitated were struck by tragedy in 2007 at a time when their popularity was undoubtedly at a high point and the momentum of the band was in full flow. On tour in Russia, at the end of October, their bus was involved in a collision with a truck which caused the untimely death of drummer Witold "Vitek" Kieltyka at the age of just 23 and seriously injured vocalist Adrian "Covan" Kowanek. With sole original member Waclaw "Vogg" Kieltyka initially opting not to continue with Decapitated, he had a change of mind early in 2009 and assembled the new lineup of himself, Kerimh "Krimh" 'Lechner on drums, vocalist Rafal "Rasta" Piotrowski and Filip "Heinrich" Halucha assuming bass duties (although the latter has since left). Wisely opting not to hit the studio immediately, this new incarnation of Decapitated embarked on a series of headline tours across three continents as well as summer festival appearances to become a well oiled machine prior to recording a note. So after a year or so of refining their art on the live stage, here we have a brand new studio album under the Decapitated moniker, 'Carnival is Forever'. The first thing to hit me as opening track 'The Knife' commences is the unpolished, though resonant sounding, production of the music which has a very natural feel. It's not unpolished to its detriment, rather there's a nice organic feel where songs haven't been marred by overzealous Pro Tools usage. Vogg's guitar sound, apart from the clean passages, is raw and rasping throughout which adds to the unsettling dissonance and menacing vibe that's inherent within the actual compositions and their effectively discordant melodies. Together with drums that have a refreshingly acoustic feel and some resonantly pounding bass, it's the perfect sonic backdrop for Piotrowski to bark out his guttural death growls. It's evident that the individual talents of these four musicians combine perfectly in what is effectively a fresh start and new chapter in Decapitated's history, and Vogg can assuredly feel satisfied that he made the right decision in continuing the band (and with the correct choice of musicians, of course). However, as impressive a release as this is, I can't help but think the new lineup have yet to hit full stride as the songwriting does occasionally dip in quality. When they do hit their stride, as I'm sure they will, with a greater compositional consistency, then Decapitated will, once again, be a death metal force to be reckoned with in their recorded output. Alas, 'Carnival is Forever', for me, is a great record rather than a brilliant one.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Nuclear Blast

Album

CARNIVAL IS FOREVER

Review by Mark Holmes

RUNNING TIME:

42:30

RELEASE DATE:

15th July 2011

TRACK LISTING

1) The Knife
2) United
3) Carnival is Forever
4) Homo Sum
5) 404
6) A View From A Hole
7) Pest
8) Silence

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Poland

"...the individual talents of these four musicians combine perfectly in what is effectively a fresh start and new chapter in Decapitated's history, and Vogg can assuredly feel satisfied that he made the right decision in continuing the band..."