Album Preview: Carnage Carnival – Carnage Carnival

I know me well enough to recognize how partial I am to original, melodious metal that crosses the genre boundaries. Carnage Carnival’s blackened thrash/groove delivers just that kind of music.

As I’ve already mentioned elsewhere, I’d proudly and confidently put this band on stage at any metal concert, anywhere. Their debut album sparkles. It was released on 1 December and I’ve yet to listen to it with my in-detail ears, but what I have heard is sweet.

The guys have saved me some time and effort (I am notoriously lazy) by summing up their approach very succinctly: “The band takes influence from various types of extreme metal, with a strong black metal influence in the way the guitar riffs are written, and have an odd obsession with ’70s prog rock which brings odd time signatures into play. The lyrical content consists of Greek, Norse and biblical themes.”

It happens that they are based in Durban, less than two hours from where I goof off as much as possible in the Zululand town of Eshowe. That’s not why I’m writing about them. Their debut puts a world-class stamp on them.

The line-up consists of Chase Drewett (bass), Matt Brown (lead vocals), Seth Parkin (drums), Kris Xenopoulos (lead guitar and vocals) and Gino Guimaraes (guitar).

Meet Carnage Carnival on Facebook here.
Go here to check out their album.