ALBUM REVIEW: Carnal Tomb – Embalmed In Decay

German old school Death Metal mob CARNAL TOMB are back with their 3rd album, out via Testimony Records on November 3rd.

An eerie yet concise introduction begins our descent into the tombs with a simplistic but effective moment of synths and clean guitars. Quickly jumping into a meaty onslaught of chainsaw riffing, barbaric drums and grisly vocals, the churning ferocity has a crushing mix with thick bass adding a chunky low end while searing leads cut the mix just as effectively. Those unfamiliar with this horde will soon be able to tell this is a band with lots of experience under their bullet belts as the monolithic Death Metal assaults weaves between grooves, gloom and thrashing artillery with ease. For me Carnal Tomb always stood out as a bit more interesting than some other Swedish Death Metal worshippers (as much as I adore the sound) for their more dynamic songs hold many twists and turns while retaining the savage grooves that must be adhered to. I can immediately tell that their new opus will certainly not disappoint.

Their aggressive and yet varied approach plunges through crypt-bursting grooves and unleashing pure hellfire with that naturally crafted, timeless 90s Death Metal feel totally enshrouding all with a cloak of morbidity. Although their execution has that barbaric and primitive charm to it with a feral energy from the band, the actual musicianship and production is magnificent. Offering thick and gnarly tones without compressing them into a tepid singularity, Carnal Tomb go for an all-consuming vortex of violent instrumentation and equally visceral vocals. Their ability to conjure atmospherics with simple graven leads or a more dread-inducing riff is sublime while never stealing from the convulsive momentum that remains strong throughout. It is these subtle flavours that make the record feel that bit more imaginative while keeping it simple enough to hold on to their primordial ferocity at every moment. For instance “Draped In Disgust” goes into quite dissonant and unusual territories. Perhaps Katharsis (as seen in the band photo on a t-shirt) influenced this. Combined with their punishing Death Metal, there is no denying it adds a certain intensity to inject song more unhinged elements.

Barrelling into oblivion right up until the end, the entire album is a constant charge into the crypt with that reeking stench of 90s Death Metal lingering after the record finishes spinning. While the obvious homages to Entombed, Dismember, Interment and so on can be heard, there is also sections that could equally be attributed to Autopsy, Cianide, Convulse, Funebre or many other titans of the past. With this said, Carnal Tomb have an identity of their own that should not be discredited, their unfathomably heavy and catchy songwriting is gripping and rewards you with the grotesque spectres those bands summoned in a new manner. This rekindling (as opposed to repackaging) of the past is a key difference between the likes of this band and many of their contemporaries. I think the sincerity can be heard in what they do, the feel being perfect while not a simple rehashing. This is underlined by the aforementioned experimentation that may stay within the parameters of Extreme Metal but does so in a more uniquely daring way. Whatever went into it, there is no denying this is the most lacerating cut from Carnal Tomb to date.

Another slab of rotten putrescence from one of Germany’s leading old school Death Metal forces. Inarguably refining their sound with each step while keeping it totally on the archaic sepulchral path, it is superb to see a band grow without sacrificing what made them cool to begin with. Here we can hear just that. Carnal Tomb remain a reliable torchbearer for 90s Death Metal with their crushing soundscapes to be found on “Embalmed In Decay” and I am confident any fan of real brutality will adore this record.