Review by Jason Guest

Decapitated have suffered the kind of loss that would put any other band permanently out of commission. With the untimely death of Vitek (Voggs’ brother) and Covan falling into a coma following a road accident, Decapitated were no more. Following his tenure with Vader, in 2009 Vogg decided to reform the band and brought in Austrian drummer Kerim "Krimh" Lechner, vocalist Rafał Piotrowski and bassist Filip "Heinrich" Hałucha. Carnival Forever is the first album from the band since 2006. And what a return it is!

Opener ‘The Knife’ makes no bones about what to expect from this album with its warp-speed onslaught and is undoubtedly one of the best opening tracks to be heard this year. ‘Homo Sum’ batters through with a palm-muted riff, later layered with warped guitar lines that wind their way through the pummelling staccato rhythms. The title track, at almost nine minutes, covers a vast quantity of ground with a sullen guitar intro that is soon displaced by chords so dark they make Varg Vikernes look like a bible-toting Christian singing the Lord’s praise with the von Trapps. The volcano-deep grooves of ‘404’ will have the metalcore kids and djent gents weeping and wishing they could grow the kind of sphericals that could manufacture this kind of might. ‘A View from a Hole’ is a fiend of a tune packed with merciless tech death morsels. ‘Pest’ is densely packed with blast-beats and riffs so heavy it’s like being lashed to a missile and fired into a warhead factory. And in the dizzying aftermath, ‘Silence’ enters, acting as the calm after the storm, a quiet and introspective piece, lest we forget.

There is nothing funereal about this album. There is not one iota of futility, despair, or surrender. There is just innovation, creativity, and awe-inspiring death metal at its very best. Symbolically, this is a true testament to perseverance and determination. Musically, it’s difficult to find fault. The performances are all exceptional. Drummer Krimh keeps the album moving with his incredible versatility and prowess. Piotrowski’s vocals are the stuff wrath is made of. Halucha’s bass growls and snarls. And, of course, Vogg’s guitar work is assuringly astounding. Loaded with groovy tech riffs that overflow with intent and purpose and ludicrously enjoyable tunes, this is disgracefully vicious. Decapitated are forward-thinking musicians that have produced another mighty slab of cutting edge death metal. What is frightening about Carnival is Forever, however, is what will come next…

www.decapitatedband.net