Album Review: Carnifex – Necromanteum (Nuclear Blast)

Nourished by nightmares and the throbbing pulse of pragmatic terror, deathcore band Carnifex have returned with their ninth full-length studio album, Necromanteum. It will be released on October 6th, 2023, via Nuclear Blast.

Carnifex never disappoint when it comes to delivering a massive amount of dark nastiness, and Necromanteum is no different. Yet, the cinematic layers they put throughout the album makes it a much more appealing beast. While it is undeniably harsh and heavy, their controlled approach makes for a stronger release.

It’s a galvanising start with the crashing instrumentation, guttural vocals, and epic atmosphere of Torn in Two. Inexplicably brutal, but extremely alluring. Yet, Carnifex hit an even greater high with Death’s Forgotten Children. A track of unrestrained deathcore savagery that features the delightful vocal talents of Chelsea Grin’s Tom Barber. A match-made in hell.

The wonderful cinematic touch returns with aplomb for the title track, where Carnifex reach deep into the depths and rip out the wriggling innards of chaos. Viciousness matched only by the layers of brash orchestration. This is one of the strongest tracks on the album.

Although there is absolutely nothing wrong with the brute-force speed of Crowned in Everblack, an even more egregious example of Carnifex’s darker side. It also just happens to have riffs plated in gold. Then there’s The Pathless Forest, a track with strong, thumping drumbeats, and How the Knife Gets Twisted, a track that shows off a Carnifex ghastlier than ever. Heavy doesn’t do it justice; it is the kind of nastiness that forces a gurn to spread over the face.

Nine albums in, Carnifex are sounding more and more intense. Whoever says that bands slow down as they go on, clearly have no idea about who they’re dealing with here. Carnifex are just going harder and heavier as the years tick by. Which makes this album a winner in anyone’s eyes. Capped off with the deathcore glory of Architect of Misanthropy, the startling blend of grandiose and guttural with Infinite Night Terror, the sheer manic power of Bleed More, and the gargantuan brutishness and layering of Heaven and Hell at Once.

Ten tracks long, and it still leaves you wanting more. Not bad, Carnifex.

Carnifex – Necromanteum Track Listing:

1. Torn in Two
2. Death’s Forgotten Children (feat. Tom Barber)
3. Necromanteum
4. Crowned in Everblack
5. The Pathless Forest
6. How the Knife Gets Twisted
7. Architect of Misanthropy
8. Infinite Night Terror
9. Bleed More
10. Heaven and Hell at Once

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