From Brazil comes a dark force called Carnified. This death/black metal band started in 1994, released their debut album 'Where the Gods Bleed' in 2001, and fell into hibernation in 2005...

...Only to return in 2021! 'Nocturna' may only be a single, but what a single it is. With this powerful song and a cool music video for it (horror movies inspired work) is really striking. And the song features one Sarah Jezebel Deva providing some incantations, soprano voice and regular singing.

The band sounded Mediterranean back in the day with their melodic black metal, but during the years, their outlet has mutated quite a bit. 'Nocturna' is a tad more about death metal. It has a modern tinge to it, especially because of the big drums sound. The riffing is heavy hacking and thick tremolo picking, adding to the omnious atmosphere. Some choir-like synthesizers are utilized. The rhythms are varying throughout the song, from blast beat to double kick drumming patterns, and mid-tempo stuff. The main vocals are insane, throat lacerating higher voices and shrieking, plus lower growling.

Somewhere between bands like Kronos (France) and their countrymates Chaos Synopsis, Carnified are a force to be reckoned. Energetic and brutal piece of Brazilian metal from this trio!

Rating: 7½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
10/31/2021 17:43