Album Review: Carnifex – More Than Misery (Sumerian Records)

Deathcore titans Carnifex are back with their brand-new new album, ‘More than Misery’, out on November 6th via Sumerian Records.

I really dig this album, but I do have to admit that there’s not a whole lot of innovation going on here. Carnifex are a great deathcore band and here, they have focused on delivering their heaviest and wildest sounding record yet. Deathcore 101, turned up to 11.

I am not complaining, and nor should you, as there are plenty of cool touches that give it more oomph and help ensure that the mind doesn’t become numb through the sheer destructive intensity of the heaviness. Touches like the cinematic, melodic, and atmospheric flair that crops up throughout. Notably at the start as the intro, …and I Held Hands with Death, transitions into the title track, and how bloody epic The Process of Pain sounds.

Overall, it’s all about the deathcore though and Carnifex unleash it in eye-watering and ear-bleeding fashion. Creating an album that feels animalistic and so very deliberately dangerous. From Roses & Rotting Corpses through to Licking Love from a Knife, it’s non-stop. Sure, there are colourful flashes and moments of flair, but chances are, all anyone is going to remember, at first, is the eye gouging, mouth busting, and nose crunching sound of Carnifex’s deathcore.

Though, every so often we do get tracks that really manage to capture the feel of both their heavy and cinematic side, such as the bright, but brutal, No Gods Only Graves. One of my favourite tracks on the album. Another is Coffin Crowned King, which comes with expressive soft guitar melody at the start and near the end. Finally, I do have to acknowledge that as wild and merciless Licking Love from a Knife is, it is a track with a lot of layers. Which should go some way as to explain it’s near eight-minute length. A big and bold finish from a band who have pushed themselves to make an album that defines them.

I would say, considering the appealing carnage on offer overall, they’ve nailed it. Carnifex have focused and homed in on what works and it pays off in seriously head banging style.

Carnifex – More than Misery Track Listing:

1. …and I Held Hands with Death
2. More than Misery
3. The Process of Pain (ft. Chaney Crabb)
4. No Gods Only Graves
5. Coffin Crowned King
6. Roses & Rotting Corpses
7. Only the Dead
8. Gothic Serpent
9. Heart Made of Teeth
10. Licking Love from a Knife

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