Carnosus
Visions of Infinihility


4.0
excellent

Review

by Robert Garland STAFF
March 2nd, 2023 | 60 replies


Release Date: 02/10/2023 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Death metal’s newest poster boys.

If you’re even a little bit like me, the loss of The Black Dahlia Murder vocalist, Trevor Strnad sent vibrations through my listening plane. I was at a loss, personally because those guys would help shape my more extreme listening tendencies. Metal had lost such an influential voice. Further to that, it was because I knew no matter how much I compared, called, or wanted it, Trevor’s unique snarls and growls would not pop up in the near future. Nor would I be able to see his energy take over a crowd, infectious to a nth degree. Moving on, it would make sense that I’d find a sense of familiarity with Sweden’s Carnosus. There’s an alignment here in sound, in energy. Carnosus’ soundscape sits well in the realms of technicality, melodicism, brutality and groove. Of all these, Visions of Infinihility ticks some ***ing boxes. The void left behind, temporarily filled. Yay!

For the uninitiated, the rambling muse above might seem a bit vague, names dropped for the eventual relevancy of a reviewer simply clutching at straws to get a point across, but the tenacious and winding bite of “Ossein Larcenist” is simply comparable. Vocalist Jonatan Karasiak initiates this with an instantly dynamic use of growls, blackened shrieks and mid-ranged screams. It’s versatile, ranged and downright impressive hearing Karasiak go through the motions. Not to be left behind is the Carnosus instrumental facet. Seven string emulators Rickard Persson and Marcus Jokela Nyström tear through frenzied, spidery riffs and bludgeoning displays of snaking melodies, while the tech-death flamboyance of the drums fly everywhere. “Fermenting Blastospheres of Future Putridity”, while a mouthful is chock-full of enough riffs to make any fan of Revocation moist around the lips (or knees?). Karasiak’s vocal dexterity flexes again and sickening, almost-black metal like screams soar above rapid-fire blast beats and sprawling guitar compositions.

Even the more thrash-centric beginnings found a la “Devourer of Light” just sound like they were custom made for Visions of Infinihility’s take on melodically charged, yet completely technically proficient death metal. The spidery notes return with fervor, while Karasiak fills every spare nook. Despite my attention to the album’s strong vocal efforts, I can't help but appreciate just how well executed the guitarist’s melodies are—especially when it comes to the solo of the track just mentioned. These solos aren’t everywhere. Visions of Infinihility uses flamboyance at this level in a much-needed moderation, sticking instead to blowing listeners minds with shockwave riffs, blasts and all other creators of ‘brutal’ moments.

Overall, Visions of Infinihility’s first half is just as strong as its latter. That’s not a small victory and in the search of weakness the tracks stand both individually and together. If there is a crux here, it’s only that some of Visions of Infinihility’s parts may blend under the steam of their own brutal weight. That said, you’d have to be the worst sort of backwards detractor to not appreciate the slabs of metal Carnosus are putting down on their 2023 effort. Visions of Infinihility is ear candy for the metal aficionado, the guitarist and die-hard The Black Dahlia Murder fan pearl-clutching at anything Trevor Strnad. Maybe it’s unfair to lump such expectations on an emerging band from Sweden, but they are flattering comparisons meant only to convey the potential impact a band like this could have. Carnosus have hit an undetermined peak with their newest offering and while there’s no indication that Visions of Infinihility will be a solitary spark, but it sure is lightning.




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user ratings (76)
3.8
excellent


Comments:Add a Comment 
Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
March 2nd 2023


18288 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Time to load up the front page with metal.



Make Sput metal again.

AsleepInTheBack
Staff Reviewer
March 2nd 2023


10481 Comments


No don’t do it make sput dream pop again DAMMIT

also Pos

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
March 2nd 2023


18288 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Thanks babe

JohnnyoftheWell
Staff Reviewer
March 2nd 2023


62636 Comments


wow this might be the first good dm artwork I've seen this year. #posterboys living up to the brief !

Demon of the Fall
March 2nd 2023


35929 Comments


yes, I was attracted by the artwork!

and I've stayed for the TBDM comparisons, because those guys scratch a heavier-than-most, yet somehow insanely catchy approach to melodeath that the primitive part of my brain still requires from time to time. Nice review.

MarsKid
Emeritus
March 2nd 2023


21035 Comments

Album Rating: 3.3

Maybe I'll give this another shot but I didn't get much out of this. Solid, pretty good, but overall nothing to come back to probably.



Artwork is indeed beautiful though

Vinnymcscoop
March 2nd 2023


1672 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Such a great album, I like how simple and consistent they made it. It doesn't need to be revolutionary, it just needs that basic 2010s death metal flavor.

MarsKid
Emeritus
March 2nd 2023


21035 Comments

Album Rating: 3.3

check Wretched Fate my man

TheNotrap
Staff Reviewer
March 2nd 2023


19076 Comments

Album Rating: 3.8

I don't think I've ever listened to these guys, gotta check

Vinnymcscoop
March 2nd 2023


1672 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

@marskid ok

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
March 3rd 2023


18288 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Let me know how you go Fern, love to see your take on this.

JohnnyoftheWell
Staff Reviewer
March 3rd 2023


62636 Comments


this is kinda solid
and probably kinda safe
and hella crisp
and definitely lacks character
but is good maybe hmmmm

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
March 3rd 2023


18288 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I’m sensing a somewhat posi/safe/vibe score from Johnny

ChrimzonCanine
March 3rd 2023


2080 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Artwork is a Symbolic ripoff through and through

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
March 3rd 2023


18288 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Is that a complaint though?

sizeofanocean
March 3rd 2023


3519 Comments


Is it anything like Symbolic though?

combustion07
March 3rd 2023


12822 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Cover art is amazing! I definitely see a massive Symbolic influence in the art although it's done in a completely different style. Both covers rule.



Jammed the first two tracks off this and it's pretty solid stuff. Will definitely come back to it later on today when I have more time. Dope review as always. Big RIP to Trevor!

sizeofanocean
March 3rd 2023


3519 Comments


I DON'T MEAN TO DWELL

DarkSideOfLucca
March 3rd 2023


18532 Comments


Uh

This is the best death metal album I've heard in an insanely long time

mindleviticus
March 3rd 2023


10631 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Yeah this slaps



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