Carnifex – Until I feel nothing

10/24/11 Victory Records.

Carnifex was an old English term for a public executioner that would execute people from the lowest ranks of life , seems fitting right? “Until I Feel Nothing” is the fourth full length album (third off of Victory Records) for these San Diego death metallers, and it’s as heavy as they come. Like all delicious Carnifex, they mix low tuned guitars, guttural vocals, cymbal abuse, and snare blasts, to make one great listen.

Recurring words I found in my notes: Fast, in your face, aggressive, low, gritty, consistent brutality, dark, gritty, loud as hell, fast as hell.

The album opens with an eerie intro, probably the music you'll hear on your descent to hell, involving some keys and the traditional Carnifex ingredients of breakdowns, ridiculous drum work, and terrifying vocals like "FUCK THE WORLD" that'll slap the beard off your face. The tracks that follow are a great audible way to show you what Carnifex is all about, from "Wretched Entropy" to the title track, they’ll suck you in and keep your ears happy and listening. "Never Forgive Me" shows their skills and true colors and adds a touch of orchestrated beauty towards the end, while keeping to their darkness (as always) and screaming “Don’t bother calling my name, I’ll be watching the world decay.” The title track (ironically) is the summary of the whole album, and band even. Very aggressive and in your face much like all of Carnifex's art, and the next few tracks seem to follow suit. With "A Grave To Blame" being the grittiest track on the album, and "We Spoke Of Lies" being the loudest and fastest, they both lead in to the final track "Deathwish", which is the perfect ending to an assault of an album.

“Until I feel Nothing” is 30 minutes of perfect Carnifex, pure eardrum abuse, and aggression. The guys are really going back to their roots yet still keeping it fresh, which is exactly what fans want and feed on. Even before flipping through the lyrics book, from your first listen you can tell this is about their disgust with the condition and state of the world and its occupants and their hatred towards both. This album is another great addition to your metal library, from a great band. LISTEN TO CARNIFEX.