Carnivore A.D. - Transmutation

Brooklyn, New York’s Carnivore was started way back in 1983 by Bassist/Vocalist Pete Steele,Drummer Louis Beato and Guitarist Keith Alexander (later Marc Piovanetti). They had two full-length releases, 1985’s S/T debut and 1987’s Retaliation both of which would have been mired in controversy were they made in today’s highly censorious climate. Tracks such as ‘Male Supremacy’and ‘U.S.A For U.S.A.’ were hardly subtle afterall. You see, Pete Steele aside from being a musicaltalent, was in possession of a bone dry, black sense of humour. I mean, come on, Type O hadsongs titled ‘Gravitational Constant: G = 6.67 × 10−8 cm−3 gm−1 sec−2"’ and ‘Kill All the White People’.

Carnivore would reunite at various points with alternate line-ups until Pete Steele’s sad, premature death in 2010 (RIP). Reforming in 2017 as Carnivore A.D., the band, with Beato’s blessing, have put out their first ever EP in the form of Transmutation which features a line-up of Bassist/VocalistBaron Misuraca (ex-Sheer Terror), Guitarist Chuck Lenihan (Ex Crumbsuckers, Genitorturers) and Drummer Joe Cangelosi (ex-Kreator, Whiplash, Massacre).

‘Prologue’ is in essence an introduction to the album and a predominantly instrumental piece laden with Black Sabbathish vibes which would have delighted Pete seeing as he was a massive fan of that band (along with The Beatles). Not too much else can be said about this one other than it sets us up nicely for what’s to come. ‘Transmutation’ the record’s first ‘proper’ track is absolutely vicious,recalling the Thrashier vibes to be found on the band’s aforementioned S/T debut. Chuck Lenihan was always a man with serious chops and boy is this highlighted here, with rapidfire soloing easily as good as anything that pompous buffoon Yngwie Malmsteen has to offer. Credit is due to the other band members as well who prove just as integral to the band’s sound, stunning all round. A change in pace is adopted with ‘I Stand Alone’ a track that could easily have been written and performed by Type O Negative. Basically its Gothic Doom Metal with some nice acoustic moments which demonstrates the trio’s keen understanding of dynamism. Think A Pale Horse Named Death onlyless Grungy and infinitely more engaging, an all-round excellently written number.

‘Social Decomposition’ could easily have come from the more crossover orientated Retaliation era, a record John Book from allmusic described as sounding like a ‘punkier Slayer’ and that’s exactly what you get here. A short sharp shock at just over two minutes, it recalls tracks such as ‘S.M.D.’and ‘Technophobia’, its that good. Finally we are met with ‘Mine is the Hand’ which curiously adopts an almost Groove Metal feel, the Guitar squeals not unlike that of Pantera’s Dimebag Darrell (also RIP). Slayer also come to the fore, but the slower tracks (for Slayer anyway) such as can be found on South of Heaven. This was quite a different sounding number for Carnivore and certainly not what I was expecting sonically. This certainly showed that while they may be paying tribute to what came before, there’s a determination to establish their own identity too. This approach affords for a really intriguing conclusion to the record.

I was amazed as anyone that we got any type of recording from Carnivore, now Carnivore A.D., but I can easily state with confidence that Pete would’ve been immensely proud. This is an outstanding piece of work which will hopefully give some much deserved exposure to the band and their legacy. I’m immensely hopeful for a follow-up full-length release and tour, and I’ll be there to review the former and attend the latter.