CARNALATION – Ghosts
- by Matt Coe
- Posted on 30-07-2015
This Finnish band set their sights on brutal destruction mode, playing a style of death/grind that features insane double bass frenzy, speedy riffs, and bellows from the grave vocally. "Ghosts" is Carnalation’s latest offering, a 5 song EP that resonates well for those into Carcass, Napalm Death, and possibly a touch of At the Gates. The melodic portions come out through many of the guitar harmonies sprinkled about during the intro moments of "Passengers" or the slightly more controlled tempo control for the mid-section of opener "Drown in Silver".
You always worry that sometimes bands that perform in such an aggressive manner lose sight of hooks or control – not so with Carnalation as they understand dynamic transitions make the next bullet train salvo that much heavier and impactful. Anssi Rissa militant screams and growls reverberate against the riff/progressive rhythm tennis match, working to the tee on my favorite cut "Against the Burning Sky".
Lacerating and intent to maim, "Ghosts" achieves and executes all it promises in a scant 24 minutes.