Carnal Forge, the co-creators of the Swedish Melo-Death movement, with In Flames and Soilwork, are back and in slamming form. Gun To Mouth Salvation is their first full-length studio album to be released since Testify For My Victims in 2007 so this is a real treat.
Opening track Parasites starts off like the past 12 years didn’t exist, kicking me straight in the balls with highly technical riffing, using classical Swedish tones I love to hear. Reforged is the second track and it lives up to its name, the band are re-forged with these new songs. Re-educating the masses on what the Swedes are all about, raw, uncompromising Melo-Death.
Reclaiming the throne of which they stood proudly, now firmly entrenched once again.
Vocalist Tommie Wahlberg in my opinion has gotten better over time, like a fine wine, just got sweeter but in a metal sense, so more aggressive. The break has seemed to have worked for Carnal Forge the album is fresh, full of new energy, the whole album has a sense of manic ferocity mixed with melodies that are classic Carnal Forge.
The guitar down picking riffing is brilliant along with the drumming, the double kicking is off its head, for proof of this check out State of Pain. There really isn’t a song on the album which doesn’t want to hurt you, slapping one upside the head, all killer, no filler here.
For a band that hasn’t put out an album in over a decade Gun to Mouth Salvation is the perfect way to reintroduce themselves sending a huge message to the Metal world. The Forge is back sounding better than ever.
Release Year: 2019
Label: ViciSolum Productions
Category: Album
Country: Sweden
Reviewed by Adrian ‘Dren’ Barham