RITUAL CARNAGE

The fourth full-length album by Japanese Thrash Metal band.
Following an extended three-year break that left a good many fans worried about the band's future, Japanese-American thrashers Ritual Carnage eventually returned with their fourth album in 2005. Of course, the band's sonic assault isn't entirely retro, but rather founded on the genre's hallowed origins, and then pushed to overdrive by modern studio technology for a sludgy, almost Death Metal-like wall of sound, never dreamt of by the original Bay Area bands. But make no mistake, regardless of their occasional mislabeling under the "Death" column, Ritual Carnage are a True Thrash band in most every way!!
Dan Montgomery's new "singing" technique might be an acquired taste, but there's no denying that its nasal, atonal shouting quality - in a John Connelly (Nuclear Assault) or Sean Killian (Vio-Lence) mold - is perhaps even more legitimately old-school Thrash than his former Chuck Billy (Testament) growl. No guarantees, in other words, where that item is concerned, but plenty of them when it comes to the cleverly named Eddie Van Koide's frenzied riffs, some of which are so damn great they'd make Slayer jealous. As for the overall grade of "I, Infidel", the massive display of Thrash Metal riffing it contains is unquestionably impressive. Instrumentally, this album is one of the strongest Thrash albums of the year. The variety among the tracks is impressive on its own, and everything is very well-executed. The guitar lines are particularly bold, experimenting with different moods, styles and cadences while never losing a deep, Death Metal edge; the solos are also a good display of skill from Eddie Van Koide and Wataru Yamada. And Naoya Hamaii's drumming is a wide-ranging and solid base.
This is true excellent release! Recommended for fans of early Testament!!
CD contains OBI.
If Thrash Metal was a religion, so this stuff was obviously not for the infidels. And, there's no place for the infidels to enjoy this blessed-creation, unless they swear to repent, re-baptize themselves, and revert to the right path of Thrash soul!!!
Osmose Productions, 2005 (OPCDL 170). Made in France. Pressed in Austria. First press.


Tracklist:
1. Imprisoned Secret 0:04
2. The Perfect Strain 3:08
3. I, Infidel 3:04
4. Thirst For Blood 3:21
5. These Chains 0:10
6. Do Not Resuscitate 5:01
7. Axiom 3:14
8. Straight To The Nether Regions 3:08
9. Room 101 3:18
10. Twiglight Of The All Too Human 2:37
11. Terror Ends Here 3:52
12. I Am War 4:08
Total playing time: 35:09 min.



 

Third full-length album by Japanese Thrash Metal band.
Ritual Carnage is a band with roots both in Florida and Japan, and is similar to old Speed Metal like Kreator, Sodom and Destruction, as well as U.S. Thrash like Testament and Exodus. Band returns with a new album that will as usual kick your ass and make you feel like headbanging for a few hours! Still, and that might be a surprise for many of you, the Ritual Carnage of "The Birth Of Tragedy" is not the same band as the Ritual Carnage of "The Highest Law" or "Every Nerve Alive" anymore!! When it comes about guitars, drums and production, the difference is not huge and you still have that good old Thrash Metal-spirit full of energy. What makes Ritual Carnage change is that Damian has not the same voice anymore. The time when he used his fat and raw Death Metal-voice is over, now he's got an almost clear voice, a bit a la TESTAMENT a few years ago… all in all Damian is evolving in the opposite way than Chuck Billy).
And the whole thing gives an album that you'd swear has been written in the first half of the 90's, in the vein of some Thrash a la Forbidden, but ten times better! And of course, as in the past, they have also recorded a cover, here of "Infernal Death" from Death!
But that’s not all folks, because limited edition digipack contains two bonus tracks!!
Buy of die!!!
Osmose Productions, 2002 (OPCDL 132). Made in France. Pressed in Austria. First press.


Tracklist:
1. The Sixth Sense     3:42 
2. The Birth Of Tragedy     3:26 
3. Burning Eyes Of Rage     2:44 
4. Paradox Of Democracy     3:14 
5. Fall Of The Empire     4:21 
6. Shroud Of Secrecy     3:41 
7. Sanity's Thin Line     2:47 
8. Grave New World     3:50 
9. Dawn Of Decadence     3:29 
10. Psycho Sadisitc Psychosis     4:40 
11. Infernal Death (In Memory Of Chuck Schuldiner)     2:57     
Bonus Tracks:
12. Evil Will Avenge 
13. Dialogue Of Bullets
Total playing time: 38:51 min.