Thirty-six minutes of engaging material
Following the success of their previous release, Slow Death, American deathcore band Carnifex continues to deliver solid, thematic albums. With their seventh full-length album, World War X, long-time fans will recognize subject matters such as internal struggles and personal struggles through the broader guise of war. Even new listeners to the scene can gain an understanding of what topics Carnifex sings about by looking at the titles of all their albums.
After three years, World War X is a great transition and it will take listeners on a captivating journey that starts from the first second of the first song. “World War X,” the first and title track, starts with sounds of gunfire, cannons and what sounds like a hoard of people marching as if on the battlefield. Then, the marching transitions into a brass section announcing impending doom and that’s when fans will be sucked into fast-paced guitar riffs and the iconic screaming vocals of Scott Lewis.
Out of the nine tracks, “The Infernal Darkness” is a standout song that offers so much versatility in four minutes and thirty-eight seconds. In this song, people experience slow sequences of the keyboard— courtesy of Shawn Cameron— that break up the rapid-fire guitar notes and in-your-face vocals. While the shift between the two moods is a nice contrast, there is also a great moment of a harmonious keyboard smashing and guitar riffs.
In “No Light Shall Save Us,” people can appreciate the harmony between Alissa White-Gluz and Lewis’ vocals when they are briefly singing at the same time. Her vocals come off with an echoey effect that aligns with Carnifex’s sound well. On “All Roads Lead To Hell,” featured guitarist Angel Vivaldi contributes an awe-inducing solo. Another noteworthy guitar solo occurs in the very next track, “Brushed By The Wings Of Demons.”
Overall, the added guest artists help enhance Carniex’s creative production that is World War X. Each song offers memorable moments, some more than others. But, people will be entertained throughout and can appreciate the skills each member brings to the table. Carnifex has clearly shown that they embrace their deathcore status and have a great formula for creating solid albums.
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