Wretched Fate – Carnal Heresy

Sweden’s Wretched Fate returns with their sophomore album, “Carnal Heresy,” promising a continuation of their brand of brutal and unrelenting death metal. Does this album deliver a satisfyingly gory experience or devolve into uninspired brutality? Let’s dissect this carnivorous offering, track by track, and see if “Carnal Heresy” lives up to its name.

A Slaughterous Celebration of Swedish Death Metal:

• Mind Desecrator (3:22): The album explodes with a buzzsaw guitar riff reminiscent of the Dismember school of Swedish death metal. Blast beats pummel the listener into submission, while Adrian Selmani’s vocals snarl with ferocious intent. The lyrics likely delve into themes of violent domination and the defilement of the human mind, a staple of the genre. It’s a brutal opening salvo that sets the tone for the album’s relentless assault.
• Momentary Suicide (3:08): The unrelenting pace continues. This track throws in a touch of thrash metal influence with its galloping drum patterns and aggressive riff changes. The song feels like a sonic whirlwind, a chaotic descent into oblivion. Selmani’s vocals maintain their guttural intensity, perfectly complementing the song’s furious energy.
• Cry From Beyond (4:12): A brief moment of respite arrives. The song features a slower tempo and a more atmospheric soundscape. Distorted guitars create a sense of dread, while mournful clean vocals add a layer of unexpected beauty. The lyrics might hint at themes of loss and the lingering presence of the departed, offering a glimpse of emotional depth beneath the album’s surface brutality.
• Upon the Weak (3:57): The album returns to its full-on assault. This track features a prominent bass line and a crushing groove that pummels the listener into submission. The use of pinch harmonics adds a touch of modern flair to the otherwise classic Swedish death metal sound. Selmani’s vocals shift between growls and high-pitched screams, showcasing his impressive range. The lyrics likely explore themes of dominance and the subjugation of the weak, a common thread in death metal.
• Morbid Testament (4:25): Another moment of atmospheric exploration emerges. The song features a dark and melodic guitar lead, punctuated by bursts of blast beats. Clean vocals make another appearance, adding a touch of melancholic beauty to the sonic onslaught. The lyrics might delve into themes of mortality and the inevitability of death.
• Utterance from the Inhuman Tongue (4:01): The album injects a dose of technicality. The song features intricate guitar work and impressive drum fills, showcasing the band’s instrumental prowess. The unrelenting aggression remains, but moments of groove and melody keep the listener engaged. Selmani’s vocals are a highlight, delivering a performance that is both ferocious and nuanced. The lyrics likely explore themes of demonic possession and the communication with malevolent entities.
• Spineless Horror (4:48): The album closes with a fitting conclusion. The song is a relentless barrage of blast beats, tremolo picking, and guttural vocals. There’s a sense of finality and triumph in the music, a celebration of sonic savagery. The lyrics likely paint a picture of a world consumed by darkness and despair, leaving a lasting impression of brutality.

Verdict: 3.5 out of 5

“Carnal Heresy” is a satisfying serving of Swedish death metal for fans of the genre. Wretched Fate delivers a brutal and unrelenting sonic assault, staying true to the genre’s core tenets. The songwriting is solid, with each track offering a potent blend of aggression and atmosphere. Selmani proves himself a capable vocalist, delivering a performance that is both ferocious and surprisingly nuanced. The production is clear and powerful, perfectly capturing the intensity of the music.

A minor point to consider: Listeners unfamiliar with the genre’s reliance on blast beats, guttural vocals, and gruesome subject matter might find “Carnal Heresy” a bit repetitive and lacking in dynamic contrast.

However, for fans of classic Swedish death metal seeking a modern update, “Carnal Heresy” is a bloody good time. Wretched Fate injects a youthful energy and impressive technicality into the mix, proving to be a band to keep an eye on. This album is a worthy successor to their debut and a surefire pleaser for death metal diehards.