CEPHALIC CARNAGE
Anomalies
(Relapse Records)
45:45min

Yes, the fourth full-length CD of Relapse’ own psychos is here to blow fresh stench into our mobilephone-ringtones-polluted brains. How come CEPHALIC CARNAGE never got adopted as ringtone? Too many notes per seconds? That would be an explaination. Less weed infected does the band present their Rocky Mountain Hydrogrind on “Anomalies”, a bit more technical with some great old school parts and some really fast CRYPTOPSY like blast attacks. All mixed with the obvious crazy shit, insane MESHUGGAH infected breaks, twisted guitars and multi-changing vocal styles (I’d bet there are some guest vocalists here but I am not sure). Typically CEPHALIC CARNAGE? Yes, maybe a bit too typical, because the totally-freaking-out-kill-you-neighbours-dog-and-eat-his-rubber-bones effect from “Exploiting Dysfunction” is missing a little bit. It is the same with the last full length “Lucid Interval”: great music, fresh mind-fuck-hydro-kick, but something was missing what these guys had on the first two albums. But don’t get me wrong here – “Anomalies” still is a great US-Death-Grind bulldozer in front of your Granny’s hairless Chihuahua (or something), and songs like ‘Kill For Weed’, ‘The Will Or The Way’ just fucking rule, but sometimes they seem to repeat themselves in their crazyness, you know? Yes, it is hard to explain, but it took me more than five listening-sessions to really enjoy this CD. CEPHALIC CARNAGE simply is a band where you expect a little more than from other bands. But then there is nothing to complain, except that I don’t like the ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY / HIGH ON FIRE inspired song ‘Piecemaker’ thaaat much, but if you are into that kind of music… The CD ends with my favourite song, an epic chill-out acoustic beast turning into NEUROSIS meets blast-your-hair-out-off-your-nose mind-twister ‘Ontagony Of Behaviour’, and that is when I think, that the CD was better than I thought when listening to it. Got it? Me neither. Go and buy, it won’t be a mistake, but don’t expect a second “Exploiting Dysfunction”. And, yes: remember to check out the band’s homepage for if you are still looking for a great gift for you girlfriend you’ll find one in the merch section, hehe. www.cephaliccarnage.net, www.relapse.com PS: I would like to take the opportunity to give my deepest regards to the family and bandmates of another great Relapse artist Miezko from NASUM, who died in the fucking Tsunami cat-ass-trophe. Go, grind Heaven or Hell or whatever place you are. Mach’s gut, Miezko.

Tim Klöcker

Tim Klöcker

Related reviews / interviews:
CEPHALIC CARNAGE - Lucid Interval (Ramon Claassen)

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