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CARNAL TOMB
Embalmed In Decay

Testimony (2023)
Rating: 7/10

After a rather unfulfilling brace of full-length outings – Rotten Remains (2016) and Abhorrent Veneration (2019) – Berlin, Germany-based deathsters Carnal Tomb returns with a platter that’s somewhat more rewarding. Since the last album, bass player Impaler (aka Mustafa Kaya) has joined the ranks and sits comfortably alongside founding member and vocalist / guitarist Cryptic Tormentor (aka Marc Strobel), lead axeman Goat Eviscerator (aka Toni Thomas) and drummer Vomitchrist (aka Daniel Sturm).

Upon first and then subsequent listens it’s obvious that Impaler is a worthwhile addition because his playing is insane as he storms like a man possessed. It’s not as old school death metal as I would have liked, instead it sits more toward the mid-to-late 90s. However, it remains a volatile outing driven by the chesty vocal barks and the lethal percussion.

‘The Putridarium’ does boast a primitive production which allows the filthy, clattering bass to worm out from the dismal haze. There are plenty of faster segments to chew on, such as with ‘Cataclysmic Maze’ and the rampant ‘Morgue Usurper’, so it’s quite busy and at times cold death metal with no real frills attached. For me, ‘Draped In Disgust’ is a big favourite with its Swedish mid-tempo grind, showcasing a versatility within a standard framework, if that makes sense.

This is not an album that will make my end of year top 20 list, but if you dig solid and heavy death metal then Embalmed In Decay is for you, and a big improvement on those earlier efforts.

Neil Arnold

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