Carnation: In The Depths Of Darkness
Despite the oft heralded cries that “rock is dead!”, and the current devastation of the live music industry at the hands of the COVID-19 pandemic, extreme metal’s favourite son is very much alive and thriving. Whether it’s the old-guard re-establishing their importance in the scene, the highly beloved new wave of old-school death metal or the legions of various sub-genres – death metal remains king. And one of European death metal’s rising stars are firing back in the game only two years after the release of their stunning debut, Chapel of Abhorrence. CARNATION aren’t messing about, and they’re here to show the world exactly Where Death Lies.
Where Chapel of Abhorrence was simply a glorious slab of traditionalist, well-produced death metal that took the scene by storm, CARNATION are mixing thing up this time around with Where Death Lies, uniting the album with a stronger focus on the theatrical. “I don’t like to write political or realistic lyrics, it’s not my style,” starts vocalist and founding member Simon Duson. “I like to write stories about experiences in a world that isn’t our own. I see music as an escape. We took a similar lyrical approach to the lyrics this time around, but with a different theme. Where Death Lies is based around the quest for immortality and reincarnation. The songs are written with the listener as the protagonist, you’re being challenged in your search for a higher purpose in life or a way to surpass the weak physical state of the human body.”
A fascinating theme for CARNATION to explore, and one that offers boundless opportunities for creative writing, especially in a genre as macabre as death metal. But as Duson explains, Where Death Lies is less of a concept album with one unified story, rather an anthology with a selection of stories dedicated to this overarching theme. “It’s not a concept album where the story begins with the first song and ends with the last. It’s more that the songs are all connected to this theme of the quest for immortality and reincarnation. Most of the songs take different approaches to this theme, usually [discussing] the supernatural punishment for trying to achieve this goal.”
So that’s the general theme and concept behind Where Death Lies, a short description that should already have horror or dark fantasy writers flexing their finger and reaching for their keyboard as ideas start to flow. But what about specifics? It’s clear that Duson is a storyteller at heart, using CARNATION as his medium rather than pen and paper. So, Duson, tell us a story.
“My favourite song on Where Death Lies is the last song, In Chasms Abysmal. It was the last song to be finished instrumentally, and the first song I finished the lyrics for. It was also the only song that wasn’t finished in the rehearsal room. I was super impressed with what Jonathan [Verstrepen, guitars] came up with, and his instrumentals gave me so many ideas for lyrics.” Duson begins, giving a touch of background on his favourite track of the record before shining a spotlight on his storytelling prowess. “The lyrics of In Chasms Abysmal detail someone who has achieved immortality, but is trapped in a dark place he can’t escape, floating lifeless ply in the void of space forever. Now he has to deal with his immortality, he will live forever but has no chance to actually live as he is in a place he can never escape. I talk a lot about this gloom he feels, the desperation he feels and all the dark emotions he’s feeling.”
It’s not just lyrically CARNATION have come into their own with Where Death Lies though. Musically, their sophomore offering shows a touch more maturity, and more of a personal identity than their debut. “Chapel of Abhorrence was a very, very death metal album. Now, we’re a bit more comfortable. We tried to add some small nuances and differences that aren’t very standard in death metal, but we’re not trying to overdo it – we just want to keep things interesting.” Duson begins, explaining CARNATION’s evolution from their debut and the confidence in breaking out of the rigid defining lines of death metal the band have developed. “This album is definitely more unique. I also felt, for example, with the clean vocals at the end of In Chasms Abysmal, we just wanted to try it. Maybe people will criticise it, but we felt it would fit really well and we wanted to try something a bit different. I felt it was a little addition to the song that really worked.”
It’s beyond clear that CARNATION are one of the hottest death metal bands this side of the pond at the moment, but their place in the death metal pantheon is a curious one. Far removed – both geographically and sonically – the old-school death metal revival sweeping North America at the moment, CARNATION keep a foot in the modern death metal sound while heralding a true loyalty to the old-school. There’s no place to argue that the Belgians are reinventing the foundation of death metal as we know it, but even though they may sound like a thousand bands that have come before when Duson’s gutturals kick in beside that vicious riff delivery, you can’t help but close your eyes and find yourself in the depths of darkness.
Where Death Lies is out now via Season of Mist.
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