Carnivore is one of those bands that most people have never heard of. Carnivore was a thrash metal band from the 80’s. They’ve also been known as a crossover or metalcore band. Who included elements of metal and punk into their style.

Singer Peter Steele went on to form Type O Negative. Carnivore, in my opinion, were way cooler than Type O Negative. They had a bit of cheese factor on their first record. The outfits were pretty funny.

Carnivore first formed in Brooklyn, New York back in 1983. Dressed in fur-covered shoulder pads, spikes, hockey equipment, and nails. Carnivore would throw out with blood, brains, and innards onto the audience. Carnivore were kind of like a poor man’s Gwar.

After their self titled debut, Carnivore went thru some lineup changes. With a new guitarst and new drummer, they released their final album in 1987 titled Retaliation.
Carnivore

Retaliation is one of my favorite metal albums. Loud, aggressive, sludgy, Sabbathesque guitar riffs. Mixed with killer topics such as hitler, prejudice, anxiety, global thermonuclear war, sex and violence.

The opening track titled “Jack Daniels and Pizza” is a refreshing little diddy featuring nothing but a tape of a guy barfing. Can’t beat an intro like that. Not too mention they do a cool cover of Manic Depression by Hendrix.

The lyrics are awesome as well. The song Inner Conflict is especially great:

“Large two inch maggots decorate my vomit
Infected eyes oozing pus
Acknowledge the stench of human excrement
Swamps of mucus prevelant
Every hole in my body drips blood”

Unfortunately, in February of 1988, Carnivore broke up. They have made a few appearances since then when Type O Negative is not touring. Man, I’d kill to see a Carnivore show…or even a bootleg recording would suffice.

Carnivore - Retaliation should definately be in your collection. Skip the self titled debut tho. It’s not that great. Unless your a completist nerd like me.

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