| Slow Death | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 5, 2016 | |||
| Recorded | February 15, 2016 – March 20, 2016 | |||
| Studio | Audiohammer Studio, Sanford, Florida | |||
| Genre | Deathcore | |||
| Length | 37:06 | |||
| Label | Nuclear Blast | |||
| Producer | Jason Suecof | |||
| Carnifex chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Slow Death | ||||
Slow Death is the sixth studio album by American deathcore band Carnifex. It was released on August 5, 2016, through Nuclear Blast and was produced by Jason Suecof. [4] [5]
On November 3, 2014, Carnifex announced that they are working on new material for the forthcoming album. [6] On September 3, 2015, vocalist Scott Lewis stated during an interview that the band will be releasing their new album in the summer of 2016. [7] On January 14, 2016, the group announced that the album is in pre-production. [8]
On February 16, Carnifex begun recording the new album. [9] On February 29, a tease of a new song the band have in the works for their album was posted through their social media accounts. [10] On April 15, the band would be filming a music video for a track from the album and were looking for fans to take part in the shoot, which took place in Los Angeles on April 24. [11] On May 11, they revealed the album itself, the album cover, the track list, and release date. [12]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Distorted Sound | 9/10 [13] |
| KillYourStereo | Positive [14] |
| Louder Sound |    [15] |
| Metal Injection | 8.5/10 [16] |
| Rock Sins | 8/10 [17] |
| Wall of Sound | 7/10 [18] |
The album received positive reviews from critics. Jessica Howkins of Distorted Sound scored the album 9 out of 10 and said: "Deathcore is a falling genre, many are forgetting its existence whilst others are moving on, but it is bands like Carnifex when they release titans such as Slow Death that keep it alive. The album is stunning from start to finish, and everything that the band wanted to achieve, they have done and more. Slow Death is without a doubt, the deathcore album of 2016." [13] KillYourStereo gave the album a positive review and stated: "While I can recommend Slow Death, I feel as though the very expectations and hype set by Carnifex hasn't come to full fruition." [14] Louder Sound gave the album a positive review and stated: It has to be said, though, that Carnifex still aren't breaking any new musical ground with Slow Death, but one thing's for sure – you just can't argue with the quality and effectiveness what's on offer." [15]
Metal Injection rated the album 8.5 out of 10 and stated, "Slow Death is a solid, atmospheric, and a most of all HEAVY release. If you have been lacking in new material to headbang to, then this is the perfect medicine for you. If you're still in the anti-deathcore camp, then this still might not do it for you, but perhaps you could try and be pleasantly surprised." [16] Ali Cooper of Rock Sins rated the album 8 out of 10 and said: "Slow Death is no calculating innovation or threatening game changer, simply a self-assured proof of Carnifex's magnetic presence. Simultaneously accessible and destructive, the omnipresent atmospherics throughout save this from becoming another eventless deathcore addition." [17] Wall of Sound gave the album a score 7/10 and saying: "Slow Death is anything but its namesake. It's a free falling descent into the pits of hell, a journey that not only destroys your neck but annihilates your throat. Carnifex are the premier band in this scene and Slow Death is ten reasons why." [18]
Adapted from Apple Music. [19]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Dark Heart Ceremony" | 4:49 |
| 2. | "Slow Death" | 4:05 |
| 3. | "Drown Me in Blood" | 4:18 |
| 4. | "Pale Ghost" | 3:53 |
| 5. | "Black Candles Burning" | 3:40 |
| 6. | "Six Feet Closer to Hell" | 4:02 |
| 7. | "Necrotoxic" | 3:15 |
| 8. | "Life Fades to a Funeral" | 2:01 |
| 9. | "Countess of the Crescent Moon" | 3:28 |
| 10. | "Servants to the Horde" | 3:29 |
| Total length: | 37:06 | |
Credits adapted from AllMusic. [20]
Carnifex
Additional musicians
Additional personnel
| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 [21] | 95 |
| US Independent Albums (Billboard) [22] | 4 |
| US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard) [23] | 3 |
| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) [24] | 10 |
Metalcore is a fusion genre combining elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk, that originated in the late 1980s. Metalcore is noted for its use of breakdowns, which are slow, intense passages conducive to moshing, while other defining instrumentation includes heavy guitar riffs often utilizing percussive pedal tones and double bass drumming. Vocalists in the genre typically perform screaming, more popular bands often combine this with the use of standard singing, usually during the bridge or chorus of a song. However, the death growl is also a popular technique within the genre.
Deathcore is an extreme metal subgenre that combines death metal with metalcore. The genre consists of death metal guitar riffs, blast beats, and metalcore breakdowns. While there are some precursors to the concept of death metal fused with metalcore/hardcore elements seen in the 1990s, deathcore itself emerged in the early 2000s and gained prominence beginning in the mid-2000s within the southwestern United States, especially Arizona and inland southern California, which are home to many notable bands and various festivals.
Job for a Cowboy is an American death metal band from Glendale, Arizona. Formed in 2003, the band's debut album Genesis was released in 2007, peaking at No. 54 on the US Billboard 200 and selling 13,000 copies in its first week of release. The second album, 2009's Ruination, sold 10,600 copies in the United States in its first week to debut at position No. 42 on the Billboard 200 chart. The band comprises vocalist Jonny Davy, guitarists Tony Sannicandro and Al Glassman and bassist Nick Schendzielos. Davy is the only remaining founding member.
Impending Doom is an American Christian deathcore band from Riverside, California. The group has released six full-length studio albums and are currently a four piece with lead vocalist Brook Reeves as one of the two original remaining members along with Manny Contreras who left the band in 2010 but returned in 2012. The band refers to their style of music as "gorship" - a portmanteau of the words gore and worship.
Whitechapel is an American deathcore band from Knoxville, Tennessee. The band is named after the Whitechapel district in East London, England, where Jack the Ripper committed a series of murders. The group comprises vocalist Phil Bozeman, lead guitarist Ben Savage, rhythm guitarist Alex Wade, bassist Gabe Crisp and third guitarist Zach Householder. Founded in 2006 by Bozeman and Savage, the band has released eight studio albums and fourteen music videos, and it's currently signed to Metal Blade Records. Whitechapel's 2010 album A New Era of Corruption, sold around 10,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release and debuted at position No. 43 on the Billboard 200 chart. The band's self-titled fourth album was released in 2012 and debuted at No. 47 on the Billboard 200, selling roughly 9,200 copies in its first week. In 2014 the band released their fifth full-length album, Our Endless War to generally positive reviews. The album sold roughly 16,000 copies in its first week and debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200. They released their sixth full-length album Mark of the Blade in 2016 to greater critical acclaim, selling roughly 8,000 copies in the first week of its release. In 2019, Whitechapel released their seventh album, The Valley, which debuted at No. 143 on the Billboard 200 also to critical acclaim. Their newest album, Kin, was released on October 29, 2021.
Carnifex is an American deathcore band from San Diego County, California. Formed in 2005, they are currently signed to Nuclear Blast after having been signed to Victory Records. They have released nine studio albums and three EPs. Since 2022, the band has consisted of founding members, lead vocalist Scott Ian Lewis and drummer Shawn Cameron, along with rhythm guitarist Cory Arford, bassist Fred Calderon and lead guitarist Neal Tiemann.
Veil of Maya is an American metalcore band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 2004. The group consists of guitarist Marc Okubo, drummer Sam Applebaum, bassist Danny Hauser and vocalist Lukas Magyar. They are currently signed to Sumerian Records and have released seven studio albums. Their seventh studio album, Mother, was released on May 12, 2023.
Until I Feel Nothing is the fourth studio album by American deathcore band Carnifex. It was released worldwide on October 24, 2011, through Victory Records. It is the band's last album to feature lead guitarist Ryan Gudmunds.
Thy Art Is Murder is an Australian deathcore band from Blacktown, Sydney, that formed in 2006. The band consists of vocalist Tyler Miller, guitarists Sean Delander and Andy Marsh, bassist Kevin Butler and drummer Jesse Beahler. Thy Art Is Murder has released six studio albums since formation.
Die Without Hope is the fifth studio album by American deathcore band Carnifex. It was made in Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida and was produced by Mark Lewis. The album was released on March 4, 2014. The song "Dragged into the Grave" was released as Carnifex's first single on January 16, 2014. On February 3, the band streamed a second song titled, "Condemned to Decay" on Nuclear Blast's YouTube channel. It is the band's first album to feature lead guitarist Jordan Lockrey.
Fit for a King, also known as FFAK, is an American metalcore band from Dallas, Texas formed in 2007. The band comprises guitarists Bobby Lynge and Daniel Gailey, vocalist Ryan Kirby, bassist Ryan "Tuck" O'Leary, and drummer Trey Celaya. They released two independent EPs entitled Fit for a King in 2008 and Awaken the Vesper in 2009. They also released one independent album, Descendants, in 2011. After the band signed to Solid State Records, they released six studio albums through this label: Creation/Destruction (2013), Slave to Nothing (2014), Deathgrip (2016), Dark Skies (2018), The Path (2020) and The Hell We Create, which was released on October 28, 2022. In addition, a redux version of their debut studio album was released through the label in 2013.
Lorna Shore is an American deathcore band formed in New Jersey in 2009. The group currently consists of lead guitarist Adam De Micco, drummer Austin Archey, rhythm guitarist Andrew O'Connor, vocalist Will Ramos, and bassist Michael Yager. The band is most known for their 2021 single "To the Hellfire". They have released four studio albums Psalms (2015), Flesh Coffin (2017), Immortal (2020), and Pain Remains (2022). The band has also released four EPs. No original members remain in the band.
I Prevail is an American rock band formed in Southfield, Michigan, in 2013. They released their debut EP Heart vs. Mind (2014) and rose to popularity from releasing a metal cover of Taylor Swift's "Blank Space" as a single, which eventually was certified platinum in the US. The band has since released three studio albums: Lifelines (2016), Trauma (2019), and True Power (2022). The band found success with their original material as well, with the singles "Breaking Down" and "Hurricane" performing well on rock radio, the single "Bow Down" being nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2019, and Trauma being nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album the same year.
World War X is the seventh studio album by American deathcore band Carnifex. It was released on August 2, 2019, through Nuclear Blast. The album was self-produced by the band and Jason Suecof.
Signs of the Swarm is an American deathcore band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania formed in 2014. The band consists of drummer Bobby Crow, vocalist David Simonich, guitarist Carl Schulz and bassist Michael Cassese. They have released 5 studio albums, releasing their fifth album Amongst the Low & Empty on July 28, 2023 via Century Media Records.
Oh What the Future Holds is the sixth studio album by American deathcore band Fit for an Autopsy. The album was released on January 14, 2022, through Nuclear Blast and was produced by the band's guitarist Will Putney. It has received positive reviews from critics.
Graveside Confessions is the eighth studio album by American deathcore band Carnifex. It was released on September 3, 2021, through Nuclear Blast. The album was self-produced by the band and Mick Kenney, This is the first and only time since 2007's Dead in My Arms that Carnifex had recorded together as a quartet.
Godlike is the sixth studio album by Australian deathcore band Thy Art Is Murder. Originally scheduled for release on 15 September 2023, the album was released on 22 September 2023 through the band's independent label Human Warfare and was produced by Will Putney. This is the band's first album without longtime vocalist Chris "CJ" McMahon, who was fired by the band one day before the album release. It is also the band's first album with new vocalist Tyler Miller.
Necromanteum is the ninth studio album by American deathcore band Carnifex. It was released on October 6, 2023, through Nuclear Blast. The album was produced by Jason Suecof, Scott Lewis and Shawn Cameron. This is the first album to feature lead guitarist Neal Tiemann.
Moon Healer is the fifth studio album by American death metal band Job for a Cowboy. The album was released on February 23, 2024, through Metal Blade Records. It is the band's first album in over nine years, marking the longest gap between releases in the band's history.
