Release Date October 16th, 2026
Format Limited Colored Vinyl
Genre Thrash/Death Metal
Origin Sweden
Carnal Forge formed in Sweden in 1997, emerging from an extreme metal scene already packed with fast guitars and melodic death metal ideas. The debut album, “Who’s Gonna Burn,” arrived through Wrong Again Records in 1998, with Relapse Records handling its American edition. Carnal Forge then signed with Century Media Records and released “Firedemon” in 2000, followed by “Please... Die!” in 2001. Jonas Kjellgren handled vocals across these sessions, joined by guitarists Jari Kuusisto and Petri Kuusisto, drummer Stefan Westerberg, and either Johan Magnusson or Lars Lindén on the remaining strings. Carnal Forge dealt in short songs, frantic drumming, serrated twin guitar work and vocals spat across the riffs. The band’s early live reputation grew through underground appearances where speed and physical intensity mattered more than decoration.
Originally issued on October 23, 2000, “Firedemon” contains twelve songs across in 35 minutes. The album charges through clipped riff chains, rapid double kick patterns, brief lead guitar bursts and grooves that arrive with little warning. “Too Much Hell Ain’t Enough For Me,” “I Smell Like Death (Son Of A Bastard)” and “Uncontrollable” show its central method, compact arrangements, violent tempo changes and choruses built for immediate impact. Kjellgren’s growls sit high in the mix, while the guitars retain enough separation for their melodic turns to register beneath the attack. The production is dry, aggressive and very much tied to its era, with cymbals and upper guitar frequencies sometimes becoming tiring at higher volume. Several choruses use similar rhythmic shapes, causing parts of the later stretch to merge into a continuous rush. Its economy remains impressive, since very little time is wasted on extended transitions or unnecessary ornament. The Pure Torture Red vinyl edition is limited to 300 copies and includes an expanded insert with personal liner notes.
Released on November 19, 2001, “Please... Die!” also contains twelve songs, running for 37 minutes. The writing is more varied, adding wider melodic guitar lines and stronger transitions while retaining the frantic thrash/death metal attack. “Hand Of Doom” and “Welcome To Your Funeral” combine tremolo riffing, blazing leads and abrupt groove changes with a particularly vicious vocal performance. The rhythm section has greater definition here, especially in the kick drum and bass movement beneath the twin guitars.
Lyrically, the album remains fixed on death, domination, torture and human ruin, expressed through blunt titles and confrontational language rather than deeper symbolism. Similar tempos and vocal contours occasionally reduce the individuality of certain songs, though the guitar arrangements provide enough variation to stop the album becoming one dimensional. “Please... Die!” is the more developed release of the pair, with stronger pacing and a colder overall character. The Funeral Blue vinyl is limited to 300 copies, includes an expanded insert and marks the album’s first appearance on vinyl.
Together, these reissues capture Carnal Forge at its most concentrated and ferocious. “Firedemon” offers compact violence with several rough edges, while “Please... Die!” expands the guitar writing and presents a more complete attack. Two concise albums, minimal padding and enough flaws to keep the praise measured.
|7.5 & 8.0
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