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CARNIVAL IN COAL ‘Collection Prestige’ Earache(2005)
Now, I don't know about you guys, but every time I hear someone referring to the UK-based label Earache records, the first few bands that come to mind are Napalm Death, Terrorizer, Morbid Angel, Entombed, Cathedral and many others whose contribution to the survival and evolution of the extreme metal scene is of paramount importance. It was reasonable, then, that I felt quite puzzled when I received the promo of the fourth full-length album by a band called Carnival in Goal, whose album cover features a grand piano with a single red rose lying next to a golden candleholder.
I admit that I left "Collection Prestige" at the bottom of my priorities list, and when I realised that it was time for me to "deal with it", I was prepared to listen to a very unusual release...or, at least, I thought that I was! Indeed, no matter how strong your imagination is as a person, or how open minded you are when it comes to listening to new musical propositions, nothing can prepare you for this forty six minute release. The French duo of Axel Wursthorn (instruments) and Arno Strobe (vocals) present you with a musical monster that is destined to be loved as much as it undoubtedly going to be hated.
Now, I realise that what I am supposed to do here is to give you the most accurate description of this release, but I am afraid that this is impossible. "Collection Prestige" is a "musical crossroad" where death/black metal meets reggae and 80's disco music, and also a release where good quality clean vocals are being contaminated by extreme Black Metal growls, sounding like Donald Duck on acid! I do admit that, on a few occasions, the musicianship of the previously-mentioned artists is really impressive, but the only few songs that I did manage to enjoy, up to a certain extent, were "Cartilage Holocaust" and "Delivery Day". Ah, maybe I should mention that the first track is a 70's disco groove song which will become more appealing to the fans of Jamiroquai, than ordinary metal fans and that one good song like "Delivery Day" is not enough to convince me that I should recommend this release to the people who are going to read this review.
I said it once and I will say it again: an album like "Collection Prestige” could not be released by someone who does not have a good knowledge of music. Wursthorn and Strobe are obviously having a good time doing what they do, otherwise we wouldn't be here discussing their band's fourth release now, and I wouldn't be surprised if I was to find out that they are currently trying to get their hands on some of Frank Zappa's or Mr.Bungle's rare vinyl releases. The thing is that I no longer have the time nor the patience to listen to an album like "Collection Prestige". The days when comedy guitar tracks anthems from bands like Acid Reign, Xentrix and Sacred Reich were something new are long gone. Who knows - maybe it has to do with the fact that I am way past my teens!
**½
Review by John Stefanis
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