Carnivore (band)

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Carnivore
Carnivore performing live at Wacken Open Air in 2006
Carnivore performing live at Wacken Open Air in 2006
Background information
Genre(s) Thrash metal
Years active 1982-1987, 2006-Present
Label(s) Roadrunner
Associated acts Fallout
Type O Negative

Carnivore was a thrash metal band formed by Peter Steele (later of Type O Negative fame), and was formed out of the ruins of the Brooklyn hard rock group Fallout in 1982.

Contents

[edit] Brief history

They released two albums: "Carnivore" in January of (1986) and "Retaliation" September of (1987). The band broke up not long thereafter, and Peter Steele formed Subzero, which would become Type O Negative. The first Type O Negative album, "Slow Deep and Hard" was partially composed from material originally written for Carnivore. Despite being disbanded for over 15 years, there have been several reunion shows that have taken place over the years. On April, 24, 2006 German Rock Hard Magazine stated that another reunion show had been announced to take place at Wacken Open Air in Germany. The reunion tour did spread to the US, also in 2006. The previous reunion tour had been in 1996.

[edit] First album

The first album is more traditionally metal-sounding, drawing inspiration from Black Sabbath and 1970s Judas Priest, while the second has significant crossover influence. The 'post-apocalyptic' theme that dominated the first album and spread partially into the second album was apparently based on a dream Pete Steele had that became the basic for the lyrics of "Predator", the first song from the original album. All other compatible lyrical themes are said to compliment the environment of humanity (or lack of) between World Wars 3, 4 and possibly 5 (as referenced in 'World Wars 3 & 4'). Both albums fit neatly into the speed-thrash genre, however. The lyrical themes include nihilism, anti-religious sentiment, racism, intolerance, and general human stupidity, a heap of cynicism, and explicit tongue-in-cheek depictions of gore and despair. For example, this line from "Ground Zero Brooklyn" sums up the band fairly well: "I shit my pants as I wait for the reaper!". Song titles and lyrical themes like "Jesus Hitler", "Race War", and "God is Dead" are also representative of their humour, dry wit and dumbed-down intelligence explaining the fate of humanity. Some would argue that their lyrics inflame prejudice among minorities, others would say they highlight the futility of such attitudes.

[edit] Miscellaneous

Original Carnivore guitarist Keith Alexander died in a bicycle accident on July 11, 2005.

During the time Carnivore was playing, drummer Louis Beato was also a bus driver in Manhattan, a job he kept after the group ended.

For the first album, the band spelled their names in what they thought were "exotic" ways. For instance, Louis Beateaux instead of Beato.

[edit] New Album

Peter Steele has stated that there will be a new Carnivore album and tour in 2008-09.

[edit] Lineup

[edit] Original

[edit] From Retaliation until the end

[edit] 2006 reunion lineup

[edit] Discography

[edit] Studio albums

  • Carnivore (1986) LP,CS (1990) CD
  • Retaliation (1987) LP,CS (1990) CD
  • Carnivore/Retaliation (Both albums on one single disc, some tracks omitted) (01. July 1991) CD only
  • Carnivore (Re-Issue, remastered, 3 bonus tracks[demos]) (22. January 2001) CD
  • Retaliation (Re-Issue, remastered, 3 bonus tracks[demos]) (22. January 2001) CD
  • Carnivore (Deluxe Re-Issue, remastered, 3 bonus tracks[demos]) (05. October 2007) 2LP
  • Retaliation (Deluxe Re-Issue, remastered, 3 bonus tracks[demos]) (05. October 2007) 2LP

All albums were released on the label Roadrunner Records.

[edit] External links

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