Carnival of Excess is the debut album from industrial act Against I. Released by Hungarian label Advoxya Records 17th of July 2023. The sound is fresh and mixes guitars with electronics/industrial sounds and a harsh voice (genre Hocico & Suicide Commando) and delivers some possible clubbers!
What to expect: 13 tracks which takes you on a crazy journey into the “carnival of excess” a bloody ride with distorted guitars and catchy melodies and lyrics about insanity, decay and debauchery screamed out by the instantly recognizable voice of Fredrik Keith Croona. So strap down tight cause you are in for a ride
Welcome to the carnival (feat JM Burr and George Klontzas) is the classic intro that sets the mood for the rest of the album. It’s not bad as I usually skip intro’s. The intro has a very American kind of style with Stephen King influences.
Fleshride starts as a very bluesy trip thanks to the guitar until the electronics and the screaming vocals wake up and change it into a mix of Hocico, Suicide Commando and C-Lekktor. The guitar sound is perfectly mixed with the rest, just as the vocals. I feel this one might become a good clubber too!
Scum (album version) is yet another clubber with the perfect tempo and great beats! I adore the energy! The global sounds reminds me a bit of one of my favourite French underground bands: Herrschaft!
Disease starts slowly with a more techno minded set until the screams jump in. The breakdown renders the monstruous touch of the vocals. The global sound is really modern and warm!
Eyehateme (feat. Chris Keya) starts with a floating sound, disrupted after a while by the guitars and the electronic drums. I hear some drum’n bass and modern techno influences. Don’t expect any vocals here.
You and I (feat j:dead) gives us for the first time clean vocals and a sounds that could be described as romantic synth pop.
Venom starts with a floating sound until the guitars rip it off, followed by harsh screams. I hear some drum’n bass influences during the breakdown. With such a title I expected a higher tempo and more aggression. Not sure if the retro video games sound was a good idea here.
Deranged is not a David Bowie or a Plastic Noise Experience cover but an original clubber with a hight tempo and a good drive! The lyrics fits the horror theme!
Reap Me (want you in death) starts with a warm and modern synth sound, followed by guitars and electronic drums. The global sound is like a mix of Lescure 13 and more experimental techno. You will only hear a computer voice, btw.
My Sweet is another one without vocals, has a high drive and a warm and modern sound (but also comes close to Lescure 13 but without the vocals). Same can be said from The Beast. This is also the end of the regular tracks!
Time for 2 remixes (but don’t search for the original version): O.M.G. (miss suicide remix). I hear some Suicide Commando influences (genre: Hellraiser), mixed by our Mexican friend aka mister C-Lekktor (at least that’s how I hear it). It’s clearly ready for the underground clubs all over the world! Spread the word!
O.M.G. (teknovore remix) starts with stomping beats and is for sure a possible club hit! Put on your dancing shoes and start filling the dancefloor! This is it! Hot and sweaty! What are you waiting for?
It’s not bad for a debut. Just sad there are so much tracks with no vocals as I heard enough potential and the remixes are awesome (and that might be a tip for the future)!
