Hopefully, between Sammy O’Hagar’s glowing review of Decapitated’s Carnival is Forever, and my own declaration that it’s one of the best metal albums of 2011 thus far, you’re now really, really excited to hear the album. Actually, you were probably already excited before we declared the record to be officially killer, since a) it’s Decapitated, b) it’s their big comeback album, and c) it’s motherfucking Decapitated.

But if for some reason you weren’t excited, hopefully the new song from Carnival that is now streaming over at Guitar World, “Homo Sun,” will do the trick. And if it still doesn’t, well, uh, go decapitate yourself. ‘Cause this album rules, and this song rules.

Headbang here, then exchange e-high-fives in our comments section below. Carnival is Forever comes out July 12 on Nuclear Blast.

-AR

MetalSucks tipster extraordinaire Hetal Bhatt sent us the below video, and while it has nothing to do with metal, it did make me laugh, and I did forward it to friends. So, enjoy:

And on that note, here’s some stuff we did this week:

• We debuted new music by Chimaira, Cannabis Corpse, and S.O.S.
• We debuted a new music video from Sleeping Giant.
• We got new gear tips from Periphery’s Misha Mansoor and Revocation’s Dan Gargiulo, and we spoke to Michael Amott from Arch Enemy.
• We checked out the latest releases from Decapitated, The Black Dahlia Murder, Limp Bizkit, and Wormrot.
• We pondered a world in which concertgoers can’t film shows with their iPhones.
• We marveled that anyone finds Tosh.0 to be funny.
• We wondered which deathcore frontman has the best tattoos.
• We found the worst line-up for a festival ever.
• We chose our favorite extras from the new Annotations of an Autopsy video.
• We broke the bad news that vocalist Chris Clancy and keyboardist Drew Stavola are both out of Mutiny Within.

You’ve got one more week with me and me alone before Vince comes back. Deal with it, fuckers.

See ya Monday.

-AR

Is it possible to judge Carnival is Forever, the new Decapitated album, solely on its own merits, and not by the events leading up to its inception? Yes and no. Yes, in that it’s a killer metal album with nothing but top-shelf, groovy tech-death riffs one after another (seriously, it gets a little absurd after a while). But no, in that one can’t help but wonder in the album’s more ruminative moments if guitarist Vogg is reaching tendrils out to his audience, expressing a deep sadness in losing two-thirds of the permanent lineup of the band he founded in his teens, including the death of his brother, beloved and influential drummer Vitek. Whether or not a black veil is lowered over the album is beside the point; it’s there from our point of view.

But this isn’t a funereal affair in the slightest, and the band doesn’t get lost in angsty navel-gazing. A new Decapitated release that didn’t have the verve and balls of Carnival would be an insult, and Vogg knows that. Even if the record (through no fault of its own, really) runs the risk of being known as the Resurrection Album, he certainly didn’t reform Decapitated with all new guys just to cash in on a traumatized fan base: Carnival is Forever is overflowing with intent and purpose, getting an eyeful of the sun in the shadow of the legacy of the band that made it. Phoenixes and ashes aren’t exclusive to Hate Eternal, after all.

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Of course you do! You love Decapitated, right? And besides, earlier this week, I told you I think it’s one of the best albums of 2011 thus far.

Which is why you should check out the preview below. It’s a very, very small taste of what you’re in for, but in case you doubt that this band is about to pull off a major (and hard earned, to put it mildly) comeback, well, it should be enough to assuage your fears.

Carnival is Forever comes out July 12 on Nuclear Blast.

-AR

Thanks: Jon Litz

Alright so we’ve got good news and we’ve got bad news.

The good new is, at long last, Decapitated are getting ready to release a new album. And Vince and I were fortunate enough to hear a couple of songs from this album a few weeks back, and we really, really liked what we heard. We think this band could be coming back in a really, really big way.

The bad news is that the album has a not-terrific title, Carnival is Forever, and some even-less-terrific album art. I know some people thought that the cover for Devin Townsend’s Deconstruction looked too nu-metally; I actually think this looks way nu-metallier (this immediately comes to mind). It’s not, like, the worst album art ever, it’s just… you’d envision something way more epic and classically DM for Decapitated’s big return to the scene, right?

But it really doesn’t matter what the album is called, or if they stick a picture of Gene Hoglan naked on the cover, so long as the music rocks. And, again, we have to reserve final judgment until we’ve heard the entire disc, but the two songs we did get to hear were very, very, very promising. So hopefully in a few years we’ll look back at this as “That incredible Decapitated album with the forgettable album art.”

Carnival is Forever comes out July 12 on Nuclear Blast.

-AR

Lost in the fracas of new Devin and new Protest and new Scale the Summit and new this and that and the other thing is the fact that the mighty Decapitated are recording a new album with an expected release date this year. That’s pretty significant methinks, no? The MS Mansion Monkey in charge of Polish Death Metal has been promptly demoted and revoked his privilege of access to the finest Costa Rican bananas. Bad, Wilfred, bad!

It turns out that recording of the new record is just about done, according to band mastermind Vogg in a recent statement made via SickDrummer.com. Sick Drummer has also debuted footage of new drummer Krimh laying down the brootalz, which you can and should watch here:

While Rafal finishes up vocals and Vogg adds a few solos, Daniel Bergstrand has already begun mixing the record. I’d think we can expect this thing to come out sooner rather than later, then; I can haz br00tal blasts this summer plz?

-VN

Earlier today, I downloaded Earache’s new, completely free Extreme Stage Diving app, a video game in which “you take control of a burly bouncer and throw the pesky stage invader as far into the crowd as possible.” And I’m happy to report that it’s going to make an excellent time waster (that’s a compliment), and may soon usurp Slayer Pinball (or whatever the fuck it’s called) as my favorite metal-themed smartphone procrastination tool. It’s simple yet challenging, it appeals to my 8-bit sensibilities, there’s plenty of blood, and, oh yeah, the soundtrack is killer.

Yes, of course, this is meant to help Earache promote their shit. But the game features a bare minimum of songs by Earache bands I don’t like (cough, Oceano, cough cough), and those songs are more than offset by the inclusion of groups like At the Gates, Deicide, Brutal Truth, Decapitated, and Wormrot. And whomever designed the game was smart/cool enough to make it so that you can skip to whichever of the ten featured songs you like — in other words, if Bonded by Blood comes up and you don’t like Bonded by Blood, you can easily move along to The Haunted or whatever your particular cup of tea might be. (And apparently there’s a bonus track that you can unlock, but I haven’t gotten that far yet. I’m hoping it’s a Godflesh song, even though that would make no mothertruckin’ sense whatsoever.)

Check out a sample video below…

If you go here and give Earache your e-mail address, you can also potentially win the helmet the charcter in the game wears, although I think the game itself is a much cooler prize, and you don’t need to enter no contest to get it.

You can download the game here. Like I said, it’s totally free, so you really have nothing to lose by trying it out (other than the time you’re going to spend playing this instead of doing something productive). And you can get the full track list after the jump.

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Welcome to “Question of the Week,” a (sometimes) weekly debate amongst the MetalSucks staff regarding a recent hot button issue.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, which means we’re taking off early today and won’t be back ’til Monday. We’re sorry to leave non-American readers high n’ dry, but PLUS ONE FOR FREEDOM, MOTHERFUCKERS.

ANYWAY, in honor of the holiday, we decided to do a special Turkey Day-themed QOTW designed to make you feel all warm and cuddly inside:

WHAT (IN METAL) ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

The MS staff’s answers after the jump.

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FRIENDLY REMINDER: Vince and I are taking over WSOU tomorrow from 4 -8! It’s the only radio station on the eastern seaboard that’s actually worth a damn, and it’s gonna have the awesomeness that is US, so listen in!!! We’ll be taking callers, too. If you live in the area, it’s 89.5 FM on your radio; everyone else can listen on the Internet right here.

And now here’s some things we did this week:

• We spoke to Decapitated’s Vogg, All Shall Perish’s Ben Orum, Within the Ruins’ Tim Goergen and Joe Cocchi, and Iron Thrones’ Steve Henningsgard.
• We debuted a new track by Moth Eater.
• We wondered, “What’s the big deal about Lady Gaga?” as she danced to Metallica.
• We rocked out to a newly-released Soundgarden song, and we couldn’t believe that the new Limp Bizkit song has a guitar solo!
• We commended Australia for its populations’ collective child-rearing skills.
• We marveled at this nine year’s old review of Reign in Blood.
• We sang Monster Magnet’s praises.
• We asked you to help us complete this Metal Map of America.
• We watched Kiss put the “ass” in “Massachusetts.”
• We wished Behemoth’s Nergal a speedy recovery.

Okay. I hope to hear some of your voices tomorrow! Seriously, guys. Listen. Call. Don’t make me sad. If you do, we’ll schedule Nu Metal Week to take place ASAP.

-AR

To say that guitarist Wacław “Vogg” Kiełtyka has been through a lot would be the understatement of the decade. He co-founded Decapitated, one of the best death metal bands of the past decade, with his brother, drummer Witold “Vitek” Kiełtyka, and the band released four incredible albums in six years; then, in 2007, a tragic van accident befell the group while touring. Vitek didn’t survive, and then-vocalist Adrian “Covan” Kowanek was left in a coma. If Decapitated had ended at that point, well, no one would have been surprised.

But Vogg persevered, and last year, he re-formed the band with an all-new lineup. Which, odd though it may sounds, makes Decapitated’s current headlining stint on the MetalSucks co-sponsored Summer Slaughter Tour one of the most emotional death metal shows you’ll ever see. Because this isn’t just a new band using an old name; it’s a killer new band that absolutely adheres to the spirit and style of the brutal outfit we all know and love, and is absolutely worthy of the name “Decapitated.”

Axl and Vince caught up with Vogg at Summer Slaughter’s recent stop in New York City. After the jump, get Vogg’s thoughts on the new Decapitated, the tour, the band’s next album, and more.

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This year’s Summer Slaughter trek marks the return of Polish groove metal masters Decapitated to American soil, and last Sunday in NYC we got to witness the band’s new lineup first-hand. As expected, they completely slayed faces. No disrespect to Vitek and Covan, but the new lineup of Decapitated is fucking phenomenal and makes you forget the terrible tragedy to befall their brothers.

I haven’t found any decent footage of Decapitated’s NYC Summer Slaughter performance, but reader Chris Uber sent in this fantastic HD video of the band’s first performance with the new members, back on February 9th. Imagine this, but on a bigger stage and with more people watching and that’s what Summer Slaughter was like. It fucking ruled, plain and simple.

-VN

We don’t like Carnifex — in fact, we think they’re the only blemish on the otherwise pristine Summer Slaughter line-up — but we know at lot of you do really like Carnifex. Because you e-mail us about them. Constantly.

So here’s the band’s new video, for “Sorrowspell,” which sounds like the name of a pagan metal band but whatever. I think it’s a pretty standard performance clip, but, again, I’m really only posting it to remind you about Summer Slaughter, which is currently underway, also includes Decapitated, The Faceless, All Shall Perish, The Red Chord, Veil of Maya, Cephalic Carnage, Decrepit Birth, Animals as Leaders, and Vital Remains, and is, oh yeah, partially sponsored by us. Get dates here.

-AR

Yes, YES, YES!!! Talk about an awesome way to kick off the weekend. Cephalic Carnage have given the world its first taste of their new album, Misled by Certainty, in the form of “Abraxas of Filth,” which you can stream here. It’s awesome. From its opening notes I knew it was awesome, but then it just got more and more awesome, and then it exploded in a mushroom cloud of awesomeness. Well, awesomeness and weed smoke. I mean, you don’t listen to Cephalic Carnage sober, do you? I don’t think they’d want you to do that.

Holy shit. Listening to the song for a third time now, and it just keeps getting better and better. Go check it out already.

Misled by Certainty is out August 31 on Relapse, and is now avail for pre-order. And don’t forget that the band will be on the MetalSucks co-sponsored Summer Slaughter tour, along with Decapitated, The Faceless, All Shall Perish, The Red Chord, Veil of Maya, Decrepit Birth, Animals as Leaders, Vital Remains, and Carnifex. The trek kicks off next week! Dates here.

-AR

It was just Monday that I was saying how stoked I am to hear Decrepit Birth’s new album, Polarity, and now the band are streaming a track from that forthcoming release, “(A Departure Of The Sun) Ignite The Tesla Coil.”

And it’s sssssssiiiicccckkk. Technical and proggy and just as shove-a-fist-up-your-enemy’s-ass-and-rip-out-his-intestines brutal as you’d expect from, well, any band that would call itself “Decrepit Birth.” And none of what I’ve just written is news to DB fans, but, y’know. Now there’s more of it! And it seems a lot “er,” too. As in, “proggier,” “heavier,” “betterer,” etc. So check that shit out and let us know what you think.

Polarity comes out July 27 on Nuclear Blast. Cutting and pasting from myself on Monday: Decrepit Birth will be part of the MetalSucks co-sponsored Summer Slaughter tour, along with Decapitated, The Red Chord, The Faceless, All Shall Perish, Veil of Maya, Cephalic Carnage, Animals as Leaders, Vital Remains, and Carnifex. Get dates and details here.

-AR

The Deciblog unveiled the cover art for the new Decrepit Birth album, Polarity, this past Friday evening, and, y’know… it’s Dan Seagrave. He has a very distinct style, which you either dig or do not dig. Personally, I think it’s pretty cool, and it makes me that much more excited to hear the record.

Polarity comes out July 27 on Nuclear Blast. And don’t forget that Decrepit Birth will be part of the MetalSucks co-sponsored Summer Slaughter tour – a.k.a. “The only can’t-miss summer festival this year” – along with Decapitated, The Red Chord, The Faceless, All Shall Perish, Veil of Maya, Cephalic Carnage, Animals as Leaders, Vital Remains, and Carnifex. Get dates and details here.

-AR

[UPDATE: Some dates have been changes since the above poster was released. Updated cities and venues after the jump.]

A lot of you thought that the “big surprise” we hinted at last week was the announcement of Summer Slaughter 2010 dates. By now it’s obvious that that wasn’t the big surprise, but lucky for you we’ve got Summer Slaughter dates today anyway!

In case you somehow missed the news, the MetalSucks co-sponsored Summer Slaughter tour is without a doubt THE metal package tour to be at this summer with a lineup that’s sexier than Sammy O’Hagar and Kip W. having an orgy with the MS Mansion Monkeys. Decapitated, The Faceless, All Shall Perish, The Red Chord, Veil of Maya, Cephalic Carnage, Decrepit Birth, Animals as Leaders, Vital Remains… and, uh, Carnifex… will be taking the U.S. by storm this July and August. We’re beyond stoked for this lineup, and you should be too.

Dates are after the jump.

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Summer Slaughter is without a doubt the best metal tour hitting the U.S. pavement this Summer. The 100% confirmed, official lineup, which MetalSucks exclusively can reveal to you now, is…

DECAPITATED
THE FACELESS
ALL SHALL PERISH
THE RED CHORD
VEIL OF MAYA
CEPHALIC CARNAGE
DECREPIT BIRTH
CARNIFEX
ANIMALS AS LEADERS
VITAL REMAINS

I mean… wow. That lineup is unbelievably sexy and unfuckwithable. There isn’t a single band I could skip seeing other than Carnifex, and we gather many of you will feel the exact same way. There’s no doubt about it: Summer Slaughter is by far the best metal tour of Summer 2010. Rockstar Mayhem is lame, Ozzsharonfest is surely gonna be lame, and “The Cool Tour” is uh, not cool at all save a couple of bands. Comments tour founder and booking agent Ash Avildsen on how Summer Slaughter fits in (or doesn’t) with this Summer’s other metal tours: “I don’t think those tours really compete for many of the same fans as Summer Slaughter. This is focused on underground extreme metal rather than mainstream metal. All of our shows also have air conditioning.” Hooray for air conditioning!

The lineup is a shade younger than in years past, but young bands like The Faceless, Veil of Maya and Animals as Leaders are ones that are more likely to appeal to an older crowd than, say, Born of Osiris would. Avildsen knows exactly what he’s doing: “It’s a much younger line up this year, rather than a lot of older bands in the headlining positions. Tickets will be much cheaper for this same reason, coming in at under $20 in advance almost everywhere with the exception of LA and NYC. Most will be $18.” And it’s cheap, too… extra bonus.

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Decapitated have been roaming the UK for the past week for their first tour with their newly minted lineup. Though the new members of Decapitated had some pretty big shoes to fill — not that stepping in for dead or injured band members is ever easy — I think that most Decapitated fans are pretty curious and optimistic about how this new lineup will play out.

MS reader Seb S. was at last night’s show at the O2 Academy Islington in London, the final show of their 8-date UK trek with Kataklysm (Kataklysm skipped this London show). Seb filmed the first two songs of the set and was kind enough to upload his handiwork and send us a link.

So far so good, I guess? It’s always hard to tell from these fan-filmed videos, but the band sounds tight. It looks they’re having a good time and the audience does too.

-VN

As first discussed back in October, Wacek “Vogg” Kieltyka, guitarist & sole remaining founding member of Decapitated, has announced the band’s new line-up:

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According to a press release just picked up on the newswire by the MS Mansion Monkeys, Polish death metallers Decapitated — who were decimated by a car wreck in 2007 that killed one member and left another in a coma — are on their way back. Wacek “Vogg” Kieltyka, guitarist & founding member, has issued the following statement:

“It’s time to come back!  After a two-year break, DECAPITATED is coming back with new members.  The official new line-up for DECAPITATED will be announced at the end of December.

“As you all know, the decision to continue the band was really, really hard for me, but everything I do now is to keep DECAPITATED alive. [Vocalist] Covan’s situation has not improved much and he is still in bed and unable to function on his own.  He still fights to recover as we speak and we are all still 100% behind him and hope for the best.  It has been the hardest thing for me to move on without [brother & drummer] Vitek by my side, but he would have wanted me to continue with the band.”

It strikes me as odd that Vogg isn’t revealing the identities of the new members, seeing as everyone seems to know that Kerim “Krimh” Lechner — whose impressive solo work I posted earlier this week — is the new drummer. Even the band’s Wikipedia page (not that Wikipedia is always the bastion of truth… but still) claims that Krimh was announced as an official member on July 31st of this year, and you all immediately called it in the comments of the above-linked Krimh post. Perhaps Krimh has been dismissed? I guess we’ll have to wait until December to find out. In the meantime, check out the above video of Krimh’s latest song “Go In Circles.”

Vogg then goes on to reveal the band’s upcoming touring plans:

Click to read more…