Cephalic Carnage

Believe it or don't, a decade has passed since Fortuitous Oddity, Cephalic Carnage's self-released debut, first assaulted eardrums in these parts. Since then, the fearsome five have established themselves internationally as extreme-metal madmen par excellence, and Xenosapien will only enhance that reputation. The eleven songs here constitute a jolt of aural anarchy, served straight up.

Related Content

• Stream of Unconscioussness
  November 10, 2010
• Flying Close to the Sun
  February 24, 2010
• Eve of Destruction
  August 22, 2007
• The Fears of a Clown: MC Frontalot Gets Trapped in Unfunny Nerdspeak
  November 21, 2007
• The subtle arithmetic of My Morning Jacket
  December 27, 2006

More About

• Zac Joe
• Steve Goldberg
• Stephen Hawking

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

Lenzig Leal's vocals haven't softened over time; they still vacillate between guttural roars and crazed shrieks. Yet the band as a whole has broadened its style without diluting the intensity. "Divination & Volition" features thrillingly virtuosic guitar jousts between Zac Joe and Steve Goldberg, while "The Omega Point" twins visceral riffs with what sounds like a Stephen Hawking sample. Other cuts pit assorted elements against each other cage-match style, including a relentless combination of hardcore, art rock, and assorted stonerisms dubbed "Touched by an Angel" — although "Pummeled by an Angel" would be a more appropriate title.

Thank you, sir. May I have another?