Carnivore (band)

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Carnivore

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Img_capt = Carnivore performing live at Wacken Open Air in 2006
Img_size = 250
Landscape = yes
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Brooklyn, New York, United States
Genre = Thrash metal
Years_active = 1982−1987, 2006−present
Label = Roadrunner
Associated_acts = Fallout
Type O Negative
URL =
Current_members =
Past_members =

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.

Brief history

The band released two albums: "Carnivore" in January 1986 and "Retaliation" in September 1987. Soon after the second album was released, the band broke up 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 many years, the band has reunited on several occasions, including a brief tour in 1996.

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.

Reunion and new album

On April 24, 2006, German Rock Hard Magazine stated that another reunion show was announced to take place at Wacken Open Air in Germany which followed for a tour in the US. Peter Steele has stated that there will be a new Carnivore album and tour in 2008-09.

Members

Original line-up

* Peter Steele − vocals, bass guitar (Type O Negative)
* Louie Beato − drums
* Keith Alexander − guitar (Primal Scream - NY)

From "Retaliation" until split-up

* Peter Steele − vocals, bass guitar
* Louie Beato − drums
* Marc Piovanetti − guitar, vocals (Crumbsuckers)

2006 reunion line-up

* Peter Steele − vocals, bass guitar (Type O Negative)
* Paul Bento − guitar ( [http://www.myspace.com/metalhealthassociation Metal Health Association] )
* Steve Tobin − drums (Metal Health Association, Mike Orlando's Sonic Stomp, Dust to Dust)
* Joey Z. − guitar, additional vocals (Life of Agony/Stereomud)

Discography

tudio albums

* "Carnivore" (1986) LP, CS (1990) CD
* "Retaliation" (1987) LP,CS (1990) CD
* "Carnivore/Retaliation" (Both albums on one single disc, some tracks omitted) (July 1, 1991) CD only
* "Carnivore" (Re-Issue, remastered with 3 demo bonus tracks added) (January 22, 2001) CD
* "Retaliation" (Re-Issue, remastered with 3 demo bonus tracks added) (January 22, 2001) CD
* "Carnivore" (Deluxe Re-Issue, remastered, 3 demo bonus tracks) (October 5, 2007) 2LP
* "Retaliation" (Deluxe Re-Issue, remastered, 3 demo bonus tracks) (October 5, 2007) 2LPAll albums were released on the label Roadrunner Records.

Trivia

*Original Carnivore guitarist Keith Alexander died in a motorcycle 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.

External links

* [http://www.inner-conflict.com/ Official website]
*MySpace|carnivoresovietbrooklyn
* [http://www.rockhard.de/home.php3?rubrik=147&grafik=1&inc=detail_54.inc&ihid=14079 Album review in Rock Hard issue 16] (in German)
* [http://www.rockhard.de/home.php3?rubrik=147&grafik=1&inc=detail_54.inc&ihid=14241 Album review in Rock Hard issue 22] (in German)