Greetings and felicitations, children of technology. Welcome to the post-apocalyptic world of Carnivore. Few bands are hardy enough to survive thermonuclear destruction but, led by the imposing Petrus T. Steele, this trio of New Yorkers had what it takes to survive World War III (and IV.)
Along with Keith Alexander on guitar and Louis Beateaux on drums, Petrus and Carnivore unleashed their S/T debut album in 1985. It’s a raunchy and primitive mix of Punk and Metal with a hefty dose of Doom and Steele’s beefy vocals. Although the style is crude the performance is tight with live energy and just enough production effects to sound suitably futuristic. Predator kicks the proceedings off and sets the scene of life beneath the rrrrruined city. Male Supremacy has a dirty Crüe-style opening riff and unforgettable chorus. Armageddon has rampaging Crossover Thrash velocity and another golden chorus hook. There are also playful, musical detours: God is Dead’s chorus is mellow bongo-driven weirdness and Male Supremacy culminates in romantic balladry as Petrus returns home to his woman after a hard day’s war.
The second side dips a little compared to the stronger first half but is saved by the more remarkable Doom sections (the “Crush Kill Destroy” section of Thermonuclear Warrior for example) and the rollicking, propulsive World Wars III and IV which ends the album on a high. Lyrically, Carnivore stick to what they know: the life and philosophy of post-apocalyptic, cannibal barbarians hunting for unsuspecting victims to chow down on. It’s something we can all relate to. The whole album is right up my Venom-loving street: filthy and rowdy with the hyper-masculinity of Manowar and a pre-GWAR sense of fun and mythology that wisely stops short of out-and-out comedy.
Petrus T. Steele would later change his name to Peter Steele and go on to great success in his next band Type O Negative. There is very little of Type O’s seductive, swooning October Rust style here but there are plenty of other similarities: the Hardcore elements of Type O’s debut Slow, Deep and Hard and later tracks like Kill All the White People. The shock-tactic humour, bass-heavy Doom riffs and songwriting chops are also heavily indicative of Steele’s future musical direction. Despite their talent for post-nuclear survival Carnivore only lasted for one more album before calling it a day but their music has proved more resilient. Carnivore is full of choice, prime cuts. Bon Appetit.
HEAVY METAL OVERLOAD 
These guys look like a bunch of wimps!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah. Clearly making up for their lack of physical stature with their silly macho music.
LikeLike
There is a talented tailor out there responsible for those outfits.
LikeLike
Not anymore. They ate him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol! Well, carnivores!
LikeLike
They’d like to meet ya. They’d love to eat ya.
LikeLike
I suppose it wouldn’t help if I told them I wasn’t very tasty.
LikeLike
I think the best defence is probably pointing them in the direction of some ladies!
LikeLike
Are they picky?
LikeLike
I doubt it.
LikeLike
Then there’s plenty to choose from in this town! Send ’em downtown.
LikeLike
I guess you can never have enough post-apocalyptic, cannibal barbarians running around, now can you? can they eat my neighbours next?
LikeLike
I don’t know dude. They might get scared off by your wierd insects!
LikeLike
That probably explains why they are avoiding me? (I admit, I did drop the spider into their backyard!)
LikeLike
Thank you! I was eating my veggie pizza and listening to Carnivore!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope it was tasty. Not sure Carnivore would approve of being the soundtrack to your veggie ways!
LikeLike
As a post-apocalyptic cannibal barbarian myself I don’t see what all the fuss is about. Now if you’ll excuse me I need to get back to my woman.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Are you all weak and sore after a hard day’s war?
LikeLike
Like you wouldn’t believe. Now ive got to go home and finish all the paperwork, bummer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah… paperwork. The occupational hazard of every post-apocalyptic thermonuclear cannibal.
LikeLike
That and trying to arrange holiday cover over Christmas.
LikeLike
Love to be a fly on the wall at that office party!
LikeLike
Oh man, that time we photocopied Grabaxe’s severed head! Crazy.
LikeLike
I love that that guy has a gigantic wrench. I mean, the axe I understand, but what the hell with the wrench, man? Hahaha oh right, it’s METAL!
LikeLike
I guess someone has to look after all the Mad Max-style vehicles too.
LikeLike
You had me at this:
“filthy and rowdy with the hyper-masculinity of Manowar and a pre-GWAR sense of fun and mythology that wisely stops short of out-and-out comedy.”
Hell YES! Great write-up, man!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am playing that track as I type this and it makes me wanna go breeeeaaaaakkkkk sttttuuuuuuuuuuuufffffffffff!!!!!!! Yarrrrrrggggg!!!!
LikeLike
Until the making love on the fur bit anyway. What happened then?
LikeLike
I’m Scared!
LikeLiked by 1 person