Review by Adam on May 22, 2002.

All the Soilwork fans who have felt alienated with their latest efforts will definitely find solitude in the new Terror2000! This disc has enough intensity and aggression to tide over anyone thirsting for more speed in their metal. However, those looking for a mix of melody to seep in through the assault will have to look elsewhere since this CD is even harsher than their debut.

A little has changed within the Terror2000 camp since we last heard of them. They have a new drummer by the name of Erik Thyselius, who just obliterates his drumkit. The band have gone for a more raw and straight-forward approach on “Faster Disaster” as well. The band likes to use the term "retro" to describe the new material and I am not one to disagree. Some of this stuff sounds right out of the 80s. The biggest indication of this nod to the old school are the horridly cheesy lyrics. This inevitably lowers the originality score a tad bit more than on their debut, but if there is one thing that shines through more than anything with these guys it would be their undeniable musical talent.

Terror2000 have enlisted some of the talents of other well known metal friends to play on this release. Peter Wichers from Soilwork, Christofer Malmstrom from Darkane, and Mattias from The Defaced all contribute some awesome guitar solos. It really sounds like everyone really had a fun time making this CD, which makes the listening process that much more enjoyable.

If you were a fan of the last album, then you will probably like this one as well since not very much has changed. A lot of it sounds a bit more old school and retro than the debut, but it still has a bit of a modern feel to it as well. Again, if you love thrash metal, then I would highly recommend that you buy this CD when it comes out in stores. It may not be that original, but it seriously kicks ass, and that is definitely the most important thing to consider when purchasing a metal record.

Bottom Line: If you like well played thrash metal, then this will make a nice addition to your metal collection!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality: 2
Overall: 8

Rating: 7 out of 10

Review by Adam on May 22, 2002.

All the Soilwork fans who have felt alienated with their latest efforts will definitely find solitude in the new Terror2000! This disc has enough intensity and aggression to tide over anyone thirsting for more speed in their metal. However, those looking for a mix of melody to seep in through the assault will have to look elsewhere since this CD is even harsher than their debut.

A little has changed within the Terror2000 camp since we last heard of them. They have a new drummer by the name of Erik Thyselius, who just obliterates his drumkit. The band have gone for a more raw and straight-forward approach on “Faster Disaster” as well. The band likes to use the term "retro" to describe the new material and I am not one to disagree. Some of this stuff sounds right out of the 80s. The biggest indication of this nod to the old school are the horridly cheesy lyrics. This inevitably lowers the originality score a tad bit more than on their debut, but if there is one thing that shines through more than anything with these guys it would be their undeniable musical talent.

Terror2000 have enlisted some of the talents of other well known metal friends to play on this release. Peter Wichers from Soilwork, Christofer Malmstrom from Darkane, and Mattias from The Defaced all contribute some awesome guitar solos. It really sounds like everyone really had a fun time making this CD, which makes the listening process that much more enjoyable.

If you were a fan of the last album, then you will probably like this one as well since not very much has changed. A lot of it sounds a bit more old school and retro than the debut, but it still has a bit of a modern feel to it as well. Again, if you love thrash metal, then I would highly recommend that you buy this CD when it comes out in stores. It may not be that original, but it seriously kicks ass, and that is definitely the most important thing to consider when purchasing a metal record.

Bottom Line: If you like well played thrash metal, then this will make a nice addition to your metal collection!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality: 2
Overall: 8

Rating: 7 out of 10

Review by Adam on May 22, 2002.

All the Soilwork fans who have felt alienated with their latest efforts will definitely find solitude in the new Terror2000! This disc has enough intensity and aggression to tide over anyone thirsting for more speed in their metal. However, those looking for a mix of melody to seep in through the assault will have to look elsewhere since this CD is even harsher than their debut.

A little has changed within the Terror2000 camp since we last heard of them. They have a new drummer by the name of Erik Thyselius, who just obliterates his drumkit. The band have gone for a more raw and straight-forward approach on “Faster Disaster” as well. The band likes to use the term "retro" to describe the new material and I am not one to disagree. Some of this stuff sounds right out of the 80s. The biggest indication of this nod to the old school are the horridly cheesy lyrics. This inevitably lowers the originality score a tad bit more than on their debut, but if there is one thing that shines through more than anything with these guys it would be their undeniable musical talent.

Terror2000 have enlisted some of the talents of other well known metal friends to play on this release. Peter Wichers from Soilwork, Christofer Malmstrom from Darkane, and Mattias from The Defaced all contribute some awesome guitar solos. It really sounds like everyone really had a fun time making this CD, which makes the listening process that much more enjoyable.

If you were a fan of the last album, then you will probably like this one as well since not very much has changed. A lot of it sounds a bit more old school and retro than the debut, but it still has a bit of a modern feel to it as well. Again, if you love thrash metal, then I would highly recommend that you buy this CD when it comes out in stores. It may not be that original, but it seriously kicks ass, and that is definitely the most important thing to consider when purchasing a metal record.

Bottom Line: If you like well played thrash metal, then this will make a nice addition to your metal collection!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality: 2
Overall: 8

Rating: 7 out of 10

Review by Adam on May 22, 2002.

All the Soilwork fans who have felt alienated with their latest efforts will definitely find solitude in the new Terror2000! This disc has enough intensity and aggression to tide over anyone thirsting for more speed in their metal. However, those looking for a mix of melody to seep in through the assault will have to look elsewhere since this CD is even harsher than their debut.

A little has changed within the Terror2000 camp since we last heard of them. They have a new drummer by the name of Erik Thyselius, who just obliterates his drumkit. The band have gone for a more raw and straight-forward approach on “Faster Disaster” as well. The band likes to use the term "retro" to describe the new material and I am not one to disagree. Some of this stuff sounds right out of the 80s. The biggest indication of this nod to the old school are the horridly cheesy lyrics. This inevitably lowers the originality score a tad bit more than on their debut, but if there is one thing that shines through more than anything with these guys it would be their undeniable musical talent.

Terror2000 have enlisted some of the talents of other well known metal friends to play on this release. Peter Wichers from Soilwork, Christofer Malmstrom from Darkane, and Mattias from The Defaced all contribute some awesome guitar solos. It really sounds like everyone really had a fun time making this CD, which makes the listening process that much more enjoyable.

If you were a fan of the last album, then you will probably like this one as well since not very much has changed. A lot of it sounds a bit more old school and retro than the debut, but it still has a bit of a modern feel to it as well. Again, if you love thrash metal, then I would highly recommend that you buy this CD when it comes out in stores. It may not be that original, but it seriously kicks ass, and that is definitely the most important thing to consider when purchasing a metal record.

Bottom Line: If you like well played thrash metal, then this will make a nice addition to your metal collection!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality: 2
Overall: 8

Rating: 7 out of 10

Review by Tobias on December 28, 2001.

Carnal Forge is definitely taking shape as one of the prominent bands of the new thrash madness movement in metal. Utilizing the same raging speed and intensity of Soilwork, as well as some of the crunching and ripping precision of Ebony Tears, the band definitely has a solid hold on the growing niche of melodic thrash metal.

The most impressive aspect of the musicianship on this album is definitely the string-work. The guitars create all the melody and variation on the album, ranging from solid riffs to some fantastic and unusual licks.

While the rhythm section is as taught as a high-wire, it seems that its main focus is to blind the listener with blistering speed which can only allow so much room for growth and diversity. Instrumentally, this is where the band needs to take a breather and weigh out the benefits of rigid speed versus dynamic varying speed.

Interestingly enough, while I enjoy the vocal performance and wish that there were many more bands out there that would have the balls to use thrashy screams rather than the ever-safe black metal scream, the vocals of Carnal Forge seem to suffer a similar fate as the percussion; there are not enough dynamics to create the melody or to give a unique edge to individual songs.

Once again, I want to say that the guitars hold a massive intensity and creativity that carries this band well above the mediocre.

Bottom Line: A speed thrashing good time with balls of steel, but thirsting for a few more dynamics to give it an edge above the best.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 7
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 7
Originality: 6
Overall: 7

Rating: 6.8 of 10

Review by Tobias on December 28, 2001.

Carnal Forge is definitely taking shape as one of the prominent bands of the new thrash madness movement in metal. Utilizing the same raging speed and intensity of Soilwork, as well as some of the crunching and ripping precision of Ebony Tears, the band definitely has a solid hold on the growing niche of melodic thrash metal.

The most impressive aspect of the musicianship on this album is definitely the string-work. The guitars create all the melody and variation on the album, ranging from solid riffs to some fantastic and unusual licks.

While the rhythm section is as taught as a high-wire, it seems that its main focus is to blind the listener with blistering speed which can only allow so much room for growth and diversity. Instrumentally, this is where the band needs to take a breather and weigh out the benefits of rigid speed versus dynamic varying speed.

Interestingly enough, while I enjoy the vocal performance and wish that there were many more bands out there that would have the balls to use thrashy screams rather than the ever-safe black metal scream, the vocals of Carnal Forge seem to suffer a similar fate as the percussion; there are not enough dynamics to create the melody or to give a unique edge to individual songs.

Once again, I want to say that the guitars hold a massive intensity and creativity that carries this band well above the mediocre.

Bottom Line: A speed thrashing good time with balls of steel, but thirsting for a few more dynamics to give it an edge above the best.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 7
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 7
Originality: 6
Overall: 7

Rating: 6.8 of 10