| There was a time when metal and punk weren’t neatly divided into subgenres, when raw energy was the only requirement, and when bands carved out their sound with instinct rather than imitation. CARNAGE embodied that era, emerging from the unassuming depths of South Carolina with a self-titled album that perfectly captured the reckless spirit of underground metal in 1986.
Unfiltered and unapologetic, Massacre feels like it could have been a lost gem from the early Metal Massacre compilations—raw, aggressive, and oozing with DIY authenticity. Led by the vision of Spike Marshall, the band didn’t conform to any particular style but instead let their influences run wild. The result? A volatile mix of speed metal urgency, punk attitude, and a hard rock undercurrent that channels everyone from The Stooges to Blue Öyster Cult.
What makes Massacre stand out decades later is its sheer conviction. The seven tracks burst with unrelenting energy, propelled by gritty riffs, adrenaline-fueled tempos, and a sense of reckless abandon that was never meant to be polished or overproduced. It’s the kind of record that could have easily found its place on a shelf alongside early Slayer, Metal Church, or even Warfare.
For those who still hold dear the golden era of underground metal—when bands were unhinged, unrefined, and undeniably real—CARNAGE’s Massacre remains a testament to the spirit of heavy music before the rulebook was written. A lost classic, finally getting the recognition it deserves.
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