Review: “Carnival Of Atrocities” by Sarkasm

Some people say that it’s not about the destination but the journey it took to reach it. If that was true then Canadian Death Thrash pioneers Sarkasm would have been buried long ago, their initial run from 1990 to 1994 yielding for trailblazing demos but nothing more. They would reunite three times for shows in 2006, 2011 and 2012 before finally admitting that it was time to see just how far their talent could take them in 2019. Signing with Xtreem Music and releasing their first full length album “As Empires Decay” in 2023 a special moment for vocalist Bruno Bernier, bassist Dave Bouchard, drummer Simon Thibodeau and guitarist duo François Dubuc and Yves Parent. Fortunately for us, it was one that spurred them on and two years later we have “Carnival Of Atrocities“, a sophomore album produced Maxime Lacroix (Gastrorrexis, Get The Shot, De Mal En Pire) and mastered by Dan Swanö (Asphyx, Avulsed, Incantation)…

Shorter and sharper than it’s processor “Carnival Of Atrocities” begins with a glorious melody before a blood curdling scream from Bernier as “I Am Chaos” proves he still has the vocal power to drive this band forward into the dark future he depicts with its lyrical narrative. He is the protagonist, a wrathful god who brings destruction that turns rivers to blood and plays the role to perfection as he’s surrounded by a tornado of classic Death Thrash riffs. The talents of Dubuc and Parent are undeniable, their calloused hands capable of producing both technical complexity and glorious hooks. “Murmurs from the Void” follows the same pattern with the bass from Bouchard brought tastefully forward in the mix. Bernier’s rasping vocals are a call from the underworld between crashing cymbals and jackhammer footwork from Thibodeau played at the tempo of the damned. There is even a moment of sinister melody with whispers transitioning into a mid tempo atmospheric solo to bring the house down perfectly. Accenting adds charm with English being Bernier’s second language and when he says “Satan’s Rat” instead of “Satan’s Wrath” on “Echoes of Hyperion” it stands out like a hammer smashed thumb on the first listen. However its a moment that adds an ocean of charm and is soon forgotten in the onslaught of Death tinged Thrash riffs the band have to offer. Whether or not its an attempt to create something a little more atmospheric that doesn’t rely on all an all out attack is a mystery left unsolved but either way it sounds great and the novelty of a change in direction doesn’t wear thin. A little more direct and to the point “Disintegrate” has groove for days, taking what Pantera did for the genre and giving it a crushing modern make over.

They may have aged physically but Sarkasm have lost none of the fire within and continue to spit and snarl their way through venomous material as “Cold Empty Rooms” takes hold. Painting lyrical picture of an apocalyptic future, this one has riffs to satisfy even the hungriest of Metal heads, the quintet never tiring of delivering punchy rhythmic dynamics from thunderous drums and crushing guitars. The best part of that is that their sonic creations are timeless and could have appeared from any point since 1983 without anyone batting an eyelid. In turn that helps give cuts like “Hateful, Spiteful, Vengeful” instant appeal because its got everything you could possibly want from something in the genre, the gravelly gruff vocals telling a dark and demented tale with gusto. Sure, you might feel like you’ve heard material in this style before from other bands but no one has has the verve and swagger that Sarkasm have here. Forget your so called obligatory Power Ballad as well because with “Ex Umbris” the quintet go straight for the jugular with a bruising cut designed to bludgeon you to death. The head bang appeal is huge on this vulgar display of power, the band playing with texture and turmoil as they vent their spleens in wrathful fashion. Restless, relentless and remorseless the grand finale that is “Dead Weight” has been cleverly designed to thin the heard and decimate the weak. It’s so damn electrifying that it could have been the opening cut on this record, proof if evidence was needed that the cliché that is all killer no filler applies to this record. It raises the hairs on the back of the neck, giving you goose bumps on the first listen and calling you to arms by the second, by the third spin you’ll be hooked and in need of rehab [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. I Am Chaos
2. Murmurs from the Void
3. Echoes of Hyperion
4. Disintegrate
5. Cold Empty Rooms
6. Hateful, Spiteful, Vengeful
7. Ex Umbris
8. Dead Weight

“Carnival Of Atrocities” by Sarkasm is out 4th February via Xtreem Music