UMUR
"Carnivore" is the 7th full-length studio album by US metal act Body Count. The album was released through Century Media Records in March 2020. It´s the successor to "Bloodlust" from 2017 and is now the third Body Count album in a row to feature the same lineup. "Carnivore" features guest vocal performances by Amy Lee (Evanescence), Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed), and late Power Trip vocalist Riley Gale. Dave Lombardo also guests playing drums on the cover of Ice-T´s "Colors".
In addition to "Colors", "Carnivore" features two more covers. Another Ice-T cover in the form of "6 In Tha Morning" (which is a bonus track, and quite a brilliant song) and a cover of "Ace of Spades" by Motörhead. The 8 remaining tracks are originals, and it´s of some notice that not a single track is credited to lead guitarist Ernie-C, who used to write most of the band´s music (the instrumental part of the music that is). Stylistically the material on "Carnivore" still sound unmistakably like Body Count though. Crossover hardcore/thrash and heavy rock/metal with lead vocalist Ice-T singing/rapping about the injustices of this world. Civil rights, corrupt and violent police and politicians, and some lyrics about being true to what you believe in, violence, and the melancholic "When I'm Gone", which features lyrics about remembering to tell your loved ones how much you appreciate them while they are still here. As always he is well articulated, angry, and passionate about the topics he sings about.
"Carnivore" is well produced and the musicianship is on a high level on all posts. To my ears the quality of the songwriting is a bit up and down, but most tracks are instantly catchy and memorable. The materal is also relatively diverse and the guest vocal performances bring a little extra spice to the album. Upon Conclusion "Carnivore" is another strong album by Body Count and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.