Carnifex

With a name that derives from the Latin word for butcher or executioner and a sound that is deeply rooted in the intense genre of deathcore, it is fair to say a Carnifex show is not for everyone. In fact you have to be pretty dedicated to this San Diego band's music and mentality before stepping into the twisted world of their live performance. As the venue basks in an eerie red and black glow, the group files onto stage and the whole crowd erupts. It is clear that the majority present are dedicated fans who have been listening to Carnifex throughout their decade long career.

From the first instrumentals, the whole room begins to surge towards the stage as the quintet remain partially entranced in their instrumentals. As the percussion kicks in they begin to wildly head bang, long hair flying everywhere whilst the crowd mimic the actions. Scott Lewis leers at the audience and orders them to give their all throughout the short but severe setlist. There is moshing during 'Dark Days' whilst intense solos lead up to 'Hell Chose Me' and the whole room chants back the chorus at huge volumes.

I don't recommend winds of Plague for those with weak hearts, pregnancy, or those under the height of 5'2". The reason for this is because the entire sea of crowd is just a mosh pit. Not just an ordinary punk or metal mosh pit, no. If you're not coming out with some bruises, you're doing something wrong.

I've seen them 5 times now, and the worst is when you're in a closed in space inside a building or a fenced in venue where there are too many people bouncing around. The guy next to me got clipped in the face with an elbow and lost a tooth, landed square on his back and was trampled for a few seconds before a few people got him up when a security guard showed up, and it wasn't even like that was the worst injury I saw that night, just part of the show.

The music is deep and heavy, what you would expect from Deathcore. Flashing lights from both ambulances and the stage lit up the whole sky white and red. If you want to know what visiting the apocalypse would feel like, with an awesome soundtrack, go see these guys. Just bring some protection. Like a bat, or a nut guard.