Retaliation
Carnivore · 1987
66 min · 15 tracks · thrash metal
Brutal riffs and provocative lyrics collide in a ferocious display of speed metal and thrash that challenges societal norms.
Top tracks — play these first
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Race War — This track stands out for its unflinching examination of racial tensions, encapsulating the album's confrontational spirit while pushing boundaries in metal lyrics.
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Jesus Hitler — With its striking juxtaposition of religious and political imagery, this track exemplifies Carnivore's knack for shocking commentary through brutal musicianship.
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Ground Zero Brooklyn — This song captures the gritty essence of urban life and disillusionment, showcasing the band's storytelling ability alongside their musical ferocity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines aggressive riffs with provocative themes, making it distinct within thrash metal but not universally impactful.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features fast-paced tracks with aggressive guitar riffs and shouted vocals, while the second half introduces slower tempos and more complex arrangements.
- Several tracks employ abrupt tempo changes, creating a jarring effect that enhances the confrontational nature of the lyrics.
- The album's lyrical content often tackles controversial subjects, with songs like 'Race War' and 'Jesus Hitler' pushing boundaries in both theme and delivery.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- provocative themes with dark humor
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- cathartic release of aggression
- late-night venting sessions
- headbanging energy for stress relief
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of soft melodies
- prefer instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1987, Retaliation was Carnivore's second album, following their self-titled debut. At this point, the band was solidifying its identity within the underground metal scene, balancing aggressive sounds with controversial themes. The album marked a significant step in their evolution as they sought to expand their audience while retaining their raw edge.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Jack Daniel's and Pizza 0:55
- 2 Angry Neurotic Catholics 2:48
- 3 S.M.D. 2:26
- 4 Ground Zero Brooklyn 4:40
- 5 Race War 5:56
- 6 Inner Conflict 5:03
- 7 Jesus Hitler 5:18
- 8 Technophobia 3:56
- 9 Manic Depression 3:06
- 10 U.S.A. for U.S.A. 3:21
- 11 Five Billion Dead 3:02
- 12 Sex and Violence 3:49
- 13 World Wars III and IV (demo) 7:42
- 14 Carnivore (demo) 3:41
- 15 The Subhuman (demo) 11:09
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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