The path of a musician is not always a straightforward or easy one. You're driven by the passion for your sound, using that to work tirelessly and navigate the numerous pitfalls along the way. I can only assume that Tunisian metal band CARTHAGODS knows that struggle all too well. Formed in the late 1990s, CARTHAGODS considers themselves one of the first metal bands out of Tunisia and have made their name primarily through live performances. They've opened for and collaborated with dozens of massively popular bands and artists and hope to continue that in the future. That being said, after several hiccups with recording labels they are now ready to release just their second full length album, "The Monster in Me". Well, thankfully for them this release is a beast of an album that should leave no doubts in the metal world that the musicians in CARTHAGODS are a true force.

"The Monster in Me" wastes no time cranking up the power. Opening track, "Whispers From the Wicked" starts off with a gargantuan, full metal beginning. Guitars, bass, and drums rip into a dark, thundering intro filling the song to the brim with atmosphere and woeful energy. This package is complete once Mahdi Khema comes in on vocals. His delivery is a rich baritone, deep and sonorous, that perfectly complements the dark powerful vibe within CARTHAGODS. The chorus for this track is super catchy as the bass drum methodically pounds out the beat for a brilliant, sustained vocal melody.

Title track, "The Monster in Me," is next and continues that same intense, resonant shadowy energy that pervades the album. CARTHAGODS, as a band, have this ability to lean into pulsing, heartbeat rhythms that are engaging and addictive. Not to mention their ability to channel that energy and emotion into a gradual crescendo that leads to an epic chorus. This is exemplified in "The Monster in Me," but is very true for the rest of the songs on their album. And I usually don't talk about music videos too often in my reviews, but their video for "The Monster in Me" is well worth a watch. Most of the video centers around some sort of tribalistic ritual featuring Khema, but the events are presented in reverse order which result in a very creepy but interesting effect.

This tone from the first two tracks is definitely representative of the rest of the album, which is a good thing. CARTHAGODS has found that zone in songwriting where the songs could come off as "same-y", but in this case, they don't. Each song is rich and powerful, while balancing moments that are ominous and dark but in an engaging way. And every now and then, they throw something new out there that takes you by surprise. One such moment for me occurred in their song "A Last Sigh". A slower song, this track takes a heavy approach as it lumbers along, bass heavy instruments leading the way. And then the breakdown hits. At around the two-thirds point of the song, they orchestrate a thunderous breakdown followed by an amazing set of guitar solos. These are the moments that you dream for in an already impressive album.

The biggest comparison I can offer for CARTHAGODS would be Matt Barlow-era PYRAMAZE. For me, this is a huge compliment as I've found all of PYRAMAZE's albums to be top notch and not often replicable. CARTHAGODS offers a powerful and worthwhile album along the same vein of dark power and progressive metal. My best wishes go out to these impressive Tunisian rockers and I hope that this amazing record gets them some acclaim that they rightly deserve.

Favorite Songs: "Whispers from the Wicked", "The Monster in Me", "A Last Sigh"