CARNAL RUIN hailing from Tampa, Florida were formed in 2018. It is another band from the rich reservoir of Florida Death Metal. "The Damned Lie Rotting" is their second EP after their debut in 2018 and a demo release in 2019. The EP was mixed, mastered, and engineered at The Swamp Sound studio in Florida by Hunter Young and released via Cleveland label Redefining Darkness Records which is specialized in Death/Thrash/Black Metal. There is no official video release from the EP. It has a total length of just under 17 minutes.

So, here comes another release from Redefining Darkness and the label rarely disappoints. CARNAL RUIN deliver an EP that is based on classical Death Metal. However, do not expect a sound that is just another Florida Death Metal sound, it is much more influenced by some of the European finest Death Metal bands. You will find more elements from Sweden (ENTOMBED, DISMEMBER) and England (NAPALM DEATH) than from the Florida neighborhood. And that is a good thing! "The Damned Lie Rotting" is a mix of songs that are played in mid-tempo or faster, including crunching guitar riffs, relentless drumming, and guttural vocals from low to medium range.

"Elder Spell" is a strong opener that shows the direction. A fast and intense start that animates to head-bang, simple but effective guitar riffs, and a flesh-ripping lead guitar during the middle part of the song. There is a change in rhythm half-way through when it all becomes a bit chaotic and distorted with some very fast short sequences. "Scholomance" is perhaps my personal favorite. It starts slow and gloomy with some great guitar riffing and lead sequences, before it transitions towards a fast and aggressive head-banging rhythm. The song has several short breaks where the tempo slows down and then immediately returns to the main rhythm, occasionally enhanced by short blast beat spells.

"Ode To The Conquered (As The Damned Lie Rotting)" starts with slow and heavy, powerful riffs. It quickly comes to speed, and overall, it is perhaps the fastest song on the EP. The guitar riffing is not overly technical, but very effective and, alongside the hammering blast beats in between, makes the song sound brutal. "Iniquitous, Devout" is the longest song on the EP and starts, once again, slow with a transition to the fast hammering rhythm shortly after. The song has, as the other songs as well, several short mid-tempo breaks. During the middle part, there is a longer mid-tempo sequence that includes hammering blast beats, and a dark and spine-chilling lead guitar solo that lasts to the final conclusion of the song.

"The Damned Lie Rotting" is an intriguing EP that makes appetite for more. It is based on classical Death Metal with strong European influences. The sound has neat but aggressive rhythms, it is not too technical and very dynamic. CARNAL RUIN understand it brilliantly to vary their sound in order to keep the listener focused and interested. Although influenced by some great Death Metal bands, the songs on "The Damned Lie Rotting" have their own character and identity.
The EP is well produced. CARNAL RUIN is definitely a band to watch out and Death Metal fans should look forward to a full-length album of this young exciting band.