Old School Death Metal had a strong appeal in the 90's due the fall of Thrash Metal into the depths of the underground scene, and the Grunge Rock invasion that took the parades by assault. It was the time when bands as OBITUARY, DEICIDE, BOLT THROWER, PESTILENCE, SINISTER, ENTOMBED, DISMEMBER, CARCASS, BENEDICTION and many more called the attention of those who wanted something aggressive and nasty instead of the boring melancholy of Grunge/Alternative trends. But still today, that old format incites passion on many, as can be heard on "Where Death Lies", the latest release from Belgian band CARNATION.

Their music can be labeled as a technical form of Old School Death Metal, bearing influences from names as EDGE OF SANITY, IN FLAMES, AT THE GATES, because even with the Old School essence, they work their instrumental technique in a great way, and even some subjective melodic aesthetics can be heard. But for those who just want to hear a brutal form of music, this album was done for them, and what amazing energy comes from its songs! The album was mixed by the hands of Yarne Heylen and mastered by the studio genius Jens Bogren, what resulted on an excellent sound quality, keeping the Old School essence of the band's music, but creating a clean and defined outfit for the listeners. It's brutal and aggressive, but in a way that any dummy can understand.

The sharp and brutal "Iron Discipline" (a massive Death Metal assault with very good guitars and grunts), the excellent melodies on the beginning of "Sepulcher of Alteration" (the technical work from bass guitar and drums is very good here), the jigsaw guitars "Spirit Excision" (but some Thrash Metal influences can be heard on this song as well), the annihilation duo of "Napalm Ascension" and "Serpent's Breath" (both with good grunts from the vocals), the grasping fury of "Reincarnation" the right ones for a massive pain in the neck.

It's clear that CARNATION still has potential to be explored, but "Where Death Lies" shows that they're on the right path.