Live Review: Carnivore A.D. – Manchester

Reformed in 2017 with the addition of the AD suffix, original Carnivore drummer Louie Beato recruited former guitarist Marc Piovanetti as two-thirds of the Retribution line-up, bringing in New York native, Baron Misuraca, to fill the bassist-cum-vocalist role.

Attempting to replace the departed Pete Steele is almost mission: impossible, but Baron doesn’t just play the bass and have that deep Steele voice, but also genuinely favours the big man too; plus his work in Sheer Terror and Darkside NYC solidifies his NYHC credentials.

It’s a rare treat to see the band touring the UK, and a muggy, rainy Tuesday evening in July seems like the best time to catch their intense performance at one of town’s best small venues.

Opening things are Liverpool’s Chain of Survival, who had the honour of opening the show for Sick of It All at the Rebellion Bar a year or so back. By their own admission, the band are pushing themselves to the limit, as they only usually play for about twenty-five minutes, they’re having to dig down the back of the musical sofa and find whatever might have slipped back there.

Their combination of Hardcore Punk and Crossover Metal comes with blasting drums and dirty riffs; the front of the stage is quickly populated with some pit-killing, but that doesn’t seem to last too long.

Both the Failure Rate and self-titled EPs get a complete airing, pummelling the early crowd with heavy hardcore, two-steppin’ vibes and some distinctly classic rock sounding moments. There’s also covers of Sepultura and Cro-Mags’ Hard Times; and a shameless plug for the suddenly discounted CDs from their merchandise stand.

It seems to be an obvious move, but as Chain of Survival are disassembling their stage, the PA is awakened with Type O Negative’s Love You to Death from October Rust and continue to play the band until the headliner takes the stage.

Neither Beato nor Piovanetti are members of Carnivore AD so Baron has recruited guitarist Chuck Lenihan, ex-Crumbsuckers and Christian Death, and one-time Kreator / Massacre / Whiplash drummer, Joe Cangelosi, with the blessing of the Louie and Marc.

With just two albums from which to craft their set, Carnivore dive straight into their slow and brooding opening of the band’s titular tune before unleashing that trademark thrashing crossover sound. Chuck’s virtuoso fretboard tapping and Joe’s monumental percussion compliment the imposing figure of Baron, as he occupies the left of the stage, his bass appearing somewhat oversized when compared to the guitar to his right.

Angry Neurotic Catholics sees them diving deeper into the unhinged crossover torment, with screaming guitars, inhuman bends and blitzkrieg drums, while Predator finds Carnivore heading in a more thrashing direction with a more intense riff.

The early Type O Negative tunes, Xero Tolerance and Der Untermensch, are more in a Black Sabbath meets Venom mode, and the guitar torture heard during Jesus Hitler is quite literally an ear-bleeding experience.

Mr Steele was a masterful host, and Baron emulates the big man’s banter by comparing his Brooklyn accent with some standard – but unplaceable – English one, though certainly not one you hear around Manchester on a normal Tuesday; and how the Americans ‘sprung’ from us Brits – whether

that was meant in a musical manner, or genetic one is unclear, but much of a muchness whatever way.

Male Supremacy channels the band’s inner NYHC with some of their own two-steppin’ rhythms during the chorus, hands are raised aloft for the classic metal of Race War, which begins with the proclamation that Carnivore are anti-racist and anti-xenophobic because, in the end, “we all lose…” as Baron quotes from the song’s more thrashing intensity.

Any song called Sex and Violence is going to be a winner – just ask The Exploited – as the trio bring the curtain down on their hour upon the stage. Baron declares Carnivore’s intention to return soon and, following Chuck’s impromptu Star-Spangled Banner lick, close off the evening with a monstrous version of World Wars III and IV.

The hardcore fans are getting messed up in the pit and calling for some of the more obscure tracks, which is to the liking of the band, as is the good-natured violence directly in front of the stage.

Mention and applause is given for the two fallen members of Carnivore, Pete Steele and Keith Alexander, both taken in untimely fashions, but their combined legacy is secured on nights like this.

Pete once said that the purpose of Carnivore was that, sometimes, you just have to upset people, and for the brief time they were functional, Carnivore did just that.

It’s just great to hear some of those Brooklyn crossover classics still be played live – long may they continue.