Carnal Forge

by Steve HueyCarnal Forge, while aligned with Sweden's fertile death metal scene, actually harks back more to classic thrash and speed metal, particularly Slayer (as well as the melodic sensibilities of countrymen At the Gates). Formed in September 1997, the band featured vocalist Jonas Kjellgren (ex-Dellamorte and Centinex), guitarists Jari Kuusisto and Johan Magnusson, bassist Dennis Vestman, and drummer Stefan Westerberg; Westerberg and Kuusisto had previously performed together as part of In Thy Dreams. Carnal Forge's debut album, Who's Gonna Burn, was released in 1998 (by Relapse in America and War in Europe); the band signed a worldwide deal with Century Media soon after. Their second album, Firedemon, appeared in 2000, with Kuusisto's brother Petri having replaced Vestman. New singer Jens C. Mortensen joined Carnal Forge in late 2004 and made his first recorded appearance with the band on 2007's Testify for My Victims.