Carnivore (band)

Carnivore
Carnivore performing live at Wacken Open Air in 2006
Background information
Origin	Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres	Crossover thrash, hardcore punk, thrash metal, speed metal
Years active	1982–1987, 1994-1996, 2006–2010
Labels	Roadrunner
Past members	Peter Steele Louie Beato Keith Alexander Stan Pillis Marc Piovanetti Paul Bento Steve Tobin Joey Z.

Carnivore was an American crossover thrash band from Brooklyn, New York founded by singer and bassist Peter Steele, and was formed out of the breakup of the Brooklyn metal group Fallout in 1982.

History

Carnivore released their self-titled debut album Carnivore in November 1985. For this album, the band spelled their names in what they thought were "exotic" ways, Petrus T. Steele and Louie Beateaux. The band often dressed as warriors in torn clothing and spikes attached to hockey gear during their live shows at this period. Keith Alexander left the band in 1986 because he wasn't interested in the crossover direction the band was going. He was replaced by Marc Piovanetti, formerly of Crumbsuckers. In September 1987 they released their second album, Retaliation. Soon after their second album was released, the band broke up and Peter Steele formed a new band called Subzero, which would later be renamed Type O Negative. According to the sleeve notes of the "Top Shelf Edition" of their second album, the first Type O Negative album, Slow Deep and Hard was composed largely from material originally written for Carnivore. Peter Steele and Marc Piovanetti wouldn't appear together on a release again until the compilation Songs of the Witchblade: A Soundtrack to the Comic Book in 1998.

Reformation

Despite being disbanded for many years, the band was reactivated on several occasions, including several reunion shows in the mid 1990s with the Retaliation lineup, and an appearance at the 1996 Milwaukee Metalfest, plus several shows in 2006-2007 with a new 4 piece lineup. The new lineup of the band performed at the Wacken Open Air in 2006.

Peter Steele died April 14, 2010, thus ending the reunion.

Musical style

The first Carnivore album was heavily influenced by the contemporary New York metal scene. It also drew inspiration from Black Sabbath and early Judas Priest, whereas the second album had significant crossover influences. The 'post-apocalyptic' theme that dominated the first album and was carried onto parts of the second album, was apparently inspired by a dream Pete Steele had and which became the basis for the lyrics of "Predator", the first song from the original album. The lyrical theme was then expanded on to describe human society (or the lack of one) between imaginary World Wars 3, 4 and possibly 5 (as referenced in the song 'World Wars 3 & 4'). Other lyrical themes included nihilism, anti-religious sentiment, cynicism, and explicit but tongue-in-cheek depictions of gore and despair. Song titles such as "Jesus Hitler", "Race War", "Thermonuclear Warrior," and "God is Dead" reflect these themes.

Band members

Final lineup

• Peter Steele − lead vocals, bass guitar (1982–1987, 2006–2010)
• Paul Bento - guitar (2006–2010)
• Steve Tobin - drums (2006–2010)
• Joey Z. - guitar (2006–2010)

Former members

• Louie Beato − drums (1982–1987)
• Keith Alexander - guitar (1982–1986)
• Stan Pillis − guitar (1982–1983)
• Marc Piovanetti - guitar (1987)

Discography

Studio albums

• Carnivore (1985)
• Retaliation (1987)

External links

• Official website
• Album review in Rock Hard issue 16 (in German)
• Album review in Rock Hard issue 22 (in German)