[Interview] Scott Ian Lewis from CARNIFEX talks ‘Graveside Confessions’

The undisputed masters of blackened deathcore CARNIFEX have returned to ignite sonic memories of albums past with the scorch of old school sound with their new album Graveside Confessions to be released on 3rd September via Nuclear Blast

GRAVESIDE CONFESSIONS arose just in time to aid in celebrating the 15 year anniversary of the debut CARNIFEX album, DEAD IN MY ARMS. The band revisited their first album to re-record 3 songs, but now with huge advancements in production technology. A return to their roots, these songs act as the completion of a circle; a return to where things first began.

The Everblack Podcast caught up with Scott Ian Lewis to talk about the new Carnifex album Graveside Confessions and the concept behind the title, working with Mick Kenney from Anaal Nathrakh on the mix and master, re-recording classic tracks for the new album, his thoughts on the loss of Joey Jordison and his influence on them, their upcoming tour with The Black Dahlia Murder and more!

Watch/stream the interview here:

The writing process for GRAVESIDE CONFESSIONS also found the band taking a step back in time; revisiting the notion of not knowing what to expect, and not feeling the need to adhere to what anyone expected from them. During the tumultuous year past, a new rawness arose, and examining this rawness ended up being a form of retreat. “It was another set of events that we couldn’t have predicted; sitting home, no alternatives other than to look at your problems, and write some music. In that setting, you get a very visceral version of us,”explains Lewis.“It makes for a very intense album, not just through the writing process, but through the listening journey, as well.”

With the engineering of the record completed in-house by drummer Shawn Cameron, the band recorded the album almost entirely themselves with the help of Mick Kenney for the mixing and mastering. This process, especially compared to CARNIFEX albums of the past, developed a far more satisfying, and concentrated artistic vision for the band.

For over a decade CARNIFEX have nurtured an outstanding artistic relationship with unparalleled English artist, GODMACHINE. Having worked with them on two albums prior, he was the obvious fit to design this next installment of visual art for the Deathcore catalog. Already well aware of how to speak to the CARNIFEXstyle, GODMACHINE required little instruction to catch the vibe. “It was like going back to the well, so to speak, but it’s because there’s still fresh water there,” describes Lewis. A red face of death extends his rotten hand creating a seat for a pensive, brooding skeleton, and the stark yet striking colors perfectly reflect the themes of bleak human secrets, and the dark humor expressed withinGRAVESIDE CONFESSIONS.

“GRAVESIDE CONFESSIONS leaves an impression,” states Lewis,“not just from a superficial standpoint, but deeper. Listeners will recognize certain things when they compare what the record is, to what they know about the four of us. I hope they find some inspiration to push forward, themselves.”