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Carnage
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Carnage Image
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 78 Ratings

  • Summary: The surprise release for the latest full-length collaboration between Nick Cave and Warren Ellis was recorded over a week.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    Feb 25, 2021
    100
    ‘Carnage’ is arguably Cave and Ellis’ best record since The Bad Seeds’ latter day reinvention on 2013’s ‘Push The Sky Away’, or maybe even ‘Abattoir Blues’. It’s certainly two master craftsmen at the peak of their melodramatic powers.
  2. The Telegraph (UK)
    Feb 25, 2021
    100
    Carnage is infused with profound and almost inescapable grief. But as this particularly audacious singer-songwriter grapples with isolation, loneliness, loss and the hard emotional graft of endurance, all set against a backdrop of apocalyptic threat, the personal becomes universal. Carnage may just be the greatest lockdown album yet.
  3. Mojo
    Mar 19, 2021
    100
    A jarring and gorgeous reminder that our suffering is neither new nor negligible. [May 2021, p.79]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Sputnikmusic
    Mar 4, 2021
    84
    You can chalk Carnage up as anything from a zeitgeist experiment to a flawed masterpiece, but there’s something precious and compassionate at its heart that I honestly believe will make the world a better place in its own peculiar way, beyond the scope of critical evaluation.
  5. The Guardian
    Feb 25, 2021
    80
    If it doesn’t feel quite as remarkable as Ghosteen, that tells you more about the previous album than the quality of Carnage: Cave and Ellis’s musical approach is still vividly alive, the dense, constantly shifting sound complementing the richness of Cave’s writing now.
  6. Uncut
    Mar 23, 2021
    80
    Compared with the highly structured Ghosteen (a double album meditation on grief and spirituality, complete with intermission), Carnage is a more concise though no less ordered record. Much as the Bad Seeds’ songs now push into oceanic drift, Cave’s narratives move between worlds fictional and not, the horrific and the consoling. [Mar 2021, p.20]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. AllMusic
    Apr 29, 2021
    80
    It's the work of two collaborative artists who are in the midst of a later-period renaissance that has spawned powerful, evocative music that speaks to its time without being confined to the crises that sparked its creation.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 15
  3. Negative: 2 out of 15
  1. JawsPapi86
    Feb 25, 2021
    10
    Nick Cave and Warren Ellis have made a career of mesmerizing us. In my mind, the last 3 Bad Seeds records represent their pinnacle. However,Nick Cave and Warren Ellis have made a career of mesmerizing us. In my mind, the last 3 Bad Seeds records represent their pinnacle. However, this new record presents a welcome shift into adventurous territory. We're witnessing two geniuses born to make music alongside each other, operating at the top of their game.… Expand
  2. Jackson777
    Oct 10, 2021
    10
    Before hearing about this from Fantano, I never knew about Nick Cave or his band, and I'm impressed by what I heard on this album. TheBefore hearing about this from Fantano, I never knew about Nick Cave or his band, and I'm impressed by what I heard on this album. The lyricism and production is perfect on nearly every song except for White Elephant. The subject matter of the lyrics can be dark, but such is the case with many incredible albums. Overall the album is outstanding and I highly recommend you listen to it.… Expand
  4. strangerthan
    Feb 26, 2021
    10
    They're collaboration continues to amaze and astound. The albums shifts between ominous tension, terror, love and finally divinity. AThey're collaboration continues to amaze and astound. The albums shifts between ominous tension, terror, love and finally divinity. A harrowing yet hopeful journey. Another long player from two who are at the top of game. Mesmerizing Brilliance.… Expand
  5. spongki
    Jul 22, 2021
    8
    This is my first exposure to Nick Cave's work, and I think it's fantastic. Cave's expressive fatigued voice complements the wistful,This is my first exposure to Nick Cave's work, and I think it's fantastic. Cave's expressive fatigued voice complements the wistful, introspective lyrics towards his wife, and contemplating amidst the events of previous year. While I believe that some tracks may drag a little, there is enough melodic grandeur in the album that the tiny issue didn't bother me too much.… Expand
  6. Ricko
    Jul 21, 2021
    8
    Once again, Nick Cave delivers a stormer here with fellow bad seed and chief collaborator Warren Ellis. I'm not certain of the reason forOnce again, Nick Cave delivers a stormer here with fellow bad seed and chief collaborator Warren Ellis. I'm not certain of the reason for jettisoning the rest of the Bad Seeds this time out, perhaps it was Covid pandemic related, perhaps it was a natural progression but whatever the reason, the decision pays off. "Carnage" retains the minimalism of and darkness of "Ghosteen" and "Skeleton Tree" but there is a menace present on "Carnage" that we haven't heard from Cave in quite some time. Perhaps the grief has been processed (as much as it ever will be) or perhaps this is a new stage of it but one way or the other, "Carnage" represents a turn off from the course he was following. At times, the album is bizarre, it is often quite challenging and is just as often completely brilliant. Much like Thom Yorke's recent solo albums, this seems split into "songs" and "pieces". The first half of the record has the lift and the majesty, the 2nd half freewheels back down the hill in the meditative style of much of "Ghosteen". A worth addition to a phenomenal back catalogue.… Expand
  7. Menios
    Mar 5, 2021
    7
    Don't anticipate any of the classic Nick Cave vibes and sound in this album. It's still a nice listen, probably having it in the backgroundDon't anticipate any of the classic Nick Cave vibes and sound in this album. It's still a nice listen, probably having it in the background while you're having an adventure.… Expand
  8. calm2k
    Mar 11, 2021
    0
    no... i don’t like it at all, sorry, i don’t know why is this 93 on metacritic

See all 15 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best Album of 2021
75
#75 Most Discussed Album of 2021

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