Carnage
by Nick Cave & Warren Ellis
  • Record Label: N/A
  • Release Date: Feb 25, 2021
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 78 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 62 out of 78
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 78
  3. Negative: 7 out of 78
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  1. 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 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 "SkeletonOnce 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
  2. mungo57
    Jul 27, 2021
    9
    Any new album with the name 'Nick Cave' on the cover is definitely worth listening to, and this definitely does not disappoint. Both Cave and Ellis are master craftsmen at the peak of their powers and this is a timely album with poignant, relevant lyrics (White Elephant particularly) to mark what has been a horrible 18 months for everybody.
    Definitely my favourite album of the last 12 months.
  3. 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, 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.
  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. A harrowing yet hopeful journey. Another long player from two who are at the top of game. Mesmerizing Brilliance.
  5. calm2k
    Mar 11, 2021
    0
    no... i don’t like it at all, sorry, i don’t know why is this 93 on metacritic
  6. lalafan
    Mar 20, 2021
    3
    No idea why this has a score 93. it had no substance and no follow through. the message is lacking
  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 background while you're having an adventure.
  8. andresc
    May 15, 2021
    9
    What a mysterious and compelling album. It's like the aftermath of Ghosteen and an amazing moving-on record.
  9. Telegindan
    Feb 26, 2021
    6
    Overacting NC voice above WE's demos. Thanks it's not The Bad Seeds records. But it's kind of better than Ghosteen.
  10. LInscoeJ
    Sep 3, 2021
    9
    Personal, moving and often enchanting, and yet feels like something new and distinct for Nick
  11. All_ButTrU4
    Jan 6, 2022
    6
    Pretty average stuff. Any new album with the name 'Nick Cave' on the cover is definitely worth listening to, and this definitely does not disappoint. Both Cave and Ellis are master craftsmen at the peak of their powers and this is a timely album with poignant, relevant lyrics .

    Don't anticipate any of the classic Nick Cave vibes and sound in this album. It's still a nice listen,    Pretty average stuff. Any new album with the name 'Nick Cave' on the cover is definitely worth listening to, and this definitely does not disappoint. Both Cave and Ellis are master craftsmen at the peak of their powers and this is a timely album with poignant, relevant lyrics .

    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 background while you're having an adventure.    … Expand
  12. 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, 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.
  13. 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. 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.
  14. Jackson889
    Sep 5, 2022
    4
    Better than anything he did prior to this but still relatively soulless and mediocre.
  15. Newstead544
    Sep 9, 2023
    9
    There are a few lackluster tracks but for the most part it was one of the most interesting, poetic and pleasurable listening experiences I've had in a while.

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. 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.
    Read full review
  2. Classic Rock Magazine
    Apr 1, 2021
    90
    Cave remains inspirational working widescreen miracles from cataclysmic events. [May 2021, p.85]
  3. Record Collector
    Apr 1, 2021
    80
    It is an album, certainly, that carries the magic and surprise that belongs only to strange times, that belongs to this moment completely: a record of the way we saw the world, once, the way it sounded, the way it felt, as we all stood still and watched.
    Read full review
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