Author: Primož Novak
Artist: Carnaval
Label: Kapa Records
Release: year_month
Length: 56:32
Rating: 4.3/5
Slovenian outfit Carnaval pointed out years ago that interest in stoner rock/metal is growing in Slovenia too, even though the genre hasn’t really moved into the spotlight yet, despite Carnaval and a few other bands showing real potential. Anyway, after 2012, when they put out their third album »Tennis Football Basketball«, Carnaval are back with a new record, which also introduces new guitarist Vitja Balžarosky.
With their first two releases, »2« and »1«, the band sketched out their direction well, though as far as stoner rock goes, it was nothing special. With »Tennis Football Basketball«, though, Carnaval showed they were leveling up, and the result was a much more dynamic album. The wait for the follow-up took a full four years, with a lineup change and some new challenges along the way.
Miss Universe is definitely no small bite to chew. It serves up a whopping 56 minutes of stoner-minded music that’s happy to borrow from other styles too, which tells you right away that Carnaval aren’t afraid to try something new. With the first track, New Shoes Of Mine, Carnaval open the album nicely in a pleasantly hard-charging style, while the second track, Seven, shows off some bluesy calm and doomy slowness. Extra variety comes from the diverse guitars, which don’t stick to just one line. With the mellower, dreamy Moon Shuffle, which also hits with heavy distortion along the way, Carnaval prep the listener for the next banger, Round Nose Cat, which has a very dynamic rhythm, punch, speed, and of course unpredictability. Here Carnaval show their potential and their break from the average. The cherry on top is a saxophone part. The record’s variety doesn’t let up: the calm, simpler Bluebird follows, and then Carnaval shift into a higher gear with the instrumental Space Bar. Carnaval show their feel for restraint more than once, and they didn’t even leave out a ballad. Silver Starlight, with its acoustic guitars, will melt you completely, which makes total sense given the next two tracks, which are punchy and loud again. Especially standing out here is the closer, Burning Sun, whose playfulness brings jam rock to mind.
Stylistically, Carnaval stick to similar guidelines as before, only now they’re trying to stretch their recipe a bit, so it no longer makes sense to say they’re just another stoner rock band. Sure, there are still elements of “desert” rock in the vein of Kyuss, Fu Manchu and the like. But there are doom metal ingredients too, so the Black Sabbath association is hard to miss. With a stylistic variety that also brings in a dash of sludge metal, Carnaval add a touch of modernity, so comparisons with only the established stoner acts don’t cut it. With this record, Carnaval can comfortably compete with names like Truckfighters, Wo Fat, Sasquatch, Greenleaf and others.
There’s nothing to complain about in the sound. It suits the style they play perfectly. It all sounds natural, with no sign of embellishments or needless makeup meant to win over a bigger crowd. Miss Universe is a very guitar-driven album, which means the bass and drums don’t stand out with any wild tricks. They’re well integrated into the whole, but what really convinces are the powerful guitar riffs, harmonies, and occasional solos. The vocals do the job solidly. There’s no overdoing it with vocal cord torture, they can be emotional and melodic, and only at times a little monotone. However you look at it, Carnaval still have room to grow, even though the progress is more than obvious.
With Miss Universe, Carnaval have taken another step forward and proven their maturity with a polished, dynamic, and sophisticated record. It wouldn’t be the least bit strange if this record came out on an international label like Southern Lord, Rise Above, or Small Stone. Going by what we’ve heard, if Carnaval keep going in this direction, a bright future awaits them.
Lineup
Ažo – guitar & vocals
Vičo – guitar
Mato – drums
Sacco – bass
Production
Production: Carnaval, guitar recording: Vitja Balžalorsky @ Baraka, mix: Vitja Balžalorsky, mastering: Gregor Zemljič @ Earresistible Mastering
Tracklist
1. New Shoes Of Mine
2. Seven
3. Moon Shuffle
4. Round Nose Cat
5. Bluebird
6. Space Bar
7. Silver Starlight
8. Rocket
9. Burning Sun
