Carnal Forge

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Carnal Forge

| image = Carnal Forge live, 2009 (5).jpg

|image_upright=1.25

| caption = Carnal Forge in 2009

| alias =

| origin = Sala, Sweden

| genre = {{flatlist|

| years_active = 1997–2010, 2013–present

| label = WAR Music, Relapse, Century Media, Candlelight

| website = {{URL|carnalforge.com}}

| current_members = Petri Kuusisto
Lars Lindén
Lawrence Dinamarca
Tommie Wahlberg

| past_members = Stefan Westerberg
Jari Kuusisto
Jonas Kjellgren
Johan Magnusson
Dennis Vestman
Jens C. Mortensen
Peter Tuthill
Dino Medanhodzic
Chris Barkensjö

}}

Carnal Forge are a Swedish band, best classified as thrash metal with some melodic death metal influences. Their name originates from a song on Carcass's album Heartwork.{{cite web|url=https://www.metal-rules.com/interviews/CarnalForge.htm|title=Carnal Forge Interview With Guitarist Jari Kuusisto|date=n.d.|publisher=Metal Rules|access-date=14 March 2022}}

History

Carnel Forge was founded in Sala in 1997 by Jari Kuusisto and Stefan Westerberg as a side project to their band In Thy Dreams.{{cite web|url=https://www.bnrmetal.com/v5/band/band/CaFo|title=Carnal Forge|date=19 February 2019|publisher=the bnr metal pages|access-date=14 March 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/carnal-forge-to-release-first-full-length-album-in-12-years-gun-to-mouth-salvation/|title=CARNAL FORGE To Release First Full-Length Album In 12 Years, 'Gun To Mouth Salvation'|date=4 October 2018|publisher=BlabberMouth|access-date=14 March 2022}} They released their debut album Who's Gonna Burn (War Music) in 1998, then signed with Century Media Records in 2000 and recorded Firedemon (2000) and Please... Die! (2001).{{cite web|url=https://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Carnal_Forge/Firedemon/1032|title=Firedemon|date=n.d.|publisher=Encyclopaedia Metallum|access-date=14 March 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/carnal-forge-burning-eden-video-posted-online/|title=CARNAL FORGE: 'Burning Eden' Video Posted Online|date=12 March 2007|publisher=BlabberMouth|access-date=14 March 2022}}

In 2000, guitarist Johan Magnusson left and bassist Petri Kuusisto took his place.{{cite web|url=https://metallian.com/carnalforge.php|title=CARNAL FORGE – SWEDEN|date=n.d.|publisher=Metallian|access-date=14 March 2022}} Lars Lindén replaced Petri on bass and made his debut at the 2000 Decibel Festival in Bengtsfors, Sweden and at the Wacken Open Air Festival in Wacken, Germany.{{cite web|url=https://www.reflectionsofdarkness.com/festivals-concertreviews-160/327-2000-decibel-bengtsfors-2005|title=2000 Decibel – Bengtsfors 2005|last=Hedlund|first=Henrik|date=14 June 2005|publisher=Reflections of Darkness|access-date=14 March 2022}} Around this time, the band went on tour across Europe with The Haunted and Nile.{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/carnal-forge-two-new-videos-filmed|title=CARNAL FORGE – TWO NEW VIDEOS FILMED|date=31 January 2007|publisher=BraveWords|access-date=14 March 2022}} The releases of The More You Suffer (2003) and Aren't You Dead Yet? (2004) came just prior to the departure of vocalist Jonas Kjellgren just prior to the band's European tour with Pro-Pain.{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/reviews/carnal-forge-the-more-you-suffer|title=CARNAL FORGE – THE MORE YOU SUFFER|date=25 March 2003|publisher=BraveWords|last=Small|first=Aaron|access-date=14 March 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/cdreviews/aren-t-you-dead-yet/|title=CARNAL FORGE|date=n.d.|publisher=Blabbermouth|last=Daley|first=Tony|access-date=14 March 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/carnal-forge-members-comment-on-vocalist-jonas-kjellgrens-split-with-the-band|title=CARNAL FORGE MEMBERS COMMENT ON VOCALIST JONAS KJELLGREN'S SPLIT WITH THE BAND|date=18 August 2004|publisher=BraveWords|access-date=14 March 2022}} Jens C. Mortensen was chosen as their new vocalist in a matter of days.

In addition to Europe, the band also toured the USA and Japan and played a number of festivals, including the Sweden Rock Festival,{{cite web|url=https://en.concerts-metal.com/concert_-_Sweden_Rock_Festival_2004-16489.html|title=Sweden Rock Festival 2004|date=n.d.|publisher=Agenda Concerts-Metal|access-date=14 March 2022}} Metal Meltdown (USA),{{cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/festival/2003/march-metal-meltdown-2003-63d6929b.html|title=March Metal Meltdown 2003 Setlists|date=n.d.|publisher=setlist|access-date=14 March 2022}} Fury Fest,{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/fury-fest-2004-detailed|title=FURY FEST 2004 DETAILED|date=24 February 2004|publisher=BraveWords|access-date=14 March 2022}} Pressure Festival (Germany),{{cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/festival/2003/pressure-festival-2003-3bd79c88.html|title=

Pressure Festival 2003 Setlists|date=n.d.|publisher=Setlist|access-date=14 March 2022}} Kaltenbach Open Air (Austria){{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/destruction-dissection-confirmed-for-austria-s-kaltenbach-open-air/|title=DESTRUCTION, DISSECTION Confirmed For Austria's KALTENBACH OPEN AIR|date=7 March 2005|publisher=BlabberMouth|access-date=14 March 2022}} Summer Breeze Open Air,{{cite web|url=https://www.summer-breeze.de/en/bilder/carnal-forge-133195/#&gid=gallery-133195&pid=image-4|title=Carnal Forge (Summer Breeze 2006)|date=2006|publisher=Summer Breeze|access-date=14 March 2022}} and Fuck the Commerce (Germany).{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/carnal-forge-children-of-bodom-can-name-their-albums-whatever-they-want/|title=CARNAL FORGE: 'CHILDREN OF BODOM Can Name Their Albums Whatever They Want'|date=25 April 2005|publisher=BlabberMouth|access-date=14 March 2022}} They released a 2004 DVD "Destroy Live" of concerts in New York City, Kraków, and Tokyo.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/destroy-live-mw0001362635|title=Carnal Forge: Destroy Live|date=2004|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=14 March 2022}} In January 2007, the band signed to Candlelight Records and released the album Testify for My Victims later that year.{{cite web|url=https://archive.blabbermouth.net/news/carnal-forge-festival-appearances-announced/|title=CARNAL FORGE: Festival Appearances Announced|date=6 July 2007|publisher=BlabberMouth|access-date=14 March 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2019/01/23/album-review-carnal-forge-gun-to-mouth-salvation/|title=Album Review: Carnal Forge – "Gun to Mouth Salvation"|last=Dick|first=Chris|date=23 January 2019|publisher=Decibel Magazine|access-date=14 March 2022}} Owe Lingvall, who the band had worked with before on previous music videos, directed the videos for "Burning Eden" and "Numb (The Dead)," both of which were filmed in Umeå, Sweden.{{cite web|url=http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/artist/carnal-forge|title=CARNAL FORGE|date=n.d.|publisher=Metal Music Archives|access-date=14 March 2022}}

In November 2007, Mortensen and Jari left the band because they were "fed up with the music industry;" other Carnal Forge members were grappling with personal problems too.{{cite web|url=https://arrowlordsofmetal.nl/interview-carnal-forge/|title=Interviews – Naast muziek maken willen artiesten er ook graag over vertellen. Het resultaat van al dat gepraat kan je hieronder vinden.|date=3 March 2019|publisher=Arrow Lords of Metal|access-date=14 March 2022}} Dino Medanhodzic (guitar) of Construcdead and Peter Tuthill (vocals) of Soulbreach were brought in to replace them.{{cite web|url=https://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=33617|title=Peter Tuthill Joins Carnal Forge|date=2008|publisher=metal underground|access-date=14 March 2022}} In September 2009, they released their next album's first single, "Blood War," and filmed the music video the next month. It was edited by Tuthill and mixed by Medanhodzic, then released the following summer.{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/carnal-forge-release-blood-war-video|title=CARNAL FORGE RELEASE 'BLOOD WAR' VIDEO|date=6 July 2010|publisher=BraveWords|access-date=14 March 2022}} Not long after, in January 2010, Westerberg left the band and was replaced by Chris Barkensjö.{{cite web|url=https://metalinjection.net/news/carnal-forge-declares-hiatus|title=CARNAL FORGE Declares Hiatus|date=29 November 2011|publisher=Metal Injection|access-date=14 March 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/carnal-forge-blood-war-video-released/|title=CARNAL FORGE: 'Blood War' Video Released|date=5 July 2010|publisher=BlabberMouth|access-date=14 March 2022}} In 2011, Lindén announced the band would be taking an indefinite hiatus for personal reasons and because they "weren't having much fun anymore."{{cite web|url=https://metalshockfinland.com/2011/11/page/14/|title=CARNAL FORGE Goes On Hiatus|date=24 November 2011|publisher=Metal Shock Finland|access-date=14 March 2022}} They reunited in 2013; Mortensen and Jari returned and Lawrence Dinamarca joined on drums.{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/carnal-forge-is-back/|title=CARNAL FORGE Is Back|date=21 April 2013|publisher=BlabberMouth|access-date=14 March 2022}} They released a single, "When All Else Fails," in 2014. Mortensen became a father and withdrew from the band again in 2015 while recording their next album. He was replaced by Tommie Wahlberg.{{cite web|url=https://outburn.com/interviews/carnal-forge-blastbeats-from-the-past/|title=CARNAL FORGE: Blastbeats from the Past|date=18 March 2019|publisher=Outburn|access-date=14 March 2022}} In 2018, after a 12-year hiatus, Carnal Forge released Gun to Mouth Salvation, its seventh album, with ViciSolum Production.{{cite web|url=https://www.angrymetalguy.com/carnal-forge-gun-to-mouth-salvation-review/|title=Carnal Forge – Gun to Mouth Salvation Review|date=11 February 2019|publisher=Angry Metal Guy|access-date=14 March 2022}} Jari departed again in January 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2022/01/24/news/carnal-forge-announce-departure-of-co-founding-guitarist-jari-kuusisto/|title=Carnal Forge Announce Departure Of Co-Founding Guitarist Jari Kuusisto|date=24 January 2022|publisher=The PRP|access-date=14 March 2022}}

Band members

= Current members =

Petri Kuusisto – lead guitar {{small|(2000–2010, 2013–present)}}; rhythm guitar {{small|(2022-present)}}
Tommie Wahlberg – vocals {{small|(2018–present)}}

= Former members =

Stefan Westerberg – drums {{small|(1997–2010)}}
Jari Kuusisto – rhythm guitar {{small|(1997–2008, 2013–2022)}}
Jonas Kjellgren – vocals {{small|(1997–2004)}}
Johan Magnusson – guitars {{small|(1997–2000)}}
Dennis Vestman – bass {{small|(1997–2000)}}
Lars Lindén – bass {{small|(2001–2010, 2013–2025; his death)}}
Jens C. Mortensen – vocals {{small|(2004–2007, 2013–2018)}}
Peter Tuthill – vocals {{small|(2008–2010)}}
Dino Medanhodzic – guitar {{small|(2008–2010)}}
Chris Barkensjö – drums {{small|(2010)}}
Lawrence Dinamarca – drums {{small|(2013–2023)}}

= Timeline =

{{#tag:timeline|

ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:18

PlotArea = left:170 bottom:80 top:0 right:15

Alignbars = justify

DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy

Period = from:01/01/1997 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}

TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1997

ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1997

Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4

Colors =

id:vocals value:red legend:Vocals

id:lead value:teal legend:Lead_guitar

id:rhythm value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar

id:bass value:blue legend:Bass

id:drums value:orange legend:Drums

id:bars value:gray(0.93)

id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

LineData =

at:09/22/1998 color:black layer:back

at:11/14/2000 color:black layer:back

at:01/22/2002 color:black layer:back

at:03/24/2003 color:black layer:back

at:06/21/2004 color:black layer:back

at:05/21/2007 color:black layer:back

at:01/25/2019 color:black layer:back

BarData =

bar:Jonas text:"Jonas Kjellgren"

bar:Jens text:"Jens C. Mortensen"

bar:Peter text:"Peter Tuthill"

bar:Tommie text:"Tommie Wahlberg"

bar:Johan text:"Johan Magnusson"

bar:Jari text:"Jari Kuusisto"

bar:Dino text:"Dino Medanhodzic"

bar:Dennis text:"Dennis Vestman"

bar:Petri text:"Petri Kuusisto"

bar:Lars text:"Lars Lindén"

bar:Stefan text:"Stefan Westerberg"

bar:Chris text:"Chris Barkensjö"

bar:Lawrence text:"Lawrence Dinamarca"

PlotData =

width:11

bar:Jonas from:01/01/1997 till:11/01/2004 color:vocals

bar:Jens from:11/01/2004 till:11/01/2007 color:vocals

bar:Peter from:11/01/2007 till:07/10/2010 color:vocals

bar:Jens from:05/01/2013 till:10/04/2018 color:vocals

bar:Tommie from:10/04/2018 till:end color:vocals

bar:Johan from:01/01/1997 till:12/20/2000 color:lead

bar:Petri from:12/20/2000 till:07/10/2010 color:lead

bar:Petri from:05/01/2013 till:end color:lead

bar:Petri from:01/23/2022 till:end color:rhythm width:3

bar:Petri from:05/04/2025 till:end color:bass width:7

bar:Jari from:01/01/1997 till:11/01/2007 color:rhythm

bar:Dino from:11/01/2007 till:07/01/2010 color:rhythm

bar:Jari from:05/01/2013 till:01/23/2022 color:rhythm

bar:Dennis from:01/01/1997 till:03/01/2000 color:bass

bar:Petri from:03/01/2000 till:12/20/2000 color:bass

bar:Lars from:01/10/2001 till:07/01/2010 color:bass

bar:Lars from:05/01/2013 till:05/04/2025 color:bass

bar:Stefan from:01/01/1997 till:06/01/2010 color:drums

bar:Chris from:06/01/2010 till:07/10/2010 color:drums

bar:Lawrence from:05/01/2013 till:02/20/2023 color:drums

}}

Discography

class="wikitable"
Title ! Release date ! Label
Sweet Bride \| 1997 \| Demo
Who's Gonna Burn \| 22 September 1998 \| WAR Music/Relapse Records
Firedemon \| 14 November 2000 \| Century Media
Please... Die! \| 22 October 2001 \| Century Media
The More You Suffer \| 22 April 2003 \| Century Media
Aren't You Dead Yet? \| 21 June 2004 \| Century Media
Testify for My Victims \| 21 May 2007 \| Candlelight Records
Gun to Mouth Salvation \| 25 January 2019 \| ViciSolum Productions

class="wikitable"

Title

! Release date

! Label

Sweet Bride

| 1997

| Demo

Who's Gonna Burn

| 22 September 1998

| WAR Music/Relapse Records

Firedemon

| 14 November 2000

| Century Media

Please... Die!

| 22 October 2001

| Century Media

The More You Suffer

| 22 April 2003

| Century Media

Aren't You Dead Yet?

| 21 June 2004

| Century Media

Testify for My Victims

| 21 May 2007

| Candlelight Records

Gun to Mouth Salvation

| 25 January 2019

| ViciSolum Productions

= Videography =

class="wikitable"
Title ! Release date ! Label
Destroy Live \| 2004 \| Metal Mind Productions

class="wikitable"

Title

! Release date

! Label

Destroy Live

| 2004

| Metal Mind Productions

References

External links

{{Official website|http://www.carnalforge.se}}
[https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Carnal_Forge/247 Carnal Forge at Encyclopaedia Metallum]
[https://www.youtube.com/carnalforgeband/ Carnal Forge at YouTube]
[http://shop.relapse.com/artist/artist.aspx?ArtistID=10020 Carnal Forge] at Relapse Records
[{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p320546/biography|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic band entry]

Category:Swedish musical quartets

Category:Swedish musical quintets

Category:Swedish thrash metal musical groups

Category:Swedish melodic death metal musical groups

Category:Musical groups established in 1997

Category:Candlelight Records artists

Category:Musical groups from Västmanland County

Category:Sala, Sweden