Album Review: Body Count - Carnivore

After a period where even main man and hip hop legend Ice-T seemed disengaged from the project, metallers Body Count found a new lease on life on 2014's Manslaughter. Crushing follow-up Bloodlust continued the momentum, and now Carnivore completes the uncompromising trilogy.

From the stomping, mid-paced groove and down-tuned chugs of the title track, you know what you're getting – Body Count aren't doing a U-turn into jazz fusion anytime soon. Ice-T rails against someone who's crossed him in graphic, almost comical fashion on No Remorse, while elsewhere he promotes strength in unity as he proclaims, “We ain't asleep no more, we're woke,” on Bum-Rush. His attack is complemented by a hard-hitting band and punishing production from metal aficionado Will Putney.

Carnivore follows the template effectively laid down on the past couple of albums. One of these elements is guest appearances, all of whom add something fresh. In this case it's former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo, Hatebreed’s Jamey Jasta and Riley Gale of Power Trip. Gale features on the blistering Point The Finger, which condemns trigger-happy police. Unexpectedly, Evanescence singer Amy Lee guests on When I'm Gone. The track is an ode to fallen friends, inspired by activist/rapper Nipsey Hussle.

Another staple on the album is a cover of one of the group's influences – a faithful if unimaginative rendition of Motorhead's Ace Of Spades. And there's Ice-T again revisiting his past. The new metal-ised version of '80s rap classic Colors works a treat, and should become a live favourite.

Ice-T, now in his 60s, and cohort still deliver socially conscious, street-level observations with hunger and conviction. Long may they rage on.