Carnal Forge, while aligned with Sweden's fertile death metal scene, actually harks back more to classic thrash and speed metal, particularly
Slayer (as well as the melodic sensibilities of countrymen
At the Gates). Formed in September 1997, the band featured vocalist
Jonas Kjellgren (ex-
Dellamorte and
Centinex), guitarists
Jari Kuusisto and
Johan Magnusson, bassist
Dennis Vestman, and drummer
Stefan Westerberg;
Westerberg and
Kuusisto had previously performed together as part of
In Thy Dreams.
Carnal Forge's debut album,
Who's Gonna Burn, was released in 1998 (by Relapse in America and War in Europe); the band signed a worldwide deal with Century Media soon after. Their second album,
Firedemon, appeared in 2000, with
Kuusisto's brother
Petri having replaced
Vestman. New singer
Jens C. Mortensen joined
Carnal Forge in late 2004 and made his first recorded appearance with the band on 2007's
Testify for My Victims. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide