Testify for My Victims, the new album from Swedish thrashers Carnal Forge, is the album that Shadows Fall should have released instead of Threads of Life. Just think of Carnal Forge as the bastard son of The Haunted and Shadows Fall. The band actually has been around since '97 but found their vocalist, Jens C. Mortensen, in 2004. He has the same style scream as Peter Dolving of The Haunted, and his delivery is equally pissed off and memorable. The slower, chugging guitar parts and lower vocal growls remind me of Shadows Fall, and there's also that slightly rebellious hardcore influence that affects their sound. It's not metalcore but a mix of thrash and melodic death metal.

Carnal Forge has cumulated their 10-year run into Testify for My Victims, a strong and lasting outing from what I would call a relatively unknown band. Standouts include the lead title track, the slower chugging tempo of “Godsend, God End,” and the thrashing anthem “Subhuman,” with its chorus of “I am God of all/Come follow.” Ok, so maybe Carnal Forge aren't gods, but you'll be hard pressed to find a better thrash record in 2007.