Carnivex

Biography :

Carnifex is an American deathcore band from San Diego, California, formed in 2005.


History :

Formation and beginning stages (2005)

Carnifex formed in 2005 in Fallbrook, California, with a starting lineup of Scott Lewis and Shawn Cameron, with Rick James (guitar) and Kevin Vargas (bass). A self-pressed, self-titled five-song EP was re-released through local label Enclave Records in 2005. Two demos in early and mid 2006 followed. The first demo, referred to as the Hope Dies demo, was an online release and was sold also at shows. In September 2006, Rick James and Kevin Vargas left. Shortly after, Steve McMahon joined on bass, as did Travis Whiting on guitar. The second demo, referred to as the Love Lies in Ashes demo, was also only available online and at live performances.

Dead in My Arms (2006-2008)

Carnifex was signed to underground label This City Is Burning Records in December 2006 and recorded their debut full length Dead in My Arms, with yet another member change still a four piece but with current guitarist Cory Arford in March 2007. The line-up during the recording of Dead in My Arms was Scott Lewis, Cory Arford and Steve McMahon. Dead in my Arms was released on July 12, 2007. Carnifex began touring full time with the release of this record. Touring gutarist Jake Anderson was recruited as a second guitarist from July 2007 - Nov. 2007. During this time Carnifex toured with bands such as Emmure, Whitechapel, MyChildren MyBride and many others. The reasonable success of Dead in My Arms, and the prevalence of the deathcore genre as a whole, attracted the attention of Victory Records. In November 2007, after the departure of Steve McMahon and Jake Anderson, Carnifex signed a deal with Victory Records with now current members Fred Calderon and Ryan Gudmunds. December 2007 through January 2008 was spent writing their second album while half of the members of Carnifex were homeless.

The Diseased and the Poisoned (2008-2009)

The Diseased and The Poisoned was released on June 24, 2008, which reached #19 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Chart. Since the release of The Diseased and The Poisoned Carnifex has toured over 22 countries with such bands as The Black Dahlia Murder, Despised Icon, Obituary, Unleashed, Finntroll, Warbringer, Parkway Drive, Unearth, Architects, Whitechapel, Protest the Hero, Bleeding Through, Darkest Hour, Impending Doom as well as many others.

Hell Chose Me (2009-2010)

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On November 28, 2009, Carnifex finished recording their third full length album Hell Chose Me and it was released on February 16, 2010. Carnifex played the 2010 Summer Slaughter Tour in support of the album and will tour with As I Lay Dying in September 2010. The album was recorded in late 2009, was released in February, and is some of the band's darkest work yet.


Band Members :

Current Members :

* Scott Lewis – Lead Vocals (founding member)
* Ryan Gudmunds – Guitar (since 2007)
* Cory Arford – Guitar (since 2007)
* Fred Calderon – Bass (since 2007)
* Shawn Cameron – Drums, percussion (founding member)

Former Members :

* Rick James – Guitars (2005–2006)
* Kevin Vargas – Bass (2005–2006)
* Steve McMahon – Bass (2006–2007)
* Travis Whiting – Guitars (2006)
* Jake Anderson – Guitars (2006–2007)


Discography :

Studio albums

* Carnifex - Dead in My Arms (This City Is Burning, 2007)
* Carnifex - The Diseased and the Poisoned (Victory, 2008)
* Carnifex - Hell Chose Me (Victory, 2010)