Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Salt the Wound has existed in one form or another since 2001. During the intervening years, they have gone through a number of line-up changes before finally settling down with their core five. Over that time, the band has released a demo and an EP.

Recently they signed a deal with Rotten Records and have released their first full length album. While it is actually quite good, it should be noted that two of the artists who perform on Carnal Repercussions are no longer affiliated with band. First is vocalist Kevin Schaefer, who left due to a supreme distaste for touring, he has since been replaced by Matt Tanner (demo up with him at their MySpace page). The other is drummer Brandon Tabor, who's been replaced by Rob Walters. The core trio remains, and the plans are to soldier on in support of this debut release.

The album arrived in a plain white envelope, containing all of the information required to make a proper looking CD, should I so choose. The artwork is pretty hardcore, featuring a rather twisted image that is sure to inspire expectations, positive or negative, for what lies beyond. Believe me, it is a very accurate depiction of what this album is all about. It dispenses with any pretense of catering to the masses in favor of getting right to the point. In doing so, Salt the Wound has crafted an intense dose of brutal deathcore with touches of hardcore and straight up death.

Salt the Wound hit the ground running, didn't look back, and doesn't seem to be all that concerned with the carnage they leave in their wake. If you happen to get in their way, don't blame me for the repercussions. This is a band that is firing on all cylinders as they charge forward, creating their own definition for the style. There is absolutely no denying the ability that this quintet brings to the table, only sadness, knowing that this will be Kevin Schaefer's only recording with the band.

Carnal Repercussions opens with the appropriately titled "Intro." It runs just over one and a half minutes and slowly eases you in with some random noises and distortion before the guitars come in and kick off a heavy, head pummeling riff prior to kicking into the gear. The opening gives you a taste of the heavy riffing and hardcore-style breakdowns that are to come in the songs beyond.