The music reminds me of a car accident I was in the summer of my junior year. My buddy was driving, but I ended up with a broken arm when some guy blew a light and plowed into us. We were playing “Cop Killer” at maximum volume, most likely at my request. After all, there was a cop driving in the next lane. I think about that and can’t help wonder if the universe doesn’t have a sense of humor.

When I learned that Body Count was releasing a new album this month, I was excited and hopeful Ice-T and company still rocked. The album's opener—the title song “Carnivore”—let me know that the boys were still on track to share some raw, no-holds-barred reality. It’s a bloodthirsty run through the streets that leaves little to the imagination. From there, the songs gain speed and momentum. At times it sounds like Ice-T is rapping instead of singing. The first half culminates with a cover of “Ace of Spades” by Motörhead, which T says is a shout out to Lemmy, in thanks for his inspiration.

Deeper in, I found a definite standout for me in a heavy metal version of “Colors,” the theme song for the movie of the same name. This song is an Ice T original, and one he wanted to bring into the Body Count set. I was very impressed by the band’s delivery of these riffs.

As “When I’m Gone” opens, T goes into the death of Nipsey Hussle and how it affected him. He received the news while working on this album and “When I’m Gone” was his response. For the track, he partners up with Amy Lee of Evanescence and the sound is like something I would never have imagined. I’m a huge fan of Evanescence’s music and bringing Amy Lee and Body Count together made the intended impact. Don’t wait to tell people how you feel until they are gone.

Ice is no stranger to collaborative work. When he teamed up with Slayer on the Judgment Night soundtrack, it was a work of magic. On this album, “Another Level,” a collaboration with Hatebreed’s Jamey Jasta, is another standout for me. Body Count once again uses the music to take on racism with the track, “The Hate Is Real.” And, like always, no one is safe.

The wrap up is a previously unreleased demo track “6 in Tha Morning." The song is a noticeable sister to “Midnight” off Ice-T’s 1991 solo album O.G. Original Gangster—the same album he first introduced us to Body Count on. I thought it was a nice way of bringing things full circle.

All in all, I’d call Carnivore a solid set from a talented artist.