The band's origin dates back to the summer of 1989 when Zak Tell and Jocke Skog met while working together at the Rosenlund Hospital somewhere in the vicinity of Stockholm. In 1990 they were joined by the Norwegian guitarists Bård Torstensen and Erlend Ottem who were also working at the same hospital. Soon the four realized their similar interests in music. Bård and Erlend previously played in a band called Theo in their hometown Arendal back in Norway. Their free time was invested in exploring the musical world, composing and writing songs while evolving into a band.
Their original demo comprising three tracks (Waste of Time, Nigger and Profit Preacher) quickly secured them local radio airplay and consequently brought them to the attention of the MVG label. "Nigger" is an anti-racism statement that caused quite a stir and was a massive success; it was also released as a single. By the beginning of the 1990s, Clawfinger self-released their debut Deaf Dumb Blind. This sold in over 600,000 copies worldwide and was critically acclaimed in Swedish press. With the addition of André Skaug and drummer Morten Skaug, Clawfinger went on tour and played at countless European festivals including major support slots with Anthrax and Alice in Chains.
The band received many awards, including two home Grammies at the Swedish Grammy Awards in 1994 for best hard rock band and best music video. After touring, they went straight back in the studio to record their second album, Use Your Brain. After the release of this album they went on yet another touring campaign, most notably participating at Ozzy Osbourne's Monsters of Rock Festival in Brazil and Chile, rocking alongside American metal counterparts like Megadeth, Faith No More, and Alice Cooper. Back in Europe they continued their touring campaign by participating at festivals and countless gigs.
Their self-titled album Clawfinger was released in 1997. The first song on the album is Two Sides, which expanded the band's reach by using female choir vocals and a Middle Eastern sound. The rest of the album continues with the band's typical aggressive voice and socio-political lyrics.
A Whole Lot of Nothing was the fourth album released on 23 July 2001. The music showcases the same aggressive guitars, with more distortion effects and sounds, adding a whole new level of diversification. As for the synthesizers, on this particular album they're more present than on any other of Clawfinger's works.
Zeros & Heroes was released in 2003 and it caused controversy in America because the song Step Aside did not sit well with most American audiences due to the fact it slams George W. Bush and the post 9/11 (and not only) military politics of the US. It offers yet another style change for the ears of the listener. The electronic sound and synthesizers from A Whole Lot of Nothing are gone and replaced by a more complex and melodic guitar riffing.
Hate Yourself With Style was released in 2005. The album continued the path entered on Zeros & Heroes and is characterized by hardrock style melodic speedy guitar riffs. The keyboards which particularly characterized A Whole Lot of Nothing have completely disappeared.
Life Will Kill You was released in 2007. It has spawned three singles: Prisoners, The Price We Pay, and Little Baby.
The band officially disbanded in 23 August 2013.
Current members:
Zak Tell — vocals
Jocke Skog — keyboards
Bard Torstensen — guitar
Henka Johansson — drums
Andre Skaug — bass
Carnivore
Clawfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll give you good advice
Consider all the options
and think it over twice
The perfect execution
has got to be well planned
get yourself the right tools
and wash those dirty hands
fast and painless
sharp and stainless
creatures always have to die
fast and painless
hard and shameless
no remorse make sure they fry
carnivore until I die
don't think it's over
once the work is done
throw away the skin and bones
and wipe away the crumbs
invite your friends
lay it up and hope that they can't tell
if no one smells the difference
you know that it's done well
fast and painless
sharp and stainless
creatures always have to die
fast and painless
hard and shameless
no remorse make sure they fry
fast and plainless
sharp and stainless
creatures always have to die
carnivore until i die
don't forget to watch the clock
that's a big mistake
the more severe the damage is
the less you can escape
regrets are fucking pointless
once it's overdone
the last advice I give you
is don't tell anyone
fast and painless
sharp and stainless
creatures always have to die
fast and painless
hard and shameless
no remorse make sure they fry
fast and painless
sharp and stainless
creatures always have to die
fast and painless
hard and shameless
no remorse make sure they fry
creatures always have to die
The lyrics of Clawfinger's song "Carnivore" explores the theme of obtaining success through cunning and calculated means. The song starts with the command "give me a reason" followed by "I'll give you good advice," emphasizing the need to have a clear purpose and strategize every move before any action is taken. The phrase "Consider all the options and think it over twice" further suggests caution and reflection on all the consequences that may result in achieving one's goal. The lyrics use the metaphor of cooking meat to symbolize the process of achieving success, as "the perfect execution has got to be well planned" and appropriate tools are necessary to "wash those dirty hands."
As the song progresses, the chorus emphasizes the importance of being a "carnivore" until death, with "creatures always have to die." The language used in the chorus sends a message of unapologetically going for what you want, without any regard for scruples or empathy for the consequences. The lyrics suggest being "sharp and stainless" and being "hard and shameless" while cooking the meat to ensure no remorse is felt. The song ends with the warning not to reveal one's tactics or actions, as "regrets are fucking pointless" and "don't tell anyone."
Line by Line Meaning
Give me a reason
Tell me why I should do this
I'll give you good advice
I'll help you plan it out
Consider all the options
Think about every detail
and think it over twice
Double-check everything
The perfect execution
This needs to be executed perfectly
has got to be well planned
It needs to be planned correctly
get yourself the right tools
Make sure you have everything you need
and wash those dirty hands
Clean up after yourself
fast and painless
Kill them quickly and without suffering
sharp and stainless
Use a clean, sharp instrument to kill them
creatures always have to die
Animals have to die for us to eat meat
hard and shameless
Don't be hesitant or remorseful
no remorse make sure they fry
Don't feel guilt over this, just make sure it's done
carnivore until I die
I will always eat meat
don't think it's over
This isn't over yet
once the work is done
After the animal is dead
throw away the skin and bones
Dispose of the remains
and wipe away the crumbs
Clean up the area
invite your friends
Share the meat with others
lay it up and hope that they can't tell
Present it in a way that hides what it truly is
if no one smells the difference
If no one can tell it's not meat from a store
you know that it's done well
You did a good job
don't forget to watch the clock
Keep an eye on the time
that's a big mistake
It's important to not mess up timing
the more severe the damage is
The harder it is to cover up
the less you can escape
The less you can hide or deny it
regrets are fucking pointless
Feeling sorry won't change anything
once it's overdone
Once it's already happened
the last advice I give you
My final suggestion
is don't tell anyone
Keep this a secret
Contributed by Xavier T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.