Carcass
Surgical Steel
Review by Mike Korn
I can’t think of too many bands that had a hand in creating two different sub-genres of music, but England’s legendary Carcass is one. They plumbed depths of musical and lyrical revulsion few thought possible with their early albums Reek of Putrefaction and Symphonies of Sickness. With their super guttural vocals, total blur riffing and grotesque lyrics, those albums formed the genesis for the metal sub-genre known as “grindcore.” Many bands have been inspired by those albums, but starting with the album Necroticism: Descanting The Insalubrious, Carcass took a daring turn into a different direction, adding a lot of melody and a cleaner sound but still retaining heaviness and sickness. This was the beginning of the melodic death metal genre, which they continued to perfect with Heartwork. On their “final” album Swansong, the band had almost left their death and grind roots behind completely, opting for a more rock and roll feel. That was a period when extreme metal was on the ropes and Carcass called it a day in 1995.
Since then, their popularity has not waned a bit. The fans’ prayers have been answered almost 20 years after the release of Swansong, as Carcass has returned with Surgical Steel. This record ranks with the best “comebacks” ever in metal. It is an impeccably played and produced blast of ferocious melodic death metal and the natural successor to Necroticism. . ., which I consider the greatest death metal album ever recorded. Original singer/bassist Jeff Walker and original guitarist Bill Steer have returned, joined by new drummer Daniel Wilding and guitarist Ben Ash. Any concern about the new guys fitting will be obliterated after hearing this masterpiece. The aggression and sickness are still here, but the songwriting is almost progressive in scope and extremely challenging. Those who were hoping for the total grindcore of the first two albums may be disappointed, but I couldn’t see the band reverting to that direction with all the skill they possess.
I can’t praise this album enough. I don’t see how the band could have made a better return - unless this was a two-CD set! Fans of great extreme metal are commanded to obtain this record!
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2013 Volume 5 at lulu.com/strangesound.
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