CARCASS – Despicable - The Metal Channel

If you appreciate death metal, you know the role Carcass has played in it. Considered by many to be a major musical inspiration and founder of gore-grind bands, as well as one of the undisputed grandfathers of both melodic death metal and death ‘n’ roll.

Carcass was formed back in 1985 by guitarist Bill Steer and bassist-vocalist Jeff Walker. Although the band has endured various line-up changes over the years both Steer and Walker have remained constant members.

If you’re a fan of the extreme, Carcass seemingly has something for everyone. The music of Carcass has changed dramatically over the years from one of the originators of grindcore to a pioneer of melodic death metal to one of the most successful death ‘n’ roll bands. Their releases have spanned multi sub-genres and attracted a multitude of fans.

Of all of the band’s studio releases I think Heartwork is the best. I used to listen to the album regularly as I drove from my home in the Chicago suburbs to school at the University of Illinois in Urbana, Champaign.

Some have called Heartwork over produced but in my mind all of the great death metal releases of that time period: Obituary – Cause of Death, Cancer – Death Shall Rise, Entombed – Clandestine, or even Deicide – Legion, experienced some form of over-production. Remember, at that time all of the major labels believed death metal was going to be the next big thing. Carcass had a recording deal with Columbia Records (North America). It’s only natural to think that something new must be ‘polished’ prior to being unveiled to the masses.

Let’s also not forget the music production and engineering of this genre was still basically in its infancy, with many still learning the tricks laid down by legendary record producer Scott Burns just a few years prior.

Many, me included, thought Carcass had hung things up after Swan Song (1996) the death metal frenzy was dying down as major labels turned their focus towards grunge and the underground towards black metal. The name seemed aptly titled and I thought it was an appropriate ending for a highly influential group who managed relevancy through five full length efforts.

I must admit I was shocked when Surgical Steel was released in 2013. The album is impressive and it wasn’t unthinkable to believe Jeff Walker and Bill Steer might have had some ideas floating around that they felt they needed to unload. I was unwilling to call this singular release a full-blown comeback.

I was starting to think I was correct when the unexpected happened, the Despicable EP was released, and the world changed for me.

I must admit when I first heard the four-song EP I was instantly blown away. I started listening to the collection of songs regularly when I worked out. I re-watched my blu-ray of Living Dead and Manchester Morgue. I learned about the inhumane practices of cattle processing plants in Canada. I wanted to know how many cattle were slaughtered in Soho. I read everything I could about The Long and Winding Bier Road and more directly the utilization of ‘Corpse Roads’ of Medieval England. To say I was hooked would have been a massive understatement.

I understand this isn’t classical death metal or anything over the top technical, but it works. It’s a surgical strike at the listener with a melodic viciousness, so disarming, I was truly caught off guard. It was a thrill from music I hadn’t experienced in years. A literal ‘ear-gasam’ of satisfaction.

Carcass went on to release Torn Arteries in 2021. The album was heaped with high praise and I truly hope this is not the end of one of the greatest death metal acts to ever hold up a scalpel blade. If you’ve been living under a rock during their heyday or were just too young at the time to check out this band when these pinnacle efforts were released, what are you waiting for? It’s time to wake up and smell some Carcass! \m/