I’m not exactly sure why this album got a higher rating than its follow-up, probably because it’s more death metal oriented which is what Carcass was notorious for in the earlier days. The production is pretty good, not as solid as “Heartwork” nor are the guitars, but I still think that they came up with some good riffs. The whole album is quality music in the death metal community.
The riffs here are heavy, B-tuned guitars and a lot of tremolo picking here. They mix it up with thick bar chords and all of the compositions are like this on here. Totally original, heavy, thick, brutal, you name it. I can’t once again get into the lyrical topics, but I just totally dig the music. They even have an aura during some songs such as a flanger. It’s pretty cool. The leads are quality, though not at their best like on their follow-up. They are just playing so damn heavy!!
I think that it’s a good trade-off the vocals going from Walker’s higher pitched voice to the backup growls. It makes the release sound heavier, I mean even more so. There are melodic bits of guitar here, so this whole band was heading to a more melodic sound via this album. I’m totally into it here, but I still enjoy “Reek of Putrefaction” even though it’s mostly grindcore and “Symphonies of Sickness” death/grind. Their earlier work they were trying to establish themselves in the metal world.
I’d have to say this is one of the catchiest Carcass releases to date. It’s like they’re playing good music alongside heavy, deep throat. They really delve deep into the core of death metal here. The production as I said is superb so you get to hear everything involved on here. Everything fits well together in unison and they achieved what they wanted which was sick ass death metal. Their follow-up shows quite musical progression not to mention a different kind of metal to it.
Rate” 90%.
Reviewed By Death8699 ([email protected]).