ITP V.013 REVIEW: CARCASS: SURGICAL STEEL

BAND: CARCASS (LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, UK)  GENRE: DEATH METAL/GORE GRIND  LABEL: NUCLEAR BLAST   RELEASE DATE (S): September 16 (UK), September 13 (Rest of Europe) and September 17 (North America) 

PREVIOUS RELEASES (CATALOG) : PARTY SAN METAL OPEN AIR-"HELL IS HERE" SAMPLER (CARCASS: "CAPTIVE, BULLET PISTOL"), THE COMPLETE PATHOLOGISTS REPORT (BOXED SET-2010), CHOICE CUTS (5/24/2004-EARACHE), BEST OF CARCASS (TOY's FACTORY-1997), WAKE UP AND SMELL THE..CARCASS (11/12/1996-EARACHE RECORDS), WAKE UP AND SMELL THE..CARCASS (VHS-11/1996), SWANSONG (6/10/1996-EARACHE RECORDS), HEARTWORK (10/18/1993-EARACHE RECORDS), TOOLS OF THE TRADE (EP-6/3/1992-EARACHE RECORDS), GODS OF GRIND (SPLIT-1992-EARACHE RECORDS/ROCK HARD PRESENTS-12/1991), NECROTICISM: DESCANTING THE INSALUBRIOUS (10/30/1991-EARACHE RECORDS), LIVE BRADFORD 11/15/1989 (EP-1990-DISTORTED HARMONY RECORDS),SYMPHONIES OF SICKNESS (11/4/1989-EARACHE RECORDS), THE PEEL SESSIONS ( EP-1/2/1989-STRANGE  FRUIT), REEK OF PUTREFACTION (7/1988-EARACHE RECORDS), FLESH RIPPING SONIC TORMENT  (4/4/1987-SELF RELEASED)

BEST RELEASE (S): REEK OF PUTREFACTION (1988), SYMPHONIES OF SICKNESS (1989),  NECROTICISM: DESCANTING THE INSALUBRIOUS (1991), SURGICAL STEEL (2013), HEART WORK (1993)


 CARCASS: SURGICAL STEEL: TRACK LISTING :
01. 1985
02. Thrasher's Abattoir
03. Cadaver Pouch Conveyor System
04. A Congealed Clot Of Blood
05. The Master Butcher's Apron
06. Noncompliance to ASTM F 899-12 Standard
07. The Granulating Dark Satanic Mills
08. Unfit For Human Consumption
09. 316L Grade Surgical Steel
10. Captive Bolt Pistol
11. Mount Of Execution

Surgical Steel digipak track list:
01. 1985
02. Thrasher's Abattoir
03. Cadaver Pouch Conveyor System
04. A Congealed Clot Of Blood
05. The Master Butcher's Apron
06. Noncompliance to ASTM F 899-12 Standard
07. The Granulating Dark Satanic Mills
08. Unfit For Human Consumption
09. 316L Grade Surgical Steel
10. Captive Bolt Pistol
11. Mount Of Execution
12. Intensive Battery Brooding (BONUS TRACK)

Surgical Steel U.S. vinyl and cassette track list:
Side A
1. 1985
2. Thrasher's Abattoir
3. Cadaver Pouch Conveyor System
4. A Congealed Clot Of Blood
5. The Master Butcher's Apron
6. Noncompliance to ASTM F 899-12 Standard

Side B
1. The Granulating Dark Satanic Mills
2. Unfit For Human Consumption
3. 316L Grade Surgical Steel
4. Captive Bolt Pistol
5. Mount Of Execution

Surgical Steel surgical kit box (NB US mail-order only)
Includes:
DVD sized booklet
Steel book with CD
Oversized Poster
Surgical kit styled box
Picture Disc LP
Limited to 750 copies worldwide

Side A
1. 1985
2. Thrasher's Abattoir
3. Cadaver Pouch Conveyor System
4. A Congealed Clot Of Blood
5. The Master Butcher's Apron
6. Noncompliance to ASTM F 899-12 Standard

Side B
7. The Granulating Dark Satanic Mills
8. Unfit For Human Consumption
9. 316L Grade Surgical Steel
10. Captive Bolt Pistol
11. Mount Of Execution

Surgical Steel steel book encased CD with digipak track list:
01. 1985
02. Thrasher's Abattoir
03. Cadaver Pouch Conveyor System
04. A Congealed Clot Of Blood
05. The Master Butcher's Apron
06. Noncompliance to ASTM F 899-12 Standard
07. The Granulating Dark Satanic Mills
08. Unfit For Human Consumption
09. 316L Grade Surgical Steel
10. Captive Bolt Pistol
11. Mount Of Execution
12. Intensive Battery Brooding (BONUS TRACK)

European 2 LP vinyl track list:
SIDE A
1. 1985
2. Thrasher's Abattoir
3. Cadaver Pouch Conveyor System
4. A Congealed Clot Of Blood

SIDE B
1. The Master Butcher's Apron
2. Noncompliance to ASTM F899-12 Standard
3. The Granulating Dark Satanic Mills

SIDE C
1. Unfit For Human Consumption
2. 316L Grade Surgical Steel
3. Captive Bolt Pistol

SIDE D
1. Mount Of Execution
2. Intensive Battery Brooding (BONUS TRACK)

ITP  RATING: *** 1/2

PRODUCTION: ****  

SONGWRITING: *** 1/2

PERFORMANCE: ****

Formed in 1985, Liverpool, England Gore-grind pioneers CARCASS have set the standard, founded the grind/core genre AND melodic death metal genre ("HEART WORK" release) complete with more medical references than a medical examiners notebook.

In the second half of the 80's, CARCASS guitarist BILL STEER joined grind core pioneers NAPALM DEATH, designing the cover art for the bands pioneering release "Scum".

During the early 90's, MICHAEL AMOTT joined CARCASS on lead guitar, later co-founding Swedish melodic death metal warriors ARCH ENEMY (with his brother).

Despite record label pressure for streamlined songwriting and cleaner vocals, in 1993, CARCASS inked a record deal with COLUMBIA RECORDS and recorded the bands melodic masterpiece
"Heart Work".

CARCASS collaborated with alternative rock songstress  BJORK for a re-recording of "Isobel" later featured on BJORK's 1996 "Hyperballad" single.

With increasing record label pressures from SONY/COLUMBIA and returning to EARACHE RECORDS, CARCASS disbanded in 1996 after a delayed release of "Swansong".

In the time span of CARCASS in-activity, ARCH ENEMY was formed via former CARCASS axe slinger MICHAEL AMOTT as plenty of bands found influence in the CARCASS catalog spawning many clone bands and the gore/grind, grind-core, melo-death metal sub genres.

In 2007, CARCASS re-activated, ready to re-reclaim the extreme metal throne from generic, cookie cutter clones and the music industry that nearly destroyed them. Within a few high profile re-union shows via extreme metal festivals, CARCASS announced a new record deal (NUCLEAR BLAST), DANIEL WILDING (drums) and BEN ASH (guitar), and the bands first release in 18 years. Within the news of the CARCASS re-union and pending studio release, the extreme metal underground cheered and shuddered with excitement.

Here we have the new CARCASS release "SURGICAL STEEL", 18 years and and a lot of blood, sweat, tears and extreme metal influence in the making. Is the CARCASS "come back" better than the clones they spawned?

CARCASS's "SURGICAL STEEL" kicks off with the opening track "1985" as ominous, melodic, twin, harmonic guitars segue into crushing thrash, JEFF WALKERS patented vocal rasps never sounded more convincing.
CARCASS rip a new asshole right through what is sure to be a raging pit for this track, evoking memories of what was the birth of the thrash scene in the 80's. Metal warriors, it's "1985" all over again.

 The CARCASS track "Thrasher's Abattoir" is a barn burner for the punters in the pit,  evoking some melodic, twin guitar lead interplay before segueing into very tight sick ass thrash, a catchy chant, crushing vocals and quality solos..By now, you must have an eargasm and are soooo happy CARCASS are BACK!!

CARCASS's "Cadaver Pouch Conveyor System", should please fans of old, exploring the bands pioneering concepts of medical examiner terminology and gory lyrical themes. CARCASS's "Cadaver Pouch Conveyor System" is a mid paced track, building on various riffs, and solos.

CARCASS's "A Congealed Clot Of Blood" enters with melodic twin guitars and expands into  mid paced, unmemorable, boredom with solos. It would be ideal if  "A Congealed Clot Of Blood" was edited of the lagging mid section.

The CARCASS track "The Master Butcher's Apron", within an awkward mid paced intro and nu metal riffola, picks up substantially 2:00 into the track, with free flowing thrash, and some technical, melodic lead riffs.

The CARCASS track "Noncompliance  to ASTM F 899-12 Standard", a thrash and roll tune, played tight until a lagging section (4:18) of a non breakdown, although quality melodic solos. However, CARCASS evoke a brilliant melodic technical transition (5: 45) to close the tune.
Although lacking in songwriting, CARCASS's "Noncompliance to ASTM F 899-12 Standard" features good ideas, and some quality riffs and musicianship

The CARCASS track "The Granulating Dark Satanic Mills" is a quality anthem,  catchy enough to get fans chanting the magic numbers " 6 0 2 6 9 6.. ", good solos..

CARCASS's "Unfit for Human Consumption", crushes with some technical lead and rhythm guitar riffing (1:03) , well worth the riffs repetition as the tune takes off into some unholy thrash. CARCASS feature tasty blast beats  (3:10) and catchy songwriting. "Unfit for Human Consumption", eat it, chew it up, totally delicious and tastefully done.

CARCASS rage again with  "316l Grade Surgical Steel", with a cool bluesy riff flowing throughout the tune and enough heavy thrash, good solos and drumming variety (blast and thrash beats)  to get the pit moving.

 "Captive Bolt Pistol" evoke the CARCASS of old, with some tight death metal riffing, quality solos and and good vocal performance via JEFF WALKER.

CARCASS close out "SURGICAL STEEL" with "Mount Of Execution", an epic track with an awesome acoustic intro, a mid pace and more accessible tune.


As CARCASS shake the rust off this project, SURGICAL STEELE is a consolidation of all of the bands pioneering efforts, leaning more towards the bands "Heart Work" era.

Regarding production, CARCASS succeed where the band has previously failed, SURGICAL STEELE features a quality, clean wall of sound production via COLIN RICHARDSON with a good mix via ANDY SNEAP.

CARCASS guitarist BILL STEER (taking over for MIKE AMOTT now in ARCH ENEMY) performs well with a variety of bluesy and technical good shred and some decent if not generic riffing.
If CARCASS fans are expecting the "grind core" or "gore grind" CARCASS, you'll have to accept the band has progressed since they pioneered said genre, "SURGICAL STEEL" is a progression from HEARTWORK, a kick in the arse to the Gothenburg melodic death metal scene.
  
While again, CARCASS exhibit some quality musicianship,  points are to be taken off for songwriting as half of  "SURGICAL STEELE" lags in parts, a shame as there is plenty of talent regarding the current CARCASS lineup, and to some extent the missing piece would be MIKE AMOTT,  preoccupied with ARCH ENEMY.

The lyrical concept CARCASS inspired (let's face it) all of us to look up medical examiner terminology and understand gore is less evidenced on "SURGICAL STEELE", CARCASS tempered the gory lyrical content  to about 50%. However, there is an extreme metal genre featuring more graphic gore said band founded too.
CARCASS guitarist BILL STEER  inspires alot of quality musicianship and good riffs that one could NOT ignore. A note of contention, is the placement of CARCASS riffs in the context of songwriting. One or two misplaced riffs and a song lags, as that indeed makes the difference between a solid effort and epic.


While all of the sub genres CARCASS pioneered have grown up and progressed, CARCASS have matured too. SURGICAL STEELE may not be any better than the newer and progressive extreme metal  bands  ironically emerging from the genres the band pioneered. However, CARCASS are genuine and full of blistering and brutal energy, a soundtrack to a good thrash induced mosh pit. Talented as CARCASS are, SURGICAL STEELE is a good progression from "Heartwork". We thankfully have not heard the last from CARCASS,  there is plenty of room to grow, and progress musically and they will.
Nice to revive and old Cadaver, welcome back.

ITP  RATING: *** 1/2

PRODUCTION: ****  

SONGWRITING: *** 1/2

PERFORMANCE: ****

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-