When you hear mention of extreme metal, what comes to mind? Death? Destruction? Gore? How about conventional medical terminology? If you’re new to the genre, that last one might seem a little strange, but any seasoned metalhead automatically knows which band is being discussed when the word “scalpel” comes into play. That’s right, dear readers, it’s time to rank the studio albums of a certain band comprised of four lads hailing from Liverpool, and we’re not talking about the Beatles. Whether they were routinely inventing entire subgenres of metal or just providing a healthy (or, to be fair, not so healthy) alternative to the grunge that was pervading the airwaves in the early nineties, Carcass effortlessly showed themselves to be among the most influential extreme metal bands in history. So grab your lab coat (and don’t be afraid to get a little blood spatter on it) because there’s definitely going to be some arterial spray.
7. Swansong (1995)
The band’s final album before a nearly twenty year hiatus is not bad, per se, but one could definitely draw that conclusion in comparison to the four that came before it. We’re not saying there’s nothing worth salvaging here, as “Black Star” has a fucking killer riff, and “Child’s Play” starts off as a catchy little number (although it admittedly loses itself as the song goes on.) More casual extreme metal fans (wait, do those exist?) might be more drawn to this bad boy, but we already know you’re a sick freak if you’re reading this. Peep “Swansong” after you’ve given the other albums a listen. After all, it does have a pretty dedicated following, so you may disagree with us. Just be sure to include a smiley emoji when you’re calling us posers in the comments, because we take it personally.
Play again: “R**k the Vote”
Skip it: Polarized
6. Reek of Putrefaction (1988)
We have to give “Reek of Putrefaction” the props that it deserves. The genre of grindcore likely wouldn’t exist as we know it today if it weren’t for this and Napalm Death’s “Scum.” It’s just that this is a rough listen, and it’s difficult to get any enjoyment out of it beyond appreciating its contribution to the subgenre. The songs themselves are well-written, with some really gnarly riffs and groundbreaking subject matter. The rerecord of “Pyosisified (Rotten to the Gore)” on the “Tools of the Trade EP” (more to come on that) shows us what these songs are capable of given better production. Is that enough to push this past “Swansong?” In our minds, yes. Does that piss you off? Presumably, also yes.
Play it again: “Burnt to a Crisp”
Skip it: “Excreted Alive”
5. Torn Arteries (2021)
Choosing between the two post-reunion full-lengths is definitely a difficult task. We had trouble ranking this one relative to its predecessor, and had we written this on another day, it very well could have been #4. “Torn Arteries” is incredible, with excellent production and an almost stadium feel to it at times. Just listen to the beginning of the curiously titled “Dance of Ixtab (Psychopomp & Circumstance March No. 1 in B)” to get some nostalgic Judas Priest feels. Also, if you traveled back to the late eighties and told Bill Steer and Jeff Walker they’d one day be playing an acoustic guitar on an album, they would’ve acted out one of their songs on you. Which would you have preferred: “Carbonized Eyesockets” or “Vomited Anal Tract?” We’ll let you mull that over while we headbang to “Under the Scalpel Blade.”
Play it again: “The Scythe’s Remorseless Swing” (nice to hear a good metal song with “tick tick tock” in the lyrics. Suck it, Metallica)
Skip it: “The Devil Rides Out”
4. Surgical Steel (2013)
The first album post-reunion is also the best thing they’ve put out this century, in our not-so-humble opinion. Right off the bat, “Thrasher’s Abattoir” slaps us in the face with some poser-killing mayhem, and the album does not let up until it finishes. This is some prime-ass melodic death metal, folks, with fantastic Thin Lizzy-inspired melodies spread throughout. And those leads! Just listen to “Captive Bolt Pistol” if you don’t believe us. On the whole, we just feel this one is more consistent than its successor, but as we’ve established, you can’t really go wrong with any post-reunion Carcass release.
Play it again: “316L Grade Surgical Steel”
Skip it: Fuck…nothing? Honestly, we’re drawing a blank on this. Check back later.
3. Symphonies of Sickness (1989)
The band’s sophomore release took everything from its debut and improved upon it: better production, better songwriting, improved musicianship, and cleaner song lyrics (just kidding on that last one.) This is an absolute classic with something for everyone, be it crust punk, hardcore fan, or straight up death metalhead. We got so pumped by the driving fury of “Embryonic Necropsy and Devourment” that we performed some amateur appendectomies on one another (not recommended.) If you don’t like this album, you must be a fully-functioning human being whose mind isn’t completely in the gutter. That’s an insult in the metal world, in case you didn’t pick up on it.
Play it again: “Excoriating Abdominal Emanation”
Skip it: The first minute or so of “Reek of Putrefaction,” but only if you’re in a rush to get to the grind
2. Heartwork (1993)
This album saw a completely different approach from the four-piece, and apparently both Bill Steer and Michael Amott spent every waking moment from the last album working on their soloing, because goddamn did they improve. This is a masterpiece, and among the first melodic death metal albums ever made. Many fans would put this in the top position, but we just feel that the changed subject matter coupled with an absence of Steer’s guttural growl knocked this back just a bit. We’re probably just being assholes, though. There’s not a bad moment on this album, and you need to put it on instead of reading this. Go. Now.
Play it again: “Carnal Forge”
Skip it: The Sophie B. Hawkins-ass color scheme in the “No Love Lost” music video
Honorable Mention: Tools of the Trade (1992)
This is just an elite piece of death metal, and a perfect complement to the album you may have already guessed is in first place. The riffs on both “Pyosisified (Still Rotten to the Gore)” and “Hepatic Tissue Fermentation II” are enough to clear the morgue, so listen with care!
1. Necroticism – Descanting the Insalubrious (1991)
“Necroticism” saw the band at its most progressive while still keeping the grindy themes of the first two albums. Bill Steer and Jeff Walker trade fantastic low and high vocals back and forth over brilliantly written, catchy riffs, and Ken Owen holds back just a tiny bit on the skins to achieve a perfect balance overall. The opening riff of “Incarnated Solvent Abuse” alone is enough to give this album the gold medal. This is easily one of the best death metal albums ever written, and definitely one of the most complex when compared to its peers (Morbid Angel’s “Blessed Are the Sick” notwithstanding.) So try to hold back the bile (again, in death metal, that’s a good thing…haven’t you learned so much with us today?) and give this a spin!
Play it again: You’d better
Skip it: Church. Skip church and listen to this album instead.