Artist: Carcass Album: Surgical Steel

Year: 2013
Duration: 49:00

A Breakdown of Carcass’ Surgical Steel Album: A Critical Review

Carcass is a British extreme metal band founded in 1985. The band initially began as a goregrind group but later on moved to a death metal sound by the release of their second album. Fans of the band have been eagerly waiting for the band's comeback album after a seventeen-year hiatus, and in 2013, the band released Surgical Steel. The album has twelve tracks and was highly anticipated by both fans and critics. While it received a lot of positive reactions, some have criticized it for not being experimental enough. This article will be a deep dive into their sound, the history of the band, the best tracks of the album, the most innovative parts, and criticisms of the album.

Carcass has always been known for its extreme death metal sound, littered with sludgy riffs, complex drumming, and gory lyrics. The distinctive growling of Jeff Walker's vocals gives their songs a uniquely dark tone that stands out from other bands in the death metal genre. With Surgical Steel, Carcass has stayed true to their sound, but with noticeably cleaner production quality. The opening track, 1985, sets the tone for the entire album, showcasing their heavy guitar riffs, and gravelly vocals with a fast-paced rhythm that keeps the listener interested.

The album continues to deliver hit after hit, with songs like Thrasher's Abattoir and The Granulating Dark Satanic Mills, which features intricate guitar solos from Bill Steer. The latter song showcases a side of Carcass that is often overlooked - their progressive side. This melodic and intricate sound adds a new layer to their music, making it more nuanced and complex. Another standout track is Cadaver Pouch Conveyor System. It's a slow and intense song that showcases the songwriting skills of the band. The instrumentation complements the bleak lyrics and emphasized the chaos and horror of the song.

The production of Surgical Steel is also noteworthy. Colin Richardson and Andy Sneap, who are renowned in the metal community for their production work, worked on the album. The sound quality is polished, giving each instrument its moment to shine, while still keeping the essence of Carcass's sound. The mix is clean and refined, which allows the band to excel and stand out in an already crowded genre.

However, some fans have criticized the album for not being experimental enough. While Carcass is known for its gritty and extreme sound, some expected them to expand their sound into new territories. However, the band chose to stick to their roots and stay true to their sound. While this may be viewed as limiting, it’s important to stay grounded and true to the band's identity. The album succeeded in delivering a heavy and fresh sound, and it’s unnecessary to experiment with new styles that may not sit well with their dedicated fanbase.

Surgical Steel was a breath of fresh air for Carcass fans, who have long awaited a new album. The album stayed close to the band’s original death metal sound, while still giving the sound a modern twist. Fans were delighted with the album's perfect balance between complex instrumentals and the typical Carcass sound that they've grown to love. As with everything, there were criticisms, as some fans expected the band to push the envelope with experimentation. Regardless, Surgical Steel was a fantastic addition to Carcass's discography, and it proved that the band's musical prowess is still strong after all these years.