Carcass’s third album, Necroticism – Descanting the Insalubrious, marked a turning point for the British extreme metal pioneers. Released in 1991, it abandoned their earlier grindcore roots for a more technical death metal assault. The album’s sonic intensity was matched only by its disturbingly graphic lyrics, which detailed autopsies and medical horrors in gruesome detail. Despite its initially controversial nature, the album has become a revered classic, showcasing both musical precision and a morbid fascination with the macabre.
Length: 48:03
Death metal, grindcore
October 30th, 1991
Earache Records
July-August 1991
Amazon Studios (Simonswood, Lancashire, England)
Colin Richardson
Clinical Pathology and Gore: The lyrics are filled with gruesomely detailed descriptions of autopsies, bodily decay,surgical procedures, and medical abnormalities. Think of it as the musical equivalent of a very graphic horror film focusing on the physical body.
Social Commentary: Beneath the visceral imagery, there’s often a darkly satirical look at societal attitudes towards death, disease, and the disposal of the human body.
Dark Humor: Despite the disturbing subject matter, some of the lyrics have a twistedly playful element to them, using exaggerated medical terminology and bizarre scenarios.
Oppressive & Unsettling: The music creates a deliberate sense of discomfort and unease. The relentless blast beats,dissonant guitar riffs, and guttural vocals provide no room for relief.
Clinical & Detached: While there’s a visceral intensity, the mood isn’t purely chaotic. There’s a calculated coldly analytical feeling, almost like observing a gruesome medical procedure.
Relentlessly Intense: The album rarely lets up in its sonic assault. This creates a sense of being trapped in a grotesque world, with no escape from the brutal imagery and oppressive atmosphere.
Lyrical Inspiration: The band drew inspiration from medical textbooks and dictionaries to craft the gruesome and often bizarre lyrics.
Linguistic Gymnastics: The lyrics are filled with incredibly long, polysyllabic medical terms. The band aimed to use words most people would never encounter, pushing the boundaries of death metal vocabulary.
Grindcore Roots: While the album is firmly rooted in death metal, it marked a turning point for Carcass. They moved away from their earlier, more grindcore-focused sound towards a more technical and melodic approach, influencing future death metal bands.
October 30, 1991
Carcass’s 1988 debut album, “Reek of Putrefaction,” is a raw and unpolished introduction to the band’s signature goregrind sound. The album’s lo-fi production, fast tempos, and graphic medical-themed lyrics established the band’s aesthetic.
Carcass’s 1989 sophomore album “Symphonies of Sickness” further refined their signature goregrind sound with heavier production and more intricate songwriting. The album’s controversial lyrics and artwork solidified their status as grindcore pioneers.
Carcass’s “Necroticism – Descanting the Insalubrious” (1991) solidified their shift from grindcore to technical death metal. The album’s intricate instrumentation and graphic medical lyrics, though initially controversial, have earned it a revered status as a classic.
Carcass’s “Heartwork” (1993) marked a pivotal moment in their evolution. The album retained the band’s signature intensity while incorporating melodic elements, technical riffs, and guitar harmonies.
Carcass’s 1996 album “Swansong” marked a shift from their goregrind roots and technical death metal sound. This album embraced a groove-oriented approach, blending heavy rock with melodic hooks while maintaining their signature intensity.
Carcass’s 2013 comeback album,
Surgical Steel, garnered critical acclaim for its blend of technicality, melodic death metal, and dark humor.
Carcass’s “Torn Arteries” (2021) showcases the band’s technical mastery. Bill Steer’s intricate riffs and solos dominate, while Jeff Walker’s snarling vocals and morbid lyrics remain signature. Daniel Wilding’s relentless drumming underpins the sonic onslaught.