“Reek of Putrefaction” offers a glimpse of Carcass’s early days as pioneers of goregrind. The band’s musical path would later evolve, incorporating elements of melodic death metal and technical complexity. However, the album’s raw energy and uncompromising nature remain a testament to Carcass’s willingness to push boundaries and define an entire subgenre.
Track Listing
Genital Grinder
Regurgitation of Giblets
Maggot Colony
Pyosisified (Rotten to the Gore)
Carbonized Eye Sockets
Frenzied Detruncation
Vomited Anal Tract
Festerday
Fermenting Innards
Excreted Alive
Suppuration
Foeticide
Microwaved Uterogestation
Feast on Dismembered Carnage
Splattered Cavities
Psychopathologist
Burnt to a Crisp
Pungent Excruciation
Manifestation of Verrucose Urethra
Oxidised Razor Masticator
Mucopurulence Excretor
Malignant Defecation
Length: 39:41
Genre
Grindcore, goregrind
Release Date
28 July, 1988
Record Label
Earache Records
The Lineup for the Album
Jeff Walker: bass, Vocals
Bill Steer: guitar, Vocals
Ken Owen: drums, Vocals
Recording Date
December 1987 – March 1988
Recording Studio
Rich Bitch Studios (Birmingham, England)
Produced by
Carcass and Paul Talbot
Album Themes/Concept
Gore and Visceral Imagery: The lyrics are saturated with graphic descriptions of bodily decay, surgical procedures,maggot infestations, and general anatomical carnage.
Medical Pathology: The songs draw inspiration from real medical terms and pathologies, with a focus on the grotesque and repulsive aspects of the human body.
Anti-Sentimentality: The album presents a harsh, unflinching view of death and the physical processes of decomposition. There is a deliberate rejection of romanticizing mortality.
Body Horror: The album fixates on the vulnerability and fragility of the human body, emphasizing its susceptibility to disease and decay.
Album Mood
Visceral Disgust: The graphic descriptions of rotting flesh, infested wounds, and bodily fluids aren’t meant to be enjoyed – they’re meant to make your stomach churn.
Relentless Assault: The music matches the lyrical content – blasts of noise, frantic, dissonant guitar riffs, and guttural roars. There’s almost no melody or respite.
Oppressive & Claustrophobic: The production is raw and muddy, increasing the sense of being trapped in a vile,inescapable environment.
Grim Fascination: There is a strange, morbid allure to the extremity of it all. It’s repulsive, yet for fans of extreme metal, there’s a primal, transgressive thrill.
Album Trivia
Original Artwork Controversy: The infamous original cover art, a collage of medical autopsy photos, was deemed too graphic. It was replaced by a less visceral design. However, the original artwork has since been reinstated for some re-releases.
Limited Budget and Recording Time: The album was recorded in just four days with a minimal budget. This contributed to its raw, unpolished sound.
Vocal Style: Vocalist Jeff Walker’s guttural roars were highly influential in the development of extreme metal vocal styles. His lyrics were often constructed from a medical dictionary.
Vegetarian Inspiration: Oddly, bassist/vocalist Bill Steer was a vegetarian while the band was creating this gruesome gore-fest. This adds an interesting layer to the album’s themes of bodily decay.
Song Titles: Some of the bizarre song titles were simply medical terms the band found amusing and didn’t fully understand, adding to the absurd nature of the album.
Listen or Pass
This album might be for you if you…
Are a seasoned fan of extreme metal: If you’re already into death metal and grindcore, you’ll likely appreciate the historical importance of this album, even if it’s not your favorite style.
Enjoy the shock value and transgressive nature of goregrind: The lyrical extremity can be humorous or thought-provoking if you’re into that kind of thing.
Love the raw, unpolished sound of early death metal/grindcore: This album is a sonic assault that prioritizes intensity over technicality.
Have a strong stomach: The lyrical content is genuinely nauseating to some, but if you have a morbid fascination with the grotesque, you might enjoy it.
You might want to pass this one if you…
Are new to metal in general: “Reek of Putrefaction” is a very extreme way to start! It’s better to ease into heavier music gradually.
Are easily offended or disgusted: The lyrical descriptions are graphic and unrelenting, meant to provoke a visceral reaction.
Prefer melodic or polished metal: This album is deliberately chaotic and lo-fi. Melody isn’t the focus.
Seek deeper meaning or complex songwriting: While there are conceptual threads, this album is more about the immediate experience than philosophical depth.
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 “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.