Carcass: Reek of Putrefaction (1988)

“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

  1. Genital Grinder
  2. Regurgitation of Giblets
  3. Maggot Colony
  4. Pyosisified (Rotten to the Gore)
  5. Carbonized Eye Sockets
  6. Frenzied Detruncation
  7. Vomited Anal Tract
  8. Festerday
  9. Fermenting Innards
  10. Excreted Alive
  11. Suppuration
  12. Foeticide
  13. Microwaved Uterogestation
  14. Feast on Dismembered Carnage
  15. Splattered Cavities
  16. Psychopathologist
  17. Burnt to a Crisp
  18. Pungent Excruciation
  19. Manifestation of Verrucose Urethra
  20. Oxidised Razor Masticator
  21. Mucopurulence Excretor
  22. 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.

Release Date

July 28, 1988