CARCASS „“Swansong” Limited Edition Dual Disc”

Music: Death Metal/Rock
Country: United Kingdom
Web site: www.myspace.com/carcass
Cool Songs: Black Star, Child’s Play

Early recordings by CARCASS such as “Reek of Putrefaction,” “Symphonies of Sickness” and “Necroticism-Descanting the Insalubrious” were some of the most influential albums for the grind scene, as well as for their label. “Heartwork,” saw release through a deal Earache brokered with media giant—Columbia Records. Although this album still had a clear death/grind influence, and provided the blue prints for the melodic death sound, it signified a change in the band’s sound, which received a poor response from longtime faithful fans. The following album, “Swan Song,” followed a similar mode of change as fellow Gods of Grind alum ENTOMBED, opting for a death-n-roll hybrid. “Swan Song” ushered in a new phase in the group, one without descriptions of gross and obscure medial disorders-themed songs and extreme speed.

The exposure Columbia Records brought hooked in a new generation of fans, but the drastic style change received a sharp backlash from fans of the earlier material. “Swan Song” also marked the group’s end. Even in the midst of mixed approval, Earache’s limited edition, dual disc reissue is warranted for its historical significance. For those whom accepted the album, this edition has much to offer.

The deluxe edition comes packaged in a wicked gatefold cover that contains a DVD and CD. In addition to the original album, the music disc includes a bonus track, “Death Rider Da.” The DVD features the documentary: The Pathologist’s Report Part V: Decomposition.

The documentary consists of a half-hour interview with the group on various topics pertaining to the time period and completion of “Swan Song.” The group covers such topics as their signing to Columbia Records, the criticism received through this release, the artwork and a discussion of the group’s influence on the current scene. The group talks about why they created this album and spoke on its questionable contents. Drummer Ken Owen gives a sobering look at his debilitating stroke suffered in 1999, which left him in a coma for nine months and confined to a wheel time for quite some time.

The DVD portion is important, if for nothing else, the band gives an explanation for the album's style. This explanation is so important because it is hard to figure out just what the group was thinking recording this album. There are positive aspects such as the heavy tones and doom-like direction, which somewhat resembles CROWBAR. Some of these grooves are catchy and always heavy, but when a group creates the type of savagery expressed on early records such as theirs, it is difficult to handle something so tamed. The song topics and song titles just aren’t interesting. Even without being compared to the past, gross-out lyrics and song titles, the songwriting on “Swan Song” still seems bland.

When CARCASS released “Heartwork,” they found a whole new audience. This new legion of fans most likely carried over to “Swan Song,” and even though both albums are quite different, the style change probably didn’t strongly affect the attitudes of their new listeners. For these listeners, the limited edition version of “Swan Song” is a great collector’s album. For those who don’t appreciate the chunky grooves of “Swan Song,” you can pick up several new editions of the group’s earlier material at Earache’s web shop.

note: 4/10

Tracklist

Fully remastered on a DualDisc (combined CD and DVD) in a deluxe digipak with expanded artwork and a free sticker sheet. It also includes part 5 of a mini-documentary series entitled “The Pathologist's Report” as bonus video material, plus the bonus track “Death Rider Da”.

1. Keep On Rotting in the Free World
2. Tomorrow Belongs to Nobody
3. Black Star
4. Cross My Heart
5. Child's Play
6. Room 101
7. Polarized
8. Generation Hexed
9. Firm Hand
10. R**k the Vote
11. Don't Believe a Word
12. Go to Hell
Total playing time 49:45

Line-up

Bill Steer – Guitar/Vocals
Carlo Regadas – Guitar
Jeff Walker – Bass/Vocals
Ken Owen – Drums