ARTIST: Carcass
ALBUM NAME: Despicable (EP)
RELEASE DATE: October 30, 2020
COUNTRY: England
CITY: Liverpool
GENRE: Melodic Death Metal
Members:
Jeff Walker (Bass/Vocals)
Bill Steer (Guitars)
Tom Draper (Guitars)
Daniel Wilding (Drums)
Carcass were always an anomaly in the extreme music world. Starting out as one of the pioneers of UK grindcore, they quickly evolved and flexed their collective fingers into the pies of death metal, melodic death metal, and even really heavy, dirty rock and roll, all with their own unique personality. One thing that remained fixed throughout was a high standard of quality, intricate guitar work, and a sickly worldview, all of which creates the Carcass sound, instantly recognisable and deeply addictive.
After disbanding in 1996 after numerous line-up changes and differing opinions on direction, things went very quiet until they reformed in 2007 (sadly without original drummer Ken Owen who, after suffering a brain haemorrhage in the late 90’s, wasn’t able to play with the intensity he once had) and releasing the critically-acclaimed “Surgical Steel” in 2013, a return to form with a very “Heartwork” vibe (still their most popular album amongst the majority of fans). Seven years later, the band were aiming to record and release a follow-up album until 2020 threw a spanner in the works. Being the cool cats that they are though, they decided to throw us this stop-gap EP to tide us over until they can hit us with the new opus.
With four songs at just under 20 minutes, “Despicable” is prime Carcass with all the trimmings and differing inspirations. “The Living Dead At The Manchester Morgue” starts with an epic, eerie intro that is immediately recognisable, before throwing us into a meaty mid-paced riff and Jeff Walker’s trademark growl. It quickly picks up the pace with meticulous guitar histrionics as only Bill Steer can conjure, and it all feels warm and familiar. “The Long And Winding Bier Road” relies on a chunky-ass riff and exuberance, wrapped in more Carcass epicness and a tasteful cosmic guitar solo, and hits and runs before you know it.
With a name like “Under The Scalpel Blade”, this is pure fan fodder that hearkens back to the sound of 1996’s criminally underrated “Swansong”, all riff and fist-pounding fury, but laid into a deep groove that just won’t quit. EP-closer “Slaughtered In Soho” is sludgy and awash with interwoven melodies, not to mention crunchy weight that gives it a dark feel. Earning extra points is Steer’s solo that sounds like something that Leslie West would’ve ripped out in the 70’s (one of his big inspirations for his post-Carcass blues rock project, Firebird), a lead packed with feels and sweet, sweet tone.
Overall, “Despicable” has everything a Carcass fan needs to survive until the next album drops (hopefully in 2021), drawing strengths from throughout their history and melding them into ‘that Carcass sound’. All four tracks are highly memorable, the riffs are headbangable to the max, the leads and solos outstanding, and Walker’s vocals as evil and dirty as ever. It’s Carcass, really – if you don’t get it by now, you never will. But if you do, and there sure are a lot of us, you’ll swim these murky waters with the hugest grin on your face. Highly recommended.
Rating: 9/10
Reviewed by: John Morrow
Artwork by: Josh Foreman