Carcass Sets the Stage for an Unforgettable Night of Death Metal in Colombia

The venerable British death metal ensemble Carcass, celebrated for their unparalleled mastery in dissecting the sonic entrails of the genre, is poised to captivate the Colombian audience with an electrifying performance. Scheduled for May 9th, 2024, at Zona 16 in Bogotá, the event promises a visceral musical onslaught, featuring not only their latest album ‘Torn Arteries’ (2021) but also an extensive selection from their distinguished discography.

Bill Steer, Carcass’s guitarist, in a recent dialogue with Australia’s Everblack podcast, revealed that despite the band’s focus on upcoming tours and festival dates, there is a tentative discussion about new material, mirroring a pattern observed after ‘Surgical Steel’ (2013). However, he noted that all band members need to be aligned for recording to commence.

Additionally, Steer is exploring a side project with friends in Leeds, aiming to create music that blends ‘70s bluesy hard rock and New Wave of British Heavy Metal, without adhering strictly to any specific genre, showcasing his commitment to evolving musically beyond Carcass.

Carcass, a seminal entity in the evolution of extreme metal music, emerged in Liverpool, England, in 1985. Originally composed of guitarist Bill Steer, drummer Ken Owen, and vocalist Sanjiv, the band underwent significant line-up changes before solidifying its position as a pioneer of grindcore and melodic death metal. The group’s early works are characterized by a blistering fusion of thrash metal intensity and the anarchic energy of hardcore punk.

Carcass rapidly ascended to prominence within the burgeoning British death metal scene. This genre, characterized by its vehemently aggressive musical style and often macabre or confrontational lyrics, found in Carcass one of its most innovative and influential proponents. Their music, suffused with intricate, technically proficient instrumentation and complex compositional structures, significantly contributed to the evolution and diversification of death metal, not only in the United Kingdom but globally.

Carcass’s debut album, ‘Reek of Putrefaction’ (1988), is renowned for its raw production, complex song structures with rapidly shifting tempos, and dissonant harmonies. This album, along with ‘Symphonies of Sickness’ (1989), exemplified their pioneering influence on the grindcore scene by introducing a novel thematic focus on medical pathology, a distinctive feature within the genre. Carcass contributed significantly to the development of the goregrind subgenre, characterized by its graphic, medical-themed narratives and a visceral aesthetic presentation. Their approach combined detailed pathological descriptions with a sonically unrefined assault, enhancing the cultural resonance and innovative impact of their music on the genre.

With the addition of bassist and vocalist Jeff Walker, Carcass began to refine their approach. The release of ‘Symphonies of Sickness’ (1989) saw a development in their sound, incorporating denser arrangements and clearer production. The lyrics continued to draw on medical and forensic terminology, enhancing the band’s reputation for intellectual rigor and distinct thematic content.

Carcass’s transformative phase became evident with the release of ‘Necroticism – Descanting the Insalubrious’ (1991), marking a departure from their raw grindcore origins towards a more technically complex style known as technical death metal. This album showcased a significant evolution in their music, featuring intricate riffs, solos, and a notable increase in melodic guitar work, reflecting a higher level of musicianship.

This musical evolution was further refined in ‘Heartwork’ (1993), an album credited with pioneering the melodic death metal subgenre. ‘Heartwork’ diverged from the chaotic style of earlier works, presenting more polished production and structured songwriting that made the music accessible to a broader audience without sacrificing the band’s intrinsic intensity. The gore-laden lyrics of the past were tempered, emphasizing melody and cohesive composition, thus broadening their appeal and maintaining their aggressive edge.

After ‘Heartwork,’ Carcass released ‘Swansong’ (1996), which exhibited a further evolution toward a groove-laden rock-oriented sound. Although it initially received mixed reviews due to its stylistic shift, Swansong was later recognized for its foresight in blending extreme metal with traditional rock elements.

Following a hiatus, Carcass reformed in 2007, performing live with various line-ups and eventually releasing ‘Surgical Steel’ (2013), which was hailed as a return to form. This album combined the melodic sensibilities of ‘Heartwork’ with the technical prowess of ‘Necroticism – Descanting the Insalubrious,’ reaffirming the band’s critical and influential position in the metal scene.

The impact of Carcass extends beyond their musical output. They were instrumental in cultivating a distinct identity for the British death metal scene, characterized by an unapologetic embrace of the grotesque and a relentless pursuit of musical innovation. This identity not only differentiated British bands from their American and Scandinavian counterparts, who often focused more on satanic and mythological themes, but also contributed to a global dialogue about the boundaries of taste, art, and expression in heavy music.

Moreover, Carcass’s influence permeated the broader metal scene through their approach to guitar work and arrangement. Guitarists Bill Steer and Michael Amott (during his tenure with the band) are renowned for their pioneering techniques, which have inspired countless musicians within and outside the death metal sphere. Their riffs and solos, characterized by their technicality and emotive capacity, helped bridge the gap between death metal and traditional heavy metal, facilitating a cross-pollination of audiences and musical styles.

Carcass not only spearheaded significant stylistic developments within death metal but also influenced the genre’s cultural perception. By integrating complex medical jargon and forensic pathology into their lyrics, they challenged existing norms and taboos within music and broader cultural discourse. This thematic and musical innovation ensured that their influence would be felt across multiple dimensions of the death metal scene, affirming their position as key architects of the genre’s evolution.

Most recently, Carcass released ‘Torn Arteries’ on September 17th, 2021, also under Nuclear Blast Records. Continuing the legacy of their previous work, this album blends the technical proficiency and aggressive styling that have long characterized their music, proving that Carcass remains a relevant force in the extreme metal scene.

The album demonstrates a robust blend of death metal and melodic elements, characteristics that have defined Carcass’s sound since their inception. The tracklist features compositions that showcase intricate guitar work and complex arrangements, signifying a mature continuation of the musical themes found in their previous works, particularly 2013’s ‘Surgical Steel.’ Notably, tracks like ‘Eleanor Rigor Mortis’ and ‘Under the Scalpel Blade’ exemplify the band’s technical prowess and ability to weave dense, lyrical content with heavy, impactful instrumentation.

Thematically, ‘Torn Arteries’ delves into the visceral, often grotesque imagery typical of Carcass’s earlier lyrical content, yet it exhibits a refined approach to songwriting and structure. This is apparent in the way the album balances aggression with melody, a hallmark of the band’s later era. The production, handled by Andy Sneap, underscores this balance by providing clarity to the complex layers of guitars, bass, and drums, ensuring that each element is discernible yet harmonious with the whole.

The reception of ‘Torn Arteries’ reflects its significance within the metal community. Critics and fans alike have lauded the album for its ability to remain true to the band’s roots while pushing forward into new realms of musical expression. This has been particularly noted in how the album juxtaposes raw energy with meticulous craftsmanship, a trait that Carcass has honed over decades.

In the broader context of metal music, ‘Torn Arteries’ serves as a testament to Carcass’s enduring influence and innovation. The album not only adds to the band’s legacy but also enhances the genre’s evolution, influencing emerging bands and setting a high standard for quality and creativity in metal music production. Through ‘Torn Arteries,’ Carcass continues to shape the trajectory of extreme metal, confirming their status as pioneers and perpetuators of the genre’s development.

Through each phase of their evolution, Carcass has influenced numerous bands and subgenres within the broader metal community, making their mark with a blend of technical mastery and innovative songwriting. Each album not only captures a moment in the evolution of metal but also showcases the band’s ability to adapt and reinvent their sound across decades.

‘Torn Arteries’ was developed in a series of recording sessions across Sweden and Leeds, with an emphasis on an organic songwriting process primarily driven by Steer’s riffs and Dan Wilding’s drumming, later refined by Jeff Walker’s critical approach to vocals and structure. This method underscores Carcass’s preference for traditional, technology-limited production methods, affirming their dedication to authenticity in their creative process.

As Carcass prepares to return to Colombia, fans are encouraged to partake in this monumental event, a testament to the band’s enduring legacy and continued relevance in the metal community.