Carcass - Heartwork (Columbia/Earache)

How many acts, save Carcass, employ the use of medical encyclopedias as a means of lyrical inspiration? Well, there have been a few, to be sure. None of these cheap imitators have had the impact that Carcass had on their first 3 records. Even though they still retained remnants of this gory lyrical sensibility on their third full length Necroticism: Descanting the Insalubrious, one can clearly see the impending demise of this style of phrasing. Enter Heartwork, a sonic masterstroke steeped in technical prowess, and devoid of morgue terminology; abandoned in favor of other dark themes. Rife with triple picking madness, Msrs. Steer and Amott are definitely at the pinnacle of of their craft here. The whirlwind fury of the rhythm section of Ken Owen and Jeff Walker (drums and bass, respectively) is an attack of epic proportions unseen in previous efforts, with a clarity unmatched by their peers. This is arguably one of the greatest extreme metal releases of all time. Check out highlights like Buried Dreams, No Love Lost, Blind Bleeding the Blind, and the H.R. Giger inspired title track Heartwork for a glimpse of something truly unique and special.


- C. Kolakowski