Album Review: Carcass – Despicable

Despicable Me.

Hello  my friends and let’s usher in the new year with another lockdown, depressing it is but here is a gem from late last year that I missed, but I was determined to review. Our most grind -worthy of cousins Carcass gave us this as a palate cleanser for the upcoming album, this year all being well. 

We heard ‘Under the Scalpel Blade at the end of 2019 – review here

– and now meet the rest of the family. First up its ‘The Living Dead at The Manchester Morgue’ a rip-roaring festival of rugged riffery that is typical of this band. They are consistent in their arrangements, in their song writing and in their attitude. As for those incredibly nimble and nifty tempo changes, you think you know where you are with the song, suddenly it whisks you away into another dimension, just sublime.  It is no surprise that they have survived this industry, cemented a loyal fan base and continue to cook up gems like these. There isn’t a bad track on here, Carcass know their work and they know their worth.  

‘The Long and Winding Bier Road’ tears along at a blistering pace, much needed right now to blow away the frowstiness and get some essential fresh air into our languishing bodies. If you want me, you may find me ‘Slaughtered in Soho’ thumping along to the groove of doom that is infused in this song. It may not be as fast but speed is not always of the essence, it’s the mallet to the back of the head, which sees you on your way to the operating table, where this EP will be your soundtrack.  Ah Dr Steer, we have a patient… (the band grins maniacally from behind their masks).

Pass the surgical steel please.   

Carcass – Despicable out now via Nuclear Blast.