Carcass are one of the few bands that managed to make huge jumps between recordings. Reek of Putrifaction was basically noisecore, more notable for it's outlandish outwork and horrific production than anything else. Symphonies of Sickness began to show where things were going, but this release is where Carcass began to really heat things up. An intricate sludgefest, Necroticism pulls you into the mix with no remorse. This is one of the heaviest albums out there in terms of sound and power. No kidding, this tape broke Rob's tape deck on the first play! Everything is tighter this time out, and the addition of guitar god Mike Amott is always a welcome presence on any album. It is exactly the guitar interplay between these two which makes this record so interesting. Passages jump from galloping riffs to classical picking, creating a somewhat "swirling" miasma of tone. Ken Owen's drumming also helps propel this album, as his always quirky beats may shift rapidly, but always appropriate to the song. This is definitely the pivotal Carcass album, highly recommended.
9 out of 10

Another giant leap for Carcass, Heartwork is a metal masterpiece of bludgeoning riffs, soaring melodies, and frenzied vocals. From start to finish, this album kills! Even more technically advanced than Necroticism, Carcass clears some of the sludge to make an album which is just as heavy, but light years more accessible. Gone are Bill Steer's contributions as he concentrates more on his intricate guitar interplay with Mike Amott. Ken Owen continues to improve on every album, adding a solid yet idiosyncratic foundation to the overall sound. I can't think of another drummer out there that plays like he does. He handles blast beats and nuances with ease and incredible tightness. The only element which may not stand out is Jeff Walker's bass, for as with every album, it's there, but buried in the low end. This may be due to the fact that they ARE tuned down 2.5 steps to B! Overall, the production is excellent, as can be expected from Colin Richardson. Very tight and professional, this is destined to be a classic in the genre and is one of my favorite death metal albums of all time.
10 out of 10

This is tough... Carcass is by far one of my favorite bands, one who over the span of three albums helped define the death metal scene. Swansong, however, is treading dangerously close to Megadeth territory. For their credit, it is again a step up in musicianship and songwriting ability, but the intensity of their previous albums is long gone. This is a good album, however, with tons of catchy riffs and strong lyrics. The transition that will be finalized on the Blackstar album is evident here, with emphasis placed on the verse-chorus-verse paradigm. While I recomend this album, it is not by any stretch definitive of the band. This is the one to get after you have all of the others, and before Barbed Wire Soul.
7 out of 10