Swansong was released in 1996 after Extreme Metal pioneers Carcass had an unlikely stint as a major-label act in the US. With Columbia unwilling to release the album it was given back to the band and their UK indie label Earache to release, by which time the band had already split up (hence the title). The album met with a muted reception. While the diehard Metal underground felt it was too watered-down it was also way too extreme for mainstream acceptance.
This is Carcass’ “Rot n’ Roll” album. The groovy, stripped-down feel of the performance gives the album a Classic Rock vibe but the up-front delivery is defiantly Metallic with speaker-rattling production from Colin Richardson. Meaty and sophisticated guitar riffs are topped with deft, melodic solos and underpinned with a powerful bass sound. Ken Owen’s drumming is sublime and Jeff Walker’s exasperated snarl and nihilistic lyrics offer the album’s most extreme components. In many ways, the qualities Carcass exhibits on Swansong are very similar to those of Megadeth’s 90s output, albeit a Death Metal equivalent.
Opener Keep on Rotting in the Free World’s rumination on the Western economy still sounds relevant and, as the seriously weighty guitars open up into the harmonised chorus riff, it’s a truly exciting way to kick off an album. Tomorrow Belongs to Nobody’s opening riff salvo is just about the best HM riffing you’ll ever hear and the arpeggios of Child’s Play offer the album’s uplifting lighter-waving moment.
However, Swansong suffers from a mid-album lull that it struggles to recover from, largely due to the lack of variation in tempo. The album regains its footing in the second half with Generation Hexed, Firm Hand and the Thin Lizzy-esque R**k the Vote standing out as album highlights.
Although flawed, Swansong’s enthralling blend of power and flair has a strong appeal. The combination of Classic Metal sensibility and grinding delivery make this an ideal starting point for anyone interested in exploring heavier terrain and there is enough depth to reward repeated listens. On the eve of their comeback album Surgical Steel there is no better time to revisit their great underdog album.
[Carcass – Tomorrow Belongs to Nobody]
HEAVY METAL OVERLOAD 
You know this is pretty much beyond me in terms of heaviness, but I still wanted to support you in your heavy metal addiction. So with that in mind:
Scooby dooby doooooo!
LikeLike
Shaggy?
LikeLike
Rrats Rright!
LikeLike
Zoinks! I’m off to the kitchen for an insanely massive sandwich.
LikeLike
Hahaha all of this was awesome.
LikeLike
You’re saying that now but wait until we rip off your ghostly mask to reveal that your were just the janitor all this time!
LikeLike
If it weren’t for you meddling kids!!!
LikeLike
I truly dig Carcass until worry for Walker’s vocal cords takes over. I’m just I sufficiently nihilistic.
LikeLike
He was too nihilistic to take singing lessons by all accounts. His voice seems to be holding up nicely these days so don’t worry too much!
LikeLike
Fuuuuuucckk YEEEEEAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!! Oh man I LOVED that track! If I was ever in a band, I want it sound like THAT! Wooooo! This makes me want to drive really fast and smash into stuff! Grarrrrr!!
LikeLike
You liked it then? Haha
LikeLike
No, not really. It was only … AWESOME! Definitely on the Taranna trip shopping list.
LikeLike
Well, it’s not a perfect album by any means but well worth checking out if you come across it.
LikeLike
I saw them support Bodycount in Bradford, they were awesome – frighteningly heavy. I like the sound of this being their RnR LP.
LikeLike
Cool! When was that show?
LikeLike
I went with a guy I was working with in a warehouse in Leeds a the time, so I’m guessing late 93, early 94. It was at a really plush nightclub in Bradford called Maestros – there were marble fountains in the gents.
From memory Bodycount’s gear hadn’t showed up, I think. It was one of the roughest gigs I’ve ever been too – one of the few I never went down the front for. I remember one guy reeling past me with a totally flattened nose…
LikeLike
Sounds like an experience! … and marble fountains? At a Bodycount/Carcass gig?!
LikeLike
This is my introduction to Carcass but I can definitely see that “no man’s land” dilemma – too extreme for the mainstream, not enough for others. I suppose there have been more accessible band names!
LikeLike
Haha true! But… some fairly extreme bands did pretty well in the 90s so I can understand the majors taking a chance on these bands… even if it seems doomed to failure now!
LikeLike
Funny thing is I don’t really remember their music but spent lots of times at Tower Records perusing their song titles…classic!
LikeLike
BTW you liked my Mob Rules post about the mayor of SD…did you guys know the story about that? Just wondering how far that story went.
LikeLike
Didn’t reach here… that I know about anyway. I only looked into it after reading your post.
LikeLike
You mean their classics like Crepitating Bowel Erosion?
LikeLike
Or….Vomited Anal Tract. Could you imagine one of those extended commercials for Carcass Greatest Hits….you’ll receive hits like ? Or !. Their love songs….! and *
LikeLike
Haha that would be amazing! There was actually a compilation came out after they split. It was called “Choice Cuts”. See what they did there?
There was also a rarities collection called “Wake Up and Smell the… Carcass” but its cover would definitely have stopped it being stocked at some outlets! Haha…
LikeLike
So are you a fan of their music? Like I said I never got much past the titles. I remember listening, but, dont really remember their stuff. They made an impact though!!
LikeLike
Yes I’m a fan but I gradually prefer each album as they went on. They gave up the gory lyrics after 3 albums. I think you’d appreciate the guitar on this one. Great playing.
LikeLike
Finally listened to the posted song…very musical. Even the growling voice fits well. Like it!
LikeLike
Awesome! Glad you liked it.
LikeLike
I love the style and sound and production of this album and the first two songs are two of my favourite Metal songs of all time, but I agree there’s a massive “mid-album slump.” no matter how great the direction of the album is, some of the songs just aren’t spectacular.
LikeLike
Totally agree. It’s hard to say what songs I’d remove though. There’s no real bad songs, they just start to sound so samey after a while.
LikeLike
I love the first three songs on this. Very underrated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Totally agree! The first three songs are amazing. It’s not their best album but it’s got some of their best songs on it I reckon.
LikeLike