Best of Carcass
Carcass · 1997
137 min · 32 tracks · death metal
Savage riffs and gruesome lyricism collide in a relentless assault of death metal power and goregrind intensity.
Top tracks — play these first
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Heartwork — A defining track that highlights Carcass' shift towards melodic elements, showcasing intricate guitar work alongside brutal lyrical themes, making it a hallmark of their sound.
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Corporal Jigsore Quandary — This track exemplifies the band's ability to fuse complex arrangements with visceral imagery, representing the peak of their artistic vision in the death metal landscape.
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Regurgitation of Giblets — An early example of Carcass' goregrind roots, its relentless pace and graphic lyrics set the tone for extreme music in the late '80s and early '90s.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The compilation captures Carcass' evolution but lacks the cohesive flow of a studio album.
What we noticed
- Tracks are sequenced to alternate between aggressive riffs and more melodic sections, reflecting their evolution in sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like dynamics with peaks
- relentless bursts of intensity
- live recordings capturing energy
- short tracks for quick thrills
- cathartic release through aggression
Maybe skip if you
- prefer melodic and calm sounds
- seek lengthy, immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — It encapsulates the band's influential evolution and solidifies their reputation.
- Career context
- Released in 1997, 'Best of Carcass' comes after the band's influential albums like 'Heartwork' (1993) and marks a retrospective of their evolution from grindcore roots to melodic death metal pioneers. This compilation showcases Carcass' significant impact on the extreme metal scene as they transitioned into mainstream recognition during the mid-90s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Entombed· At the Gates· Napalm Death
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Genital Grinder 1:31
- 2 Regurgitation of Giblets 1:23
- 3 Reek of Putrefaction 4:08
- 4 Exhume to Consume 3:49
- 5 Embryonic Necropsy and Devourment 5:13
- 6 Inpropagation 7:07
- 7 Corporal Jigsore Quandary 5:28
- 8 Incarnated Solvent Abuse 4:43
- 9 Buried Dreams 3:58
- 10 Heartwork 4:33
- 11 This Mortal Coil 3:50
- 12 Death Certificate 3:38
- 13 Rot ’n’ Roll 3:49
- 14 Keep On Rotting in the Free World 3:40
- 15 Tomorrow Belongs to Nobody 4:17
- 16 Polarized 4:01
- 17 Generation Hexed 3:47
- 18 R**k the Vote 3:52
Disc 2
- 1 Edge of Darkness 6:08
- 2 Emotional Flatline 4:15
- 3 Ever Increasing Circles 4:05
- 4 Blood Splattered Banner 4:41
- 5 I Told You So (Corporate Rock Really Does Suck) 3:50
- 6 Buried Dreams (live) 4:05
- 7 No Love Lost (live) 4:51
- 8 Rot ’n’ Roll (live) 3:44
- 9 Edge of Darkness (live) 5:49
- 10 Corporal Jigsore Quandary (live) 5:27
- 11 Incarnated Solvent Abuse (live) 4:34
- 12 Exhume to Consume (live) 4:04
- 13 Carnal Forge (live) 4:24
- 14 Heartwork (live) 5:00
What to play next
Surgical Steel
2013
Continues the intensity with a modern twist and refined sound.
Swansong
1996
Leads into 'Best of Carcass' with its blend of melodic elements and heaviness.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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