Released 30 years ago
Swansong
Carcass · 1996
49 min · 12 tracks · death metal
A cacophonous blend of death metal and grindcore with sharp melodic undertones and relentless rhythmic intensity.
Top tracks — play these first
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Keep On Rotting in the Free World — This track sets the tone for the album with its aggressive riffs and sardonic lyrics critiquing societal issues, embodying the band's signature style.
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Child’s Play — An exploration of darker themes through intricate guitar work and tempo shifts, this song highlights Carcass's ability to combine melody with heaviness effectively.
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Generation Hexed — This track encapsulates the album's commentary on disillusionment with modern society, featuring both brutal verses and soaring choruses that display musical complexity.
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Don’t Believe a Word — A politically charged anthem featuring catchy hooks alongside harsh vocals, this track exemplifies Carcass's trademark blend of critique and creativity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album balances aggressive intensity with melodic undertones, showcasing Carcass's evolution while maintaining their distinctive sound.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a relentless pace, which is maintained through the first half before shifting to more melodic elements in the latter tracks.
- 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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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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
- steady, consistent energy levels
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1996, Swansong marked Carcass's fifth studio album during a transitional period for the band. This record followed their 1993 album, Heartwork, which had brought them significant commercial success and critical acclaim. Swansong represents a shift towards a more accessible sound, blending their signature brutality with melodious elements, thereby reflecting the band's evolution at this stage.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Entombed· At the Gates· Napalm Death
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Keep On Rotting in the Free World
The verses directly confront societal apathy with biting imagery that critiques consumer culture and political indifference.
By using stark imagery that critiques complacency, the writing challenges listeners to reflect on their own complicity in societal issues.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Keep On Rotting in the Free World 3:42
- 2 Tomorrow Belongs to Nobody 4:18
- 3 Black Star 3:29
- 4 Cross My Heart 3:34
- 5 Child’s Play 5:42
- 6 Room 101 4:36
- 7 Polarized 4:02
- 8 Generation Hexed 3:47
- 9 Firm Hand 5:22
- 10 R**k the Vote 3:53
- 11 Don’t Believe a Word 3:57
- 12 Go to Hell 3:22
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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