The Classic Metal Album Review:
Title: Necroticism - Descanting the Insalubrious
Artist: Carcass
Label: Earache Records
Release Date: 1992

Rating: 5 Skulls
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    • Slither's Review:
    Ah Necroticism, hallowed be thy name. Thou art the perfect mixture of Reek of Putrefaction's grinding fury and Heartwork's obnoxious melody. To my ears the early work is frantic and unmemorable, and the band's twilight years are marked by poor songwriting and a "dumbed down" approach to metal. Fear not listeners, for the explosion of sheer brilliance found on Necroticism is bright enough to obscure the other albums and allow me to say with confidence that Carcass kick some serious ass.

    "Corporal Jigsore Quandary" anyone? Easily one of the best songs in all of death metal. Ken Owens tones it down on this album and finally finds his feet. The approach Mr. Owens takes sees him abandoning the approach of spinning around and screaming like a bored 4th grader and focusing on a more tactful strategy that suits the songs very well. And what about those guitars? Where did this melody crap come from? Well, back when he still kicked ass (Before Heartwork) Michael Amott came on board the Carcass crew for this outing and helped round out the band's jagged riff structure with a bit of his signature melody honed in the riff forges of Carnage. Necroticism also saw the introduction of the Bill Steer and Amott solo duels that while horribly annoying amidst the chugging riffs of Heartwork are more tasteful and well suited to this first outing.

    The oft imitated high/low vocal attack pioneered by this band's early work is still in place at this point in their history, but it's clear that Jeff Walker's rasp is the prevailing force. What Necroticism represents is the high water mark of a singular entity that spawned a thousand copies. Where do Exhumed, Impaled and Aborted all get their ideas from? Right here baby. Arch Enemy fanboys, pick up a copy today and allow your ears to embrace the last time that Michael Amott didn't suck.
    5 out of 5

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