EP REVIEW: Despicable – Carcass

2020 has a lot to answer for, especially when it has the nerve to get in between us and the first CARCASS album since 2013. The initially announced Torn Arteries release has been temporarily postponed with a view for a 2021 release due to the ongoing pandemic but in the meantime the British death metal legends have decided to provide us with a taste of what to expect with four track EP entitled Despicable which is due for release on October 30th via Nuclear Blast Records. Will this keep their droves of hungry fans satisfied?

The Living Dead At The Manchester Morgue gives you an instantly nostalgic embrace with the melodic grooves we’ve all come to know and love. Rather than going completely bonkers from the offset it eases you in with a dramatic vibe and a confident, chugging stride with Jeff Walker‘s signature snarls sound as sharp as ever. As the track progresses the tempo starts to shift to keep you on your toes as flourishes of frantic riffing and scintillating drum segments make their presence felt. The Long And Winding Bier Road follows suit with a similar intro structure and a particularly uplifting tone, the vocal work is even injected with an effective melodic swagger as the chorus arrives. Whilst being pretty straightforward in its construction it still packs a considerable bite.

Under The Scalpel Blade opens up with some swiftly executed guitar work and an array of blast beats before transitioning into a more restrained, stomping tempo which proves to be incredibly addictive. Bill Steer reels off some impressive lead work in emphatic fashion to remind us of what we have been missing in their period of dormancy. Slaughtered In Soho possesses a rather eccentric, quirky demeanour in the initial stages before introducing some darker, ominous tones alongside some peculiarly placed cowbell.

If you went into this release expecting a continuation of the rampant carnage of Surgical Steel you may not quite find what you were seeking. Despicable leans towards the more accessible Swansong era with its optimistically melodic mood and whilst this may not satiate the bloodthirsty death metal fans of yesteryear it certainly scratches the itch. CARCASS have nothing left to prove to anyone and have more than earned the right to go about their business as they see fit, some may have preferred to hold on for a lengthier release but the tracks that are available are contained with enough punch to tide us over until the release of a full length becomes more viable.

Rating: 8/10

Despicable is set for release on October 30th via Nuclear Blast Records.

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