For some time, I wondered if there was a band that started out not all that great, and then got better. Well, I have found it. Some months ago, I got Swansong from these brits, and I think it is really delivered. A far cry from their original formula, they create an album which is a landmark for the new death 'n' roll movement. Trading in their riffs that go nowhere, they create hooks and good old hellfire rock-based riffing that draws blood. Instead of the lyrics that could be a perfect soundtrack to ER, they write about social protest. The sound here could best be described as if Motorhead decided to give their sound the beef of death metal. Submit to the crushing death-rockers "Keep On Rotting In The Free World" and "Tomorrow Belongs To Nobody", the burning flow of "Polarized", the punch of "Firm Hand", and the headbanger's delight "Go To Hell" ends this hell of a farewell CD. If any of you metallers are wondering if DM and down and dirty rock can be amalgamated, this is the album for you.

This review is credited to:
Jace Bartet

Why is this album hated so much? Carcass sure doesn't sound the same as they did on previous albums, I will give you that. Sure this album isn't really "brutal," or maybe not even "death metal" at all, but should that matter? I think not. Many consider this album a sell out or commercial album, but I really disagree. I think it is beautifully crafted, groove-soaked metal. The guitar work on this album by Bill Steer and new guy Carlos Regadas is melodic, yet punishingly catchy. The melodies on this album are by far the catchiest and most memorable than the band's previous efforts. Now don't get me wrong, this isn't my favorite Carcass record, Heartwork and Necroticism are amazing death metal albums, and I'd suggest them to any death metal fan that hasn't heard them yet (but I gotta ask, where the fuck have you been living the past 5 years?) but that shouldn't take away from the fact that Swansong, appropriately titled as the band's last effort, is a great metal album. Sure it's not as technical or complex, but the songs on here are short and to the point, and what a point they get across. The band has strayed completely away from medical textbook vocabulary on this album, and the lyrics have more of a political feel, especially in the songs "R**k the Vote," and "Keep on Rotting in the Free World." My favorite track on the album is "Black Star," which also gave 3 of the guy's post-Carcass effort their band name (Blackstar Rising.) I am one of the few defenders of this album, and this is probably the first "death" metal album I owned. It really made me want to get into heavier styles of music, and I'm glad I did, but this album still holds up as a great one.

This review is credited to:
MetPanMatt