Valkyrian Music

Beyond Grace – Monstrous [EP]

Posted in Uncategorized with tags At The Gates, Beyond Grace, Carcass, Fathomless Mastery, Heartwork, Lamb Of God, Nottingham, Ostinato on 25th April 2014 by Paul Macmillan

Beyond Grace
Monstrous
Released February 2014
Extreme melodic death metal
Self-released

It’s with no mean frequency that the phrase ‘If it ain’t got riff, it ain’t worth a fuck!’ tumbles from these lips. Nothing turns me off from an extreme band more than constant noise or technicality for the sake of it. It just doesn’t spell out H-E-A-V-Y to me. Some of my favourite metal albums are those that punch a middle finger into the face of convention, blast beats swirling effortlessly into percussive grooves. Think Carcass’ Heartwork or Bloodbath‘s opus The Fathomless Mastery (especially At The Behest Of The Dead! Damn! That chorus!).

It’s such a shame that the UK bands taking this particular musical bull by the horns are vastly outnumbered by those who pump out the same old trend-oriented metal pudding as everyone else, but those who do tend to hit me in a special place.

Step up, Nottingham’s Beyond Grace – a band who seem to have set out to make writing an actual tune part of their purpose for existence. From the first moments of opening track The Chronophage – which I believe roughly means ‘the time-eater’ – it’s obvious that this lot don’t care much for fitting in to the preconceived notions of either the current UK death scene or mainstream extreme metal (Yup, I said it. It’s a thing now!), while brushing shoulders with both. The song is an easy choice for an opener, kicking off with a bombastic announcement of power-chords, shamelessly declaring “We are here! Listen!”, but it’s the intelligent introduction of complementary lead-work that really makes it stand out.

And they’re no one-trick-pony, either. Progressing to the accompanying tracks, Inhumanity and Invasive Exotics, they churn out riff after riff of addictive, individual brutality. While more consistently fast-paced, these two numbers guide the listener through a bit of an experiment in combining elements of rhythmic divergence and harmonious exaltation. The entire EP is dripping with all the best bits of At The Gates, Lamb Of God and The Haunted, without really sounding like any of them. I think I even sense the echoes of 80s thrash in there, but that could just be decades-old tinnitus.

It’s also worthy of note that frontman Andy Walmsley is one of the few who can really nail down clarity of lyrical content while dealing in full-on death metal vocals. It’s not something that everybody will care about, and to be fair, I do love a whole load of bands who haven’t achieved this, but I find it adds a little something being able tap into the story aspect of a heavy song on first listen.

I’d really like to hear full-length continuation of this style, but maybe with a more aggressive, rawer production, as it feels something is missing in terms of bite, and the whole thing is over far too soon for my liking. That said, this is a gripping, memorable release, proving, to these ears at least, that you don’t have to ditch any sense of melody and/or hooks to keep up with the pace of modern heaviness. More of this kind of thing!

4/5

Paul Macmillan

Carcass guitarist Bill Steer wants to write another album

Posted in News with tags Andy Sneap, Bill Steer, Carcass, Extreme Metal, Metalshrine, Nuclear Blast on 16th December 2013 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Bill Steer, guitarist for the legendary Carcass, recently stated in an interview that he’d like to write and release another studio album. Bill Steer said in the aforementioned interview with Metalshrine the following:

Yeah. There’s a mutual agreement between us that we’d like to do one. There’s an awareness that if we can get through the next seven months of touring and festivals and still like each other and feel good about this, we definitely want to do a record. There’s loads of lessons we learnt on this one and while I’ve still got it fresh in my head, I want to build on that. It’s fun, but it’s a really challenging thing to do because I haven’t done anything creatively in this genre of music for so long, but it suddenly felt very fresh. I had escaped it because it was too limited in my mind and after a few years of doing other styles of music, I found there were new limitations with that and I wanted to go back and do extreme music again. [laughs] You can never be 100% happy, but right now this is what I like doing. As I said, it’s a challenge and probably more so now than ever, because it’s hard to be innovative in this music. There’s a lot of incredible players out there. Especially the American guys, they’re treating it like a sport and the drummers especially and you have to admire the dedication and tenacity, but I also think this music has to have a little bit of soul and maybe some swing.

In the interview, he also stated that Andy Sneap would definitely be the producer for the next album. The full interview with Metalshrine can be read here.

Carcass online:

Carcass talk about “Surgical Steel” artwork (valkyrianmusic.com)
Andy Sneap, Kev Bower and Bill Steer discuss ultimate tour line-up (valkyrianmusic.com)
Carcass post third track-by-track trailer (valkyrianmusic.com)

Three more bands confirmed for Bloodstock

Posted in News with tags 2014, Bloodstock Open Air, boa, Carcass, Cristina Scabbia, down, Emperor, Festival, Jeff Walker, Lacuna Coil, Megadeth, Primordial on 28th November 2013 by Hannah

Lacuna Coil, Carcass and Primordial have been announced as the latest acts on an increasingly epic bill for Bloodstock Open Air 2014!

Italian metallers Lacuna Coil will be bringing their sonic wall of Gothic-tinged sound to Catton Hall for the second time, performing the Ronnie James Dio stage on the Saturday. Frontwoman Cristina Scabbia reflected on their return with a sneak peek of what fans can expect from their set:

“It will be LACUNA COIL’s second time there and I’m curious to see how the festival has grown. We will have songs from the new album and some LC classics, so see ya all in the summer!”

The legendary Carcass will be acting as Saturday’s Special Guests , and after their triumphant debut release with Nuclear Blast, Surgical Steel, gained wide acclaim and rave reviews, they have promised to be ‘firing on all cylinders’ with their set. Also announced are Irish gaelic metal outfit Primordial, returning after a victorious set in 2011. This may be one of your only opportunities to catch them next year, so don’t miss it. All three bands join an exceptional roster including Emperor, Down, Megadeth, Saxon and Amon Amarth, and with Early Bird tickets selling fast, it might be time to secure your place at what is promising to be the metal event of the year.

As Jeff Walker commands, “Let there be rot!”

http://primordialweb.com
http://facebook.com/primordialofficial

Primordial confirmed for Bloodstock 2014

Posted in News with tags Amon Amarth, Bloodstock, Bloodstock Open Air, Carcass, Derbyshire, Lacuna Coil, Megadeth, Primordial on 28th November 2013 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Gaelic metal warriors Primordial have announced that they’ll be playing Bloodstock Open Air Festival in 2014, with bands such as Carcass, Lacuna Coil, Emperor, Megadeth and more, as well as label mates Amon Amarth.

Bloodstock will be held at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 7th-10th August 2014. Keep up to date with the very latest info on Bloodstock’s official sites at this location (Official Facebook) and this location (Official Website).

Primordial online:

Hatebreed’s Jamey Jasta discusses returning to Bloodstock Open Air (valkyrianmusic.com)
Bloodstock Amon Amarth Exclusive! (valkyrianmusic.com)
New band announcements for Bloodstock (wyrdwaysnews.wordpress.com)
BLOODSTOCK ANNOUNCE 2014’s ‘METAL 2 THE MASSES’ PROGRAMME (wyrdwaysnews.wordpress.com)
Bloodstock 2014 Announcements (valkyrianmusic.com)
Bloodstock Wins Festival Award (wyrdwaysnews.wordpress.com)
Megadeth Announced as Sunday Night Headliners at Bloodstock 2014 (wyrdwaysnews.wordpress.com)
BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR FESTIVAL announces additions to 2014 line up (wyrdwaysnews.wordpress.com)
More Bloodstock Announcements: Amon Amarth, Hatebreed & Pong (ninthcirclenetwork.wordpress.com)
Amon Amarth on Grooveshark (grooveshark.com)

Andy Sneap, Kev Bower and Bill Steer discuss ultimate tour line-up

Posted in News with tags Amon Amarth, Andy Sneap, Carcass, Glasgow, Hell, London, Nuclear Blast, Viking on 12th November 2013 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Legendary British metal acts Hell and Carcass kick off their UK tour with none other than Swedish Viking death metal maestros Amon Amarth today. As such, the bands’ label Nuclear Blast decided to get Carcass’s Bill Steer and Hell’s Andy Sneap and Kev Bower together to discuss their ultimate tour line-up and why they want to see those bands on the same line-up. The discussion can be viewed below.

Catch Carcass, Hell, Amon Amarth and Bleed Within in the cities below:

Nov 12 – Birmingham o2 Academy
Nov 13 – Manchester o2 Academy
Nov 14 – Glasgow Barrowland
Nov 15 – Bristol o2 Academy
Nov 17 – London Forum

Damnation 2013: Bands you must see! (valkyrianmusic.com)

http://facebook.com/officialcarcass

Damnation 2013: Bands you must see!

Posted in Editorial/Opinionated, Featured with tags Adrian Erlandsson, Carcass, Damnation, damnation festival, Death Metal, God Seed, Hamish Glencross, Iron Witch, Katatonia, Leeds, Nico Davidson, Primordial, Rotting Christ, Twilight Of The Gods on 11th October 2013 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

The days are counting down until Damnation Festival once again lays waste to the city of Leeds with a truly heavy, dark and spectacular line-up. Here’s our list of bands you must go see at this year’s Damnation…

Rotting Christ

^{Chosen by Iza Raittila.}

For those who are fed up with all the gimmicks present in today’s black and death metal scenes, be sure to check out Rotting Christ at this year’s Damnation Festival. These guys prove once and for all that there’s really no need for corpse-paint or fancy, “evil” looking stage-props to put on a great show. They rely solely on their energy and skills as musicians to win over the crowds. You won’t be disappointed.

^{Chosen by Alex Cook.}

The legendary Carcass are due to headline this year’s Damnation festival and I have heard from many people that they are the ONLY band that they are bothered about seeing. This in many ways is a shame, but such is the power of a band that so many metal fans grew up listening to. Carcass are easily one of the more accessibly Death metal bands, although suitably graphic in their lyrics, their real strength lies in the accessibility of their riffs and the urge they produce in us to bang our heads with complete abandon. I was listening to my copy of Heartwork recently (on cassette no less) and was struck by the fact that despite it being 10 years old, it still sounds fresh and heavy without being over-bearing. It is an album that leaves on imprint on your musical memory, so that when anyone mentions the band or you hear a snippet of No Love Lost, Embodiment or Doctrinal Expletives to name but a few, you are reminded why you first fell in love with the genre in the first place. That, and Carcass’s new album Surgical Steel is something of a quiet masterpiece. Unpretentious and all-encompassing, it delivers on everything we expect from Carcass which is solid, accessible and memorable material. If you’re still not sure about the merits of Carcass, let them entertain you at Damnation festival. I am certain that even if you just stick your head around the door, you will be enchanted and undoubtedly end up in the pit that ensues whenever Carcass play live.

God Seed

^{Chosen by Hannah O’Flanagan.}

If you’re asking me why you should go and see God Seed, I’ll ask you why you’re attending Damnation at all. Made from the fall out of the Gorgoroth name dispute saga, God Seed is Gaahl and King ov Hell‘s new project that delivers insanely atmospheric black metal as only Gaahl and KoH can. They’ve triumphantly appeared at Wacken and supported Cradle of Filth on their Manticore tour, and I can guarantee the experience of watching God Seed perform will be like no other. Their 2012 debut I Begin is a good place to start if you still don’t believe me. But stand before the infernal glory of God Seed and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Vallenfyre

^{Chosen by Alex Cook.}

Vallenfyre are also a band to look out for at Damnation. They are something of a super-group for those whose hearts belong to early 90’s Doom and Death metal, and they do not disappoint. Featuring Gregor Mackintosh from Paradise Lost, Hamish Glencross from My Dying Bride and Adrian Erlandsson of At the Gates, you get the impression from their releases that it is just a bit of fun and that the members are stretching their wings and proving they have a capacity for a genre separate from how they have made their names. Their album A Fragile King’is engrossing and infectious and just pure, crushing, dirty death metal. Tracks such as Desecration, Cathedrals of Dread and A Thousand Martyrs reek of the infamous Boss HM2 pedal which makes any Entombed fan salivate at the mouth and it is used to spectacular effect. Expect nothing but great things if you catch them at Damnation and be sure to pick up a copy of A Fragile King beforehand so your appetite for the old school is suitably whetted.

Dyscarnate

^{Chosen by Nico Davidson.}

No Damnation line-up would be complete without a slab of face-crushing, ear-splitting death metal and that’s exactly what Dyscarnate offer. Be it recorded or live, Dyscarnate‘s crushing use of riffs will utterly abuse you and leaving you begging for more like a glutton for punishment. Having already devastated venues across the UK and toured with bands like Fleshgod Apocalypse and most recently Psycroptic and Hour Of Penance, Dyscarnate are at the front of the UK’s death metal and represent everything good about it!

Katatonia

^{Chosen by Lauren Gowdy.}

Although their songs aren’t as fast as a majority of the bands playing Damnation Festival, Katatonia is one band that everyone should check out. Their playing is heavy and slow but filled with so much emotion that it literally will suck you into their set. Not to mention that their stage presence is captivating, and you may either find yourself headbanging slowly along with the riffs or just standing and observing the sheer awesomeness of their set. Anyone who is a fan of Opeth should definitely check out Katatonia because both bands are very similar only difference being that Katatonia does not have as many heavy songs as Opeth. They will be worth sticking around to see towards the end of the day, and I guarantee you will remember their set!

Iron Witch

^{Chosen by Nico Davidson.}

Liverpudlian doom noise mongers Iron Witch are definitely one to keep an eye out for at Damnation this year. Straying from the classic doom sound, the Scouser quintet incorporate hardcore punk vibes and gritty riffs with their doomesque connoction that has helped put themselves on a map. Being relatively young compared to the vast majority of the Damnation line-up and other bands on the British doom scene, Iron Witch have had their fair share of success and I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t reach the same level as Liverpudlian doom overlords Anathema.

Twilight Of The Gods

^{Chosen by Ian Foster.}

One of the many band who will be appearing at the Damnation Festival 2013 are Twilight Of The Gods, a five piece band who were initially formed with the intent of paying tribute to the legendary Bathory and writing music inspired by them. The band have just released their debut album Fire On The Mountain. The band includes members of Primordial, Lock Up, Einherjer, Thyrfing and Aura Noir so there’s some real pedigree involved here and there’s far more than Bathory worship going on. You can definitely hear a lot of influence from the classic metal bands on the Fire On The Mountain album, but after all it’s what the band set out to do. Definitely a band for fans of old school heavy metal to check out at the festival.

[Editor’s note: If you didn’t see Primordial at last year’s Damnation, TOTG are the next best thing]

Damnation Festival will take palce on 2nd November at Leeds University Union. Tickets are available from this location.

Five reasons you must go to Damnation 2013! (valkyrianmusic.com)
Seven new bands announced for Damnation 2013 plus additional fourth stage (valkyrianmusic.com)
Final bands announced for Damnation 2013 (valkyrianmusic.com)
Carcass – Surgical Steel (valkyrianmusic.com)
Fleshgod Apocalypse – Labyrinth (valkyrianmusic.com)

4 Comments »

Carcass – Surgical Steel

Posted in Review with tags ASTM International, Carcass, Death Metal, Heartwork, Heavy metal music, Jeffrey Walker, Steel, Surgical Steel on 6th October 2013 by Contra Mundi

Carcass
Surgical Steel
Released 16 September 2013
Death Metal/Grindcore
Released via Nuclear Blast

I have been a fan of Carcass for quite some time. I inherited a copy of Heartwork on cassette from my sister and I never gave her it back despite her ardent requests. I now have at least 3 different copies of that album and even though it seems ridiculous, such is my obsession. Carcass have always been a band unlike any other. They share influences with other bands and are a product of what was a very exciting time for metal music in the early 90’s, but they have always held their own quietly and without a hint of pretence despite them being one of the most iconic bands in recent history that fans love returning to again and again.

Carcass as far as I’m concerned are on a pedestal and I was quite apprehensive as well as overwhelmingly excited when they revealed they would be making a return with a new album and accompanying live dates. My fear was that they would just regurgitate all that had come before, or that they would have forgotten about the essence of Carcass and their accessible grandeur. Another fear was that they would fall into the ‘faster than thou’ mentality that occupies the death metal genre nowadays; not that it is a problem, it just wouldn’t be Carcass. Everyone I spoke to wanted the new album to remind them why they still maintained their affection for Carcass. They didn’t want that affection to become shameful if the band released something half arsed and conformist; although we need never have been afraid of that.

As soon as the artwork for the new album was released, I knew that Carcass were going to deliver the goods with Surgical Steel. The perfect circle of surgical instruments on the cover was both subtle and shocking; something that Carcass are masters at and it is with that mentality that I approached my listening.

The album begins with the trademark Carcass guitar harmonies and a ringing solo over the top that draws you slowly in only to be thrown back by the aggressive and impressive Thrashers Abbatoir. This song is pure Carcass, but not only that, it is Carcass grown up and this impression shapes the feel of the whole album. It is surgical in its precision and beautifully crafted with all the necessary elements of a Carcass formula, that is enticing vocal hooks, full bodied guitar harmonies and just the right amount of technicality without being silly.

Any self-respecting guitarist would be impressed by the solos in Cadaver Pouch Conveyer System and frankly, they’re enough to make you sick with jealousy. It reminded me a lot in its technicality and youth of Children of Bodom’s Something Wild where the guitars are used as more than accompanying instruments. They are pushed to the foreground and speak as frequently and in the same tone as the growled, hoarse vocals of Jeff Walker. Incidentally, Jeff’s vocals have not altered at all over the years and therein lies another boon for the album. It is as if he has stepped out of a time machine, and his growl is one of the most recognised in death metal. He is both perfectly articulated and full of malice and his great appeal for a lot of people is that you can actually follow what he is saying very easily.

The Master Butcher’s Apron with its ringing guitar harmonies, impeccable drumming and thick chugging riffs is one of my favourite on the album and is a display again of Carcass’s maturity, musical ability and incredible talent for song writing. There is variety without being random and a real sense that Carcass as a collective enjoyed making the album and that they don’t need to prove anything to anyone.

The track Noncompliance to ASTM F 899-12 Standard stampedes away and shows odd extremely impressive guitar work even further and expresses musical prowess that imitators can only dream of. Carcass are undoubtedly a set of formidable musicians and the originality of their music and song writing as progressed as much as they have, although it still retains that remarkable and age defying feel they exposed us all to during the early 90’s and their subsequent releases.

A surprising track on the album and very revealing of Carcass’s talents is the ultimate track on the album: Mount of Execution that makes use of acoustic guitars in its introduction and offers something of a remarkable contrast and display of musical ability. The latter half of the song is intense and full of menace. Jeff’s vocals really add a sense of terror that when coupled with the chugging guitars and ridiculously articulate guitar solos form a sound that we die-hard Carcass fans have been longing for over the years.

Overall, Surgical Steel is extremely impressive and worthy of all the hype it has been given. It is something of a legend and Carcass are a remarkable band for delivering so completely to a legion of fans with such high expectations. It is enjoyable, accessible and doesn’t saddle itself with a crippling narrative or unnecessary embellishment. It is just a representation of all that Carcass are and it displays all of the band’s best qualities in the best possible way. They could have easily taken the formulas of their previous releases and rehashed them, but they didn’t. They improved themselves and injected maturity as well as a compassion for their fan base into their work in order to deliver something that is true to the heart of Carcass and cannot be imitated; no matter how hard we try.

If you haven’t already got yourself a ticket for the Damnation festival in Leeds, I strongly suggest that you do so, or face missing out on an event that all of your friends will be talking about for years to come. Carcass leave a distinct impression when they play live as they articulate their albums perfectly and show off their talents almost to the point of obscenity and only a fool would willingly miss such a display of power. If in doubt, pick up a copy of Surgical Steel and have a taste of what can only be described as a monumental album.

5/5

Alex Cook

Carcass online:

Carcass talk about “Surgical Steel” artwork (valkyrianmusic.com)
Carcass post third track-by-track trailer (valkyrianmusic.com)

Five reasons why you must go to Damnation 2013!

Posted in Editorial/Opinionated with tags Carcass, Cult of Luna, Damnation, damnation festival, Katatonia, Leeds, Leeds University Union, Rotting Christ, Vallenfyre, West Yorkshire, Yorkshire on 3rd October 2013 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

It’s under a month now until 2013’s edition of the UK’s darkest festival Damnation tears Leeds a new one, so Valkyrian Music editor and general Yorkshire patriot Nico Davidson has listed five reasons why you must attend Damnation 2013.

5. Yorkshire!

As you already know, Damnation is hosted in Leeds, West Yorkshire which is another reason that Yorkshire is the best county in all of the UK and of course, Yorkshire has contributed a bit to the history of metal, which pioneering bands such as My Dying Bride and Paradise Lost hailing from Yorkshire, as well as NWOBHM Saxon. Throw in Damnation into the mix and Yorkshire is definitely one of the most metal places in the UK.

If you’re unsure why Yorkshire is great or metal as fuck, then you’re probably a Lancastrian.

4. Value For Money

Given the epic line-up that is gracing this year’s Damnation, which festival director Gavin McInally described as “the best line-up so far”, the event offers a damn lot more for your money than a lot of UK events – Especially at £34 a ticket!

3. The Fourth Stage

So, unless you’ve been living in a hole or under a rock in the middle of Lancashire, you’ll be aware that this year, Damnation has added a fourth stage, which will be a blasphemous temple dedicated to doom and sludge, which means more kick ass bands to go see. Or less bands if doom and sludge aren’t your cup of tea, but they’re mostly likely are.

2. Probably The Heaviest Festival In The UK

Yeah, I said it. Damnation is probably the heaviest festival in the UK, as well as being the darkest. Anyone who’s ever been to Damnation before knows exactly what to expect but if a Damnation virgin and love your music heavy and dark, then this year’s edition is not one to miss! Plus, with it being held in Yorkshire, what more could you ask for… Aside from…

1. Carcass!

So, Carcass recently released their new album, Surgical Steel via Nuclear Blast. So, that means there’ll be a lot of new material as classic tunes that they’ll be blasting out as they lay unholy waste to the Jagermeister stage this year. Of course, if Carcass aren’t your thing then there’s other bands you can get hyped up about, but we’ll discuss that in another article.

Damnation Festival will take place on 2nd November at Leeds University Union. Tickets are priced at the low price of £34 and are available at this location.

Seven new bands announced for Damnation 2013 plus additional fourth stage (valkyrianmusic.com)
Final bands announced for Damnation 2013 (valkyrianmusic.com)
Damnations Day – Invisible, The Dead (wyrdways.wordpress.com)
Five reasons you must go to Damnation 2013! (valkyrianmusic.com)

3 Comments »

Carcass talk about “Surgical Steel” artwork

Posted in News with tags Carcass, death'n'roll, grind, grindcore, Nuclear Blast, Surgical Steel on 19th September 2013 by Pieni

“Surgical Steel”, Carcass‘ sixth album and first in 17 years, has been released last week and their label Nuclear Blast asked singer/guitarist Bill Steer and drummer Daniel Wilding about its arwork. Watch here what they had to say:

Produced by Colin Richardson and mixed/mastered by Andy Sneap, here’s the track-list of such long-awaited album:
01. 1985
02. Thrasher’s Abattoir
03. Cadaver Pouch Conveyor System
04. A Congealed Clot Of Blood
05. The Master Butcher’s Apron
06. Noncompliance to ASTM F 899-12 Standard
07. The Granulating Dark Satanic Mills
08. Unfit For Human Consumption
09. 316L Grade Surgical Steel
10. Captive Bolt Pistol
11. Mount Of Execution
12. Intensive Battery Brooding (digipack bonus track)

You can order “Surgical Steel” at these locations:
CD – http://smarturl.it/CARCASS-SSTEEL
iTunes – http://smarturl.it/CARCASS-SS-ITUNES
White Vinyl – http://smarturl.it/carcass-white-vinyl

Carcass online:
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialCarcass
https://twitter.com/CarcassBand

http://facebook.com/officialcarcass

Carcass post third track-by-track trailer

Posted in News with tags Bill Steer, Captive Bolt Pistol, Carcass, Dan Wilding, Nuclear Blast on 11th September 2013 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

British extreme legends Carcass have posted their third track-by-track trailer for their new album Surgical Steel. Watch guitarist Bill Steer and drummer Dan Wilding explain the songwriting process for Unfit For Human Consumption, 316L Grade Surgical Steel, Captive Bolt Pistol and Mount Of Execution down below.

Surgical Steel is set for release next week on 16th September in the UK and 17^th September in North America and later this week in the rest of Europe on 13^th September.

Carcass online:

Carcass – Surgical Steel second part of track-by-track now online (valkyrianmusic.com)
Carcass post Part 1 of Track-By-Track Videos (valkyrianmusic.com)
Carcass release lyric video for Captive Bolt Pistol (valkyrianmusic.com)

http://facebook.com/officialcarcass

Carcass – Surgical Steel second part of track-by-track now online

Posted in News with tags Andy Sneap, ASTM International, Bill Steer, Carcass, Dan Wilding, Ken Owen, Master Butcher, Steel, Surgical Steel on 4th September 2013 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

British extreme legends Carcass have now made their second track-by-track for Surgical Steel available for viewing online. Watch guitarist Bill Steer and drummer Dan Wilding explain the songwriting process for The Master Butcher’s Apron, Noncompliance to ASTM F 899-12 Standard and The Granulating Dark Satanic Mills below.

Surgical Steel will be released on 16^th September in the UK, the rest of Europe on 13^th September and 17^th September in North America.

Carcass online:

Carcass post Part 1 of Track-By-Track Videos (valkyrianmusic.com)

Carcass post Part 1 of Track-By-Track Videos

Posted in News with tags Bill Steer, Captive Bolt Pistol, Carcass, damnation festival, Nuclear Blast, September, Steel, Surgical Steel, Swansong on 21st August 2013 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

British extreme legends Carcass have made their first track-by-track video available, which breaks down every song on their upcoming album Surgical Steel. You can watch guitarist Bill Steer and drummer Dan Wilding, below, explain the songwriting process for songs like 1985, Thrasher’s Abattoir, Cadaver Pouch Conveyor System and A Congealed Clot Of Blood down below.

Surgical Steel is scheduled for release on 16^th September in the UK via Nuclear Blast, 17^th September in North America and 13^th September in the rest of Europe. Surgical Steel is Carcass‘s first release since the release of Swansong in 1996, almost 20 years ago.

Carcass are also headlining the main stage at this year’s Damnation Festival in Leeds on 2nd November. Tickets are available from this location.

Carcass online:

Carcass release lyric video for Captive Bolt Pistol (valkyrianmusic.com)

http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCarcass

Carcass release lyric video for Captive Bolt Pistol

Posted in News, Uncategorized with tags ASTM International, Captive Bolt Pistol, Carcass, Extreme Metal, Master Butcher, Steel, Surgical stainless steel on 13th August 2013 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

UK extreme metal legends Carcass recently released the lyric video for their new single Captive Bolt Pistol, which is taken from their upcoming album Surgical Steel. The album is set for release on 16^th September in the UK, 13^th September in the rest of Europe and 17^th September in North America. The lyric video for Captive Bolt Pistol can be viewed below.

Surgical Steel track list:

01. 1985
02. Thrasher’s Abattoir
03. Cadaver Pouch Conveyor System
04. A Congealed Clot Of Blood
05. The Master Butcher’s Apron
06. Noncompliance to ASTM F 899-12 Standard
07. The Granulating Dark Satanic Mills
08. Unfit For Human Consumption
09. 316L Grade Surgical Steel
10. Captive Bolt Pistol
11. Mount Of Execution
12. Intensive Battery Brooding (BONUS TRACK – only available on the digipak version)

Carcass online:

Carcass confirmed to tour Europe with Amon Amarth

Posted in News with tags Amon Amarth, Carcass, Deceiver of the Gods, Germany, Nuclear Blast, Oberhausen, Paris, Surgical Steel, Sweden, Viking on 13th June 2013 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Kings of the British extreme metal scene Carcass have been confirmed to tour Europe with Sweden’s favourite Viking-themed death metal band Amon Amarth. Carcass bassist and vocalist Jeff Walker comments:

We are extremely happy and flattered to have been invited by the mighty Amon Amarth on their forthcoming raids upon the fatherland and it’s borders. Carcass has not played a club tour in Germany for TWENTY YEARS!!! Yes I repeat TWENTY YEARS! This is gonna be great with both bands playing songs from their new killer albums Deceiver of The Gods and Surgical Steel! Anglo-Nordic Death Metal über Deutschland!

Tour dates are as follow:

November
7 – Oberhausen, Germany – Turbinen Halle
8 – Tilburg, Netherlands – O13
9 – Osnabrück, Germany – Hyde Park
10 – Brussels, Belgium – AB Hall
18 – Paris, France – Olympia
19 – Ludwigsburg, Germany – Arena
20 – Wiesbaden, Germany – Schlachthof
22 – Zürich, Switzerland – Komplex
23 – München, Germany – Kesselhaus
24 – Trezzo Sull’Adda (Milano), Italy – Live Club
27 – Berlin, Germany – Columbiahalle
28 – Leipzig, Germany – Haus Auensee
29 – Hamburg, Germany – Docks

Carcass recently signed to Nuclear Blast for a world-wide deal – excluding Japan – with the new album Surgical Steel to be release potentially in autumn.

Carcass online:

Amon Amarth release final segment of mini-doctumentary: Forging Mjölnir (valkyrianmusic.com)
Amon Amarth – Deceiver of the Gods (valkyrianmusic.com)
Amon Amarth post first part of mini-documentary: Forging Mjölnir (valkyrianmusic.com)
Second part of Amon Amarth’s three-part mini-documentary, Forging Mjölnir, now online (valkyrianmusic.com)
Amon Amarth release trailer for threee-part documentary; Forgining Mjölnir (valkyrianmusic.com)

UK metal legends Carcass sign to Nuclear Blast for worldwide deal

Posted in Featured, News with tags Andy Sneap, Bolt Thrower, Carcass, Jeff Walker, Jeffrey Walker, Ken Owen, Nuclear Blast, Surgical Steel on 23rd May 2013 by Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet

Disinterred British extreme metal legends Carcass have signed to Nuclear Blast Records for the world – excluding Japan. Surgical Steel, the band’s first studio release since their 1996 LP Swansong, was produced by Colin Richardson (Naplam Death, Bolt Thrower, Gorefest, Cannibal Corpse) and mixed/mastered by Andy Sneap (Megadeth, Accept, Exodus, Testament). Joining guitarist Bill Steer and bassist/vocalist Jeff Walker in the band’s current incarnation are new drummer Dan Wilding (Aborted, Trigger The Bloodshed) and guitarist Ben Ash (Pig Iron, Desolation, Liguefied Skeleton). Expect some guest vocals from original sticksman Ken Owen as well, when Surgical Steel is released world-wide this Autumn.

Carcass has released the following statement regarding their new found partners in medical deviancy:

We are pleased to announce that we have found the perfect home for Surgical Steel, the first Carcass album for, what, eighteen years?! We’ve inked a deal with Nuclear Blast for our new baby.

We have to thank Markus Staiger for his enthusiasm and belief in what he heard, but mostly his ability to take advantage of Jeff with a bad hangover when he visited the office in Stuttgart to let him be the first to hear the rough mixes. Nuclear Blast has managed to secure this release despite interest from all the main players in what remains of the metal ‘music industry’.

We’re also looking forward to working with our pals in the US Office, who have done favours for us behind the scenes over the last few years. On a personal note, Jeff looks forward to his and label manager Gerardo Martinez‘ friendship to come crashing down in flames and tears in a few months.

As long as we don’t mention ‘The War’ we think we’re going to do just fine with our new Teutonic home!

Nuclear Blast owner and founder Markus Staiger commented:

One of my all-time favourite UK Metal Bands signed recently to Nuclear Blast – it feels like a dream come true. When Jeff Walker let me listen to the new record I knew immediately that Carcass made one of their best albums ever! It is a perfect mixture of Heartwork and Necroticism with a massive production to boot. The album is without a doubt just as perfect and lethal as surgical steel itself, and exactly what both old and new fans have waited for eagerly all of these years!
I am very proud to say, Carcass – welcome to the Nuclear family. It is an honour to work with this legendary metal band.

North American label manager Gerardo Martinez adds:

First of all, apologies to the many that were wondering where that signing statement was the other day. Well, we didn’t anticipate the prenuptial agreement to take this long but here we are, and about to release to the world what many people said would never happen: a new Carcass record!

All joking aside, this is a dream come true. All I can say is that even the biggest critic, Señor Walker himself included, will find this to be one of the best Carcass albums. It already sounds like a classic and I can’t wait for people to hear it. ‘Time to die, die in pain’!!!

Carcass has released several classic albums over the years, including Decibel Magazine “Hall of Fame” inductees Heartwork and Necroticism – Descanting the Insalubrious, and their influence has changed the face of extreme metal with every consecutive release. Whether it was inventing gore-grind (i.e. Reek of Putrefaction, Symphonies of Sickness) or creating the template for melodic death metal (i.e. Heartwork), Carcass has always made records by which bars were set and rules were broken. Upon the band’s dismantling in 1996, fans mourned the loss of the seminal act and longed that the group would return again one day. In 2007, the metal world got its wish as Carcass reformed to play several sold-out reunion shows around the globe. Once again re-motivated to administer a shot of cynicism and infectious riffs into the arm of a sickly metal scene, founding members Bill Steer and Jeff Walker began writing what would become the latest output of their highly influential career, Surgical Steel. Only the choicest of cuts were made, and blood sweat and tears were shed to bring us a record worthy of the Carcass legacy. In short, Surgical Steel is just what the doctor ordered.

Carcass festival appearances for 2013:
Maryland Deathfest (USA)
Metaltown (Sweden)
Brutal Assault (Czech)
Party San (Germany)
Damnation (UK)

Carcass online:

Hypocrisy – End of Disclosure (valkyrianmusic.com)
Black Star Riders discuss signing to Nuclear Blast (valkyrianmusic.com)
ReVamp announce release dates for second album (valkyrianmusic.com)