About this album
Where they were
Released in 1989, 'Symphonies of Sickness' was Carcass's second album, following their debut 'Reek of Putrefaction'. At this point, the band had begun to solidify their influence within the emerging death metal and grindcore scenes, showcasing a more refined sound while maintaining their hallmark gore-themed lyrics.
Why it matters
This album is often credited with pushing the boundaries of death metal and goregrind, contributing to the genre's evolution. Its graphic cover art and lyrical content sparked discussions about censorship and artistic expression, making it a landmark release in extreme music culture. The album has been celebrated in various lists of influential metal albums, highlighting its impact on subsequent bands.
Essential tracks
- "Exhume to Consume" — This track exemplifies Carcass's signature blend of speed and gruesome imagery, setting a high standard for both musicianship and thematic content in extreme metal.
- "Empathological Necroticism" — With intricate riffs and relentless pacing, this track showcases the band's technical prowess while exploring dark themes that would define their style.
- "Cadaveric Incubator of Endoparasites" — This song features some of the most grotesque lyrical imagery on the album, perfectly reflecting Carcass’s ethos while pushing musical boundaries in grindcore.
Release Date
January 1, 1989
Artist Origin
United Kingdom
Tracklist
- 1 Reek of Putrefaction 4:11
- 2 Exhume to Consume 3:51
- 3 Excoriating Abdominal Emanation 4:32
- 4 Ruptured in Purulence 4:11
- 5 Empathological Necroticism 5:45
- 6 Embryonic Necropsy and Devourment 5:13
- 7 Swarming Vulgar Mass of Infected Virulency 3:10
- 8 Cadaveric Incubator of Endoparasites 3:24
- 9 Slash Dementia 3:23
- 10 Crepitating Bowel Erosion 5:27
- 11 Genital Grinder 1:25
- 12 Regurgitation of Giblets 1:22
- 13 Maggot Colony 1:37
- 14 Pyosisified (Rotten to the Core) 2:54
- 15 Vomited Anal Tract 1:43
- 16 Fermenting Innards 2:33
- 17 Excreted Alive 1:20
- 18 Suppuration 2:19
- 19 Foeticide 2:44
- 20 Feast on Dismembered Carnage 1:25
- 21 Splattered Cavities 1:53
- 22 Psychopathologist 1:17
- 23 Burnt to a Crisp 2:40
- 24 Pungent Excruciation 2:30
- 25 Oxidised Razor Masticator 3:11
- 26 Malignant Defecation 2:16
