CARCASS
+ The Black Dahlia Murder & Freedom Of Fear, Live at The Princess Theatre.
One of the first records I ever purchased was a Carcass / Godflesh split: ‘Grind Madness’ - The Earache Peel Sessions. It was my first introduction to Grind and at 17 the appeal of blown-out brains on an album cover was enough to convince me to bring it home. Both bands have remained on rotation since that day. Thank you Soundworks touring for having me along!
I seem to love anything that comes out of Liverpool. Echo & The Bunnymen, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Grindcore legends, CARCASS.
Carcass was born in the industrial heartland of Liverpool in the mid-1980s, a time when the world was still reeling from the aftershocks of punk rock and the burgeoning thrash metal scene. Founded by guitarist Bill Steer and drummer Ken Owen, the band's early sound was a cacophony of chaos—a sonic assault on the senses that defied categorization and pushed the boundaries of what was deemed acceptable in the world of heavy music.
Their early albums, "Reek of Putrefaction" and "Symphonies of Sickness," were raw, unfiltered expressions of youthful rebellion, characterized by their blistering speed, guttural vocals, and macabre lyrical themes. But it was with the release of "Necroticism – Descanting the Insalubrious" that Carcass truly began to come into their own, incorporating elements of melody and complexity into their brutal sound. It was around this time that tragedy struck the band, as founding member Ken Owen suffered a debilitating brain hemorrhage that left him unable to perform.
Despite this loss, Carcass soldiered on, recruiting new members and continuing to push the boundaries of extreme metal with albums like "Heartwork" and "Swansong."
"Heartwork" in particular stands as a watershed moment in the band's career—a masterpiece of melody and aggression that remains one of the most influential death metal albums of all time. With its razor-sharp riffs, infectious hooks, and thought-provoking lyrics, "Heartwork" catapulted Carcass to international fame and cemented their status as legends of the genre.
The Princess Theatre is a venue I haven’t shot as frequently, therefore it automatically makes it more exciting. I feel the atmosphere of such a beautiful venue lends itself to the show experience, 10-fold, and seeing heavy music played in an elevated space is such a treat.
When they came to play, each song was a journey, from the visceral intensity of "Incarnated Solvent Abuse" to the haunting melodies of "This Mortal Coil." The band's performance was raw and unrelenting, a testament to their decades of experience and unwavering passion for their craft.
Highlights of the night included classics like "Heartwork" and "Corporal Jigsore Quandary," as well as newer tracks like "Under the Scalpel Blade" and "316L Grade Surgical Steel." With each song, Carcass transported us to another realm, where the boundaries of reality melted away and all that mattered was the GRIND.
I loved seeing a band so comfortable on stage, so seasoned at their craft and so seemingly present - from their interaction with me as a photographer, to their stage banter, I basked in this show and its brutal glory. You can tell that Carcass is fully in the game to this day, really proving why they are still relevant. Bill Steer is a true pioneer…his guitar influence is definitive of the early scene….truly influential and a True Tone Master….It was brilliant to witness his artistry so close + to walk away with one of his beautiful blue picks, Blue Sunday, Blue Bill Steer Pick (handshaking emoji).
As the encore began with "Exhume to Consume" and "Reek of Putrefaction," I found myself lost in the moment once again, swept away by the sheer intensity of it all.
Founded in 2001 in Waterford, Michigan, The Black Dahlia Murder has solidified its place as one of the most prominent acts in the melodic death metal genre. Over the years, the band has undergone several lineup changes, with the current formation featuring frontman Trevor Strnad, guitarists Brian Eschbach and Brandon Ellis, bassist Max Lavelle, and drummer Alan Cassidy.
Their music, characterized by ferocious riffs, blistering solos, and Strnad's distinctive growls, creates a visceral experience that is both exhilarating and unrelenting. Drawing inspiration from horror themes and macabre imagery, their style blends elements of death metal, thrash, and melodic sensibilities, resulting in a sound that is uniquely theirs.
The setlist for the night featured a combination of classics and newer tracks, showcasing the band's evolution while staying true to their roots. Kicking off with "Verminous," the title track from their latest album, the band wasted no time in setting the tone for the evening. The crowd erupted into a frenzy as they launched into fan favorites like "What a Horrible Night to Have a Curse" and "Statutory Ape," the intensity of their performance never faltered.
Tracks like "Carbonized in Cruciform" and "On Stirring Seas of Salted Blood" demonstrated the band's technical prowess, with intricate guitar work and relentless drumming driving the songs forward. Amidst the chaos, moments of melodic respite were found in songs like "Sunless Empire" and "Nightbringers," showcasing the band's ability to weave melody into their brutal sound seamlessly.
FREEDOM OF FEAR
opened the night with intensity and driving force. The Melbourne band was met with a great reception as the early crowd supported the metal locals.
The grudge vibes were strong as the screaming vocalist moved around the stage in an elegantly grudge-like way, a curtain of hair acting as a veil of privacy while the group tore up the stage glittery guitars and all.
