This three-song extended play shows the real transitional phase of of Carcass, who changed from a grindcore (goregrind) band into (melodic) death metallers, and again into a death 'n' roll band, in period of five albums. To fans' annoyance, or perhaps not. I personally more or less enjoy each of the band's first run's albums.

So, 1993's 'Heartwork' was pioneering melodic death metal album, and the swansong album 'Swansong' three years later was about rocking death metal, or something like that. This EP features, as its title reads, the title song 'Heartwork' in its original form. It is a classic, pivotal piece in the band's melodic stage. From blast beats to slow churning, everything about this song is catchy (its music video was spun quite often on MTV). Ken Owen's drumming is filled with cymbal tricks, thanks to studio personnel, plus he had his own recognizable style. Heck, every guy here had his own style! Jeff Walker's snotty, rotten throat voice and juggernaut bass guitar tone to bluesy guitar playing of Bill Steer against Michael Amott's surgical precision metal-ism. Them building blocks made Carcass in 1993, and they sounded fucking unique. Once again. It was tighter than before, and it sounded precisely engineered; it's a great composition, and the band had groove and punch.

'This Is Your Life' and 'Rot 'n' Roll' were special only for this release for close to three years before they appeared on 'Wake Up and Smell the... Carcass' compilation in November 1996. The guitar tracks were limited to two, left and right. Gone was the true bulldozing heaviness of the yore, but the new sound wasn't exactly "hard rock". There's loads of crunch and bite, so it definitely isn't fluffy, but it certainly sounds warmer than ever before. The riffs clearly still are continuation, evolution, to old stuff, but there are more simplistic palm muted playing in. The guitar solos remind me of Megadeth since 'Countdown to Extinction' (it came out in 1992, so perhaps it was an inspiration). Back in the day I thought they just did a couple of simplified songs for fun and this was the place to put them out. I never would have believed it was actually their new style.

Nowadays 'The Heartwork EP' is solely for Carcass collectors. I like when this kind of once-rare songs can be found on compilations or reissues, because my purse would be empty as pauper's. The silver print on the cover looks pretty, at least.

P.S. The score is based on the original release date.

Rating: 8½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
01/17/2023 16:41