Gazinwales Top 50 Albums - v. #26 bitter metallic side...

[wolfking]

This album gets fellated all over DTF, but poor Gaz puts the thing in his Top 50 and gets nothing but grief.

I thought that same thing truthfully after a couple posts after mine. 

I'll try and find some time to try this one again though.

[The Realm]

Well yes, I also feel for Gaz on this one. IMO - 2 absolutely awesome albums proceeded this one and I even gave A Pleasant Shade of Grey a listen yesterday but sorry, still can't fully grasp the vibe. Just something missing from it.

[jingle.boy]

I'm kinda with Kwiji here.  Can't say I adored it, but it didn't suck.  It's just there.  A little to dreary and melancholic for my liking.

[wolfking]

I'm going to find my copy tonight.  I'm determined.

[gazinwales]

All good here, I knew this would start some banter, and I fully expect a few more choices to be just as polarising 

[wolfking]

All good here, I knew this would start some banter, and I fully expect a few more choices to be just as polarising 

Can't wait.

[jingle.boy]

All good here, I knew this would start some banter, and I fully expect a few more choices to be just as polarising 

I'm now expecting some Blaze-era Iron Maiden.

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

All good here, I knew this would start some banter, and I fully expect a few more choices to be just as polarising 

I'm now expecting some Blaze-era Iron Maiden.

I was thinking Prototype or Cold Lake from Celtic Frost 

[gazinwales]

Or VHIII, The Elder, Q2K...

[Stadler]

Or VHIII, The Elder, Q2K...

HAHAHA, that's funny, how you lumped in The Elder with those other records.   

(I'm a big fan of The Elder).

[gazinwales]

So am I, it's my fave Kiss record, but I know it's hated by many 

[wolfking]

I gave APSOG a spin yesterday and I actually really enjoyed it.  This was not how I remembered it at all.  Love the atmosphere and darker undertones of it.  It flew by too so no issue with the length.  It's actually a great warm up for Disconnected too.  Keen to spin it again.

[gazinwales]

34.
Carcass
Heartwork
Melodic Death Metal

Earache Records 1993

1   Buried Dreams   3:59
2   Carnal Forge   3:55
3   No Love Lost   3:22
4   Heartwork   4:33
5   Embodiment   5:37
6   This Mortal Coil   3:50
7   Arbeit Macht Fleisch   4:22
8   Blind Bleeding The Blind   4:57
9   Doctrinal Expletives   3:39
10   Death Certificate   3:39

Band line up

Bill Steer – lead guitar
Ken Owen – drums
Jeff Walker – bass, vocals
Michael Amott – lead guitar

Heartwork is Carcass 4th studio album released in 1993, although I knew the name I'd never actually heard them until I popped this CD in my stereo all those years ago.
There was a lot of hype around this album, I think Kerrang! magazine were praising it to the rooftops, giving it 5/5, so naturally I was intrigued to find if this was really that good.

If 'Images and Words' is the progmetal blueprint and genre defining album, then this album is the record that launched the melodic death metal movement and to this day still stands tall looking down upon everything that has followed. Yes this album is that good!

What makes it so good then? The riffs, the songs, the melodies, the lyrics, the production? That's a big hell yeah to all of those elements that make's 'Heartwork' so special.

This album also changed my opinion on what would become 'extreme music'. Before this album I'd never in a million years listen to anything with such harsh vocals and something this so damned heavy. Did I mention the crushing riffs already?
The Steer/Arnott guitar combination is menacing at any given moment, Walker's deep low growl's are a perfect foil for those colossal riffs, all this combined with some almost elegant melodies.

Some 27 years old now, but this album just never gets old, the mix and production still sounds amazing to my ears, it's hasn't aged one day since 1993.
Even if you don't like death metal, can't stand growling vocals, you really owe it to yourself to check this out as a metal head to experience some truly stunning Heartwork!

Buried Dreams https://youtu.be/TUzHxs5AA6c
Heartwork https://youtu.be/ZpbpOgUybBM
No Love Lost https://youtu.be/SioElynZx5s

[wolfking]

Now this album on board with.  Wonderful melodic death metal and indeed defined a genre.

Amott too. 

I actually haven't listened to this in a long time, should fix that.

[TAC]

I actually haven't listened to this in a long time, should fix that.

I actually haven't listened to this ever, should fix that.

[jingle.boy]

I actually haven't listened to this in a long time, should fix that.

I actually haven't listened to this ever, should fix that.

I actually haven't listened to this ever, no need to fix anything. 

[wolfking]

I actually haven't listened to this in a long time, should fix that.

I actually haven't listened to this ever, should fix that.

I actually haven't listened to this ever, no need to fix anything. 

Yeah, it's much too manly for you mate. 

[wolfking]

I actually haven't listened to this in a long time, should fix that.

I actually haven't listened to this ever, should fix that.

Not sure if you'd fully dig the vocals, but the guitar work you should enjoy considering Amott worships Schenker.

[TAC]

Not sure if you'd fully dig the vocals, but the guitar work you should enjoy considering Amott worships Schenker.

Just kistened to the first track, Buried Dreams on Spotify. Yeah, you can hear the influence in the solo.

Damn, Carnal Forge sounds like classic Flotsam & Jetsam!

[wolfking]

I'm about to chuck it on too. 

Come on Chad, join in!!

[wolfking]

Actually, playing it now, these vocals should actually be right up Tim's alley.

[gazinwales]

Just about to hit play myself, doing the weekly house cleaning to the ultimate death metal soundtrack 
BTW there are two songs not on that album from those sessions, 'This Is Your Life' and 'Rot'n'Roll' both are found on the 'The Heartwork EP'

[TAC]

Actually, playing it now, these vocals should actually be right up Tim's alley.

Yeah, no issue here. They're not that bad.

[wolfking]

Just about to hit play myself, doing the weekly house cleaning to the ultimate death metal soundtrack 
BTW there are two songs not on that album from those sessions, 'This Is Your Life' and 'Rot'n'Roll' both are found on the 'Heartwork EP'

This is a real time listening party!!! 

[wolfking]

Actually, playing it now, these vocals should actually be right up Tim's alley.

Yeah, no issue here. They're not that bad.

As I said, haven't listened to it for a long time.  I thought they were more 'death metal' style if you know what I mean.

Damn, that breakdown for Bill's solo in Carnal Forge is epic.  Lots of Schuldiner sounds there.

[The Realm]

Now this is a great album. Awesome. It’s also why I love these lists as they have a tendency to bring up albums I have nearly forgotten about or haven’t listened to in a long time. I’ll also have to give this a spin.

[wolfking]

That mid tempo groove of No Love Lost is just too good.

[gazinwales]

This is a pretty good vinyl rip of Heartwork, I have this FDR edition and it is an amazing sounding record.
https://youtu.be/JH1bcGpMAIg

[wolfking]

My edition is the 2008 dualdisc CD/DVD version with the bonus disc of demos. 

[wolfking]

There is so much early Soilwork in the sound of this album.

[gazinwales]

My edition is the 2008 dualdisc CD/DVD version with the bonus disc of demos. 

Yes I have this one too, those demo's are great, also have the CD original pressing and the FDR vinyl, all sound great.

[wolfking]

This album is a perfect length too and consistent throughout.  Amott and Steer were a great guitar duo too.

[jingle.boy]

I'm about to chuck it on too. 

Come on Chad, join in!!

Me, Jay and Paul will be fine hanging out in the other room, thankyouverymuch

[gazinwales]

Kalmah's cover of 'This Mortal Coil'
https://youtu.be/BbV7chxgOac

[Kwyjibo]

I actually haven't listened to this in a long time, should fix that.

I actually haven't listened to this ever, should fix that.

Me too