Carcass is recognized as pioneers in the grindcore genre. Their early work was also associated with tags like "splatter death metal" and "hardgore," owing to their macabre lyrics and gruesome album covers. Moreover, their 1993 album Heartwork contributed to their status as pioneers of melodic death metal.
The band frequently explores animal rights issues in their lyrics, and some members follow vegetarian or vegan lifestyles.
Studio albums
Reek of Putrefaction (1988)
Symphonies of Sickness (1989)
Necroticism - Descanting the Insalubrious (1991)
Heartwork (1993)
Swansong (1996)
Surgical Steel (2013)
Torn Arteries (2021)
Heartwork
Carcass Lyrics
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Magniloquent, bleeding dark
Monotonous palate, murky spectrum, grimly unlimited
Food for thought, so prolific
In contrasting shades, forcely fed
Abstraction, so choking, so provocative
A canvas to paint, to degenerate
A canvas to paint, to denigrate
Dark reflections, of dark foul light
Profound, aesthetic beauty
Or shaded, sensary corruption
Perceptions, shattered, splintered, mirroring
In deft taints, diluted, tinted
Spelt out, in impaired colour
Denigrating, going to paints to pain, not a pretty picture
Works of heart bleeding dark
Black, magniloquent art
Monotonous palate, murky spectrum, grimly unlimited
Prolific food for thought
Contrasting, fed with force
Abstraction, so choking, so provocative
Bleeding works of art
Seething work so dark
Seering words from the heart
Carcass's song "Heartwork" is a commentary on the nature of art and the portrayal of darker themes. The opening line "Works of art, painted black" sets the tone for what is to follow. The lyrics describe art that is both magniloquent and bleeding dark. The palette used in these works is a monotonous and murky spectrum, that is grimly unlimited. The artist's intention is to provoke thought in their audience, force-feeding them contrasting shades, abstraction and imagery that is so choking and provocative that it is hard to look away.
Carcass is challenging us to question how we perceive and define art. Are these paintings and works of art beautiful or corrupted? The lyrics suggest that our preconceived notions of what art is and what it should be are being shattered and splintered. The images portrayed are impaired with colour, diluting their essence and making them difficult to understand. The song includes the lines "A canvas to paint, to degenerate / Dark reflections, degeneration" and "A canvas to paint, to denigrate / Dark reflections, of dark foul light." These lines emphasize that the artist is using their medium to challenge the status quo and shine a light on the darker aspects of life, even if it's not a pretty picture.
Line by Line Meaning
Works of art, painted black
The art is dark and ominous in nature.
Magniloquent, bleeding dark
The art speaks volumes and is dark in nature.
Monotonous palate, murky spectrum, grimly unlimited
The color scheme is limited and bleak, lacking variety.
Food for thought, so prolific
The art is thought-provoking and prolific in nature.
In contrasting shades, forcely fed
The art is full of contrasting elements, forcefully presented.
Abstraction, so choking, so provocative
The abstract nature of the art is overwhelming and provocative.
A canvas to paint, to degenerate
The canvas is used to showcase degenerate themes and ideas.
Dark reflections, degeneration
The art shows dark reflections and themes of decay.
A canvas to paint, to denigrate
The canvas is used to mock and belittle.
Dark reflections, of dark foul light
The art showcases dark themes and imagery.
Profound, aesthetic beauty
The art presents a beautiful, yet profound message.
Or shaded, sensary corruption
Alternatively, the art presents corrupt themes and imagery.
Perceptions, shattered, splintered, mirroring
The art shatters and splinters expectations in its reflective nature.
In deft taints, diluted, tinted
The colors are used in a skilled, diluted manner.
Spelt out, in impaired colour
The art is presented in a way that is not traditionally seen as beautiful.
Denigrating, going to paints to pain, not a pretty picture
The art denigrates and depicts painful themes, not typically pleasing to the eye.
Works of heart bleeding dark
The art is created from a place of deep emotion and darkness.
Black, magniloquent art
The art is bold, dark, and evocative in nature.
Seething work so dark
The art is intense and foreboding.
Seering words from the heart
The art contains powerful emotions from the artist's heart.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEFFREY WALKER, MICHAEL AMOTT, WILLIAM GEOFFREY STEER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind