#1 · 1991
A pivot from grindcore to a more technical death metal approach, featuring complex structures and intense performances.
8 tracksEarache labelMultiple vinyl pressings1991 release
Artist page · 04/07/2026
Carcass
Carcass formed in Liverpool, UK in 1985, pioneering extreme metal subgenres including goregrind, grindcore, and melodic death metal, blending aggressive speed with technicality.
11Albums on Vinyles.com
1021Discogs releases
587kLast.fm listeners
About
Carcass, From Liverpool's grindcore roots to melodic death metal evolution.
11 official vinyl releases spanning goregrind to melodic death metal with original pressings highly sought in the collector's market.
Carcass emerged in Liverpool in 1985, initially delving into goregrind and grindcore with their first releases like "Reek of Putrefaction" and "Symphonies of Sickness." Founding members Jeff Walker and Bill Steer provided vocals and instrumentation, while the band evolved towards melodic death metal in subsequent albums. Notably, "Necroticism - Descanting the Insalubrious" marked a shift with more complex musicianship. "Heartwork" further refined their sound, leaning into death metal with melodic influences, becoming a foundational release for the style that would influence Scandinavian death metal.
The band later released "Swansong," exhibiting a more streamlined metal approach before disbanding.
Discography
Carcass — Discography
Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.
Nuclear Blast · 2021Torn Arteries
Studio
Nuclear Blast · 2013Surgical Steel
Studio
Earache · 1996Swansong
Studio
Earache · 1993Heartwork
Studio
Earache · 1991Necroticism - Descanting The Insalubrious
Studio
Earache · 1989Symphonies Of Sickness
Studio
Earache · 1988Reek Of Putrefaction
Studio
Studio album
Live / EP
Playlist
Signature tracks
The tracks that sum up Carcass's career.
01
Heartwork
Heartwork · 1993
02
1985
Surgical Steel · 2013
03
Buried Dreams
Heartwork · 1993
04
No Love Lost
Heartwork · 1993
05
Black Star
Swansong · 1996
06
Carnal Forge
Heartwork · 1993
07
This Mortal Coil
Heartwork · 1993
08
Keep On Rotting in the Free World
Swansong · 1996
The essentials
The 3 Carcass albums you absolutely need
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
#2 · 1993
Remastered edition of the pivotal album that ushered in a melodic death metal style, with tighter compositions and thicker sound.
10 tracksEarache labelRemastered 2022Gatefold edition
#3 · 1996
Their final studio album before initial breakup, mixing melodic death metal with groove elements, released on Earache.
12 tracksEarache labelOriginal 1996 UK pressingMultiple reissues
Go further
Artists similar to Carcass
Artists who share part of Carcass's musical DNA.
Collectors
For vinyl die-hards
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
Market values (source: Discogs)
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
Torn Arteries
Market position
i
Min price 16 €Max price 33 €
Average price
18,27 €
Only 86 copies for sale on Discogs
153 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Surgical Steel
Market position
i
Min price 22 €Max price 30 €
Average price
24,84 €
Only 39 copies for sale on Discogs
174 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Swansong
Market position
i
Min price 33 €Max price 100 €
Average price
42,50 €
Only 27 copies for sale on Discogs
273 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Necroticism - Descanting The Insalubrious
Market position
i
Min price 40 €Max price 70 €
Average price
69,48 €
Only 34 copies for sale on Discogs
501 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Symphonies Of Sickness
Market position
i
Min price 58 €Max price 88 €
Average price
60,00 €
Only 45 copies for sale on Discogs
917 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Heartwork
Market position
i
Min price 31 €Max price 100 €
Average price
78,30 €
Only 27 copies for sale on Discogs
460 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Notable pressings & editions
Face B
Side B: the hidden stories of Carcass
Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.
"Our songs use medical themes with technical terms, often with a sharp sense of humor."— Jeff Walker, vocalist
01Recording
Shift to melodic death metal on "Necroticism"
The 1991 album "Necroticism - Descanting the Insalubrious" featured guitarist Michael Amott joining Carcass as a second guitarist, contributing to a richer, more technical death metal sound while retaining grindcore elements.
02Studio
1993 "Heartwork" recording sessions
Recorded as their fourth album, "Heartwork" marked a stylistic shift with more melodic and less complex structures, influencing the Scandinavian death metal scene. Michael Amott left after this album, replaced by Mike Hickey for live shows.
03Band history
Upper parting before "Swansong" release
Bill Steer left Carcass before the release of 1996's "Swansong." The album was delayed due to artistic disagreements with a major label, leading the band to reclaim their recordings and release through Earache Records.
04Reunion
2007 reformation and festival appearances
Carcass officially reformed in October 2007, playing major festivals like Wacken Open Air in 2008 and Hellfest, but without original drummer Ken Owen due to health issues; he remained financially supported by the band.
05Vinyl Pressings
Original and limited Nuclear Blast pressings of "Torn Arteries"
"Torn Arteries," released in 2021 by Nuclear Blast, is available as original and limited edition LPs at 45 RPM pressed across USA and Europe, with catalog numbers 5369 and 27361 53681 respectively.
Records by Carcass
See all
Official store
Carcass merch
T-shirts, posters, accessories and limited editions.
Dossard
Dossard de Carcass - Heartwork - pour Indifférent - multicolore
9,99 €
Patch
Patch de Carcass - Heartwork - pour Unisexe - multicolore
5,99 €
Patch
Patch de Carcass - Heartwork - pour Unisexe - multicolore
5,99 €
T-Shirt
T-Shirt Manches courtes de Carcass - Heartwork - S à XXL - pour Homme - noir
19,99 €
T-Shirt
T-Shirt Manches courtes de Carcass - Heartwork - S à XXL - pour Homme - noir
19,99 €
FAQ
FAQ: Carcass on physical formats
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
When did Carcass form and where?
Carcass formed in 1985 in Liverpool, United Kingdom, becoming pioneers of extreme metal subgenres.
What genres does Carcass cover?
The band spans genres including goregrind, grindcore, death metal, melodic death metal, and death 'n' roll.
Which Carcass albums are key for vinyl collectors?
Essential vinyl includes "Necroticism - Descanting The Insalubrious" (1991), "Heartwork" remastered editions, and the original 1996 pressing of "Swansong."
Are there notable vinyl pressings of their latest albums?
Yes, "Torn Arteries" (2021) and "Surgical Steel" (2013) have multiple original and limited vinyl pressings, especially in Europe and the USA.
What is special about Carcass vinyl releases in France?
France offers official reissues of albums like "Necroticism", "Symphonies of Sickness", and "Swansong" on vinyl through collaborations and local distributors.
Where can I find rare Carcass vinyl editions?
Rare editions often come from original UK Earache pressings and limited European runs, which can surface on specialized vinyl marketplaces.
Do Carcass songs feature specific themes?
Their songs commonly feature medical themes using technical terminology combined with ironic or humorous undertones.
How does Carcass’s music fit into the broader metal scene?
Carcass helped define the goregrind and melodic death metal subgenres, influencing later bands in Scandinavia and globally.
Transparency
Sources & method
This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
- Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 04/07/2026