Live Review: Carcass, Tortured

Any death metal act would have sold their Deicide vinyls for a crack at this coveted opening slot, and Tortured revelled in the opportunity afforded them. A gradually growing throng gathered for the nation's capital outfit; their gruesome, although rather nondescript Cannibal Corpse-channelling groove had some heads nodding approval.

Having blazed their trail for more than two decades, Carcass is now reaping the dividends of a hard-earned legacy while crafting vital music that only enhances said reputation. The self-proclaimed “Pommy bastards” are a different proposition compared to their previous visit during the initial reunion jaunt a half-decade ago, and not only because of Mike Amott and Daniel Erlandsson moving on. They also have a cracking latest album (Surgical Steel) from which to pillage. It's a testament to the quality of said material that they could open with two bona fide death metal classics (Buried Dreams, Incarnated Solvent Abuse) before effortlessly segueing into new choice cuts without the latter seeming misplaced. Taut to a fault, aside from leaning heavily on melodic landmark Heartwork, Carcass also touched upon their grindcore origins, along with the somewhat unfairly maligned Swansong and infectious Keep On Rotting In The Free World, complete with Black Star intro teaser.  

The ideal foil for long-time axeman Bill Steer, frontman Jeff Walker's still-potent snarl was matched by a snarky wit, diatribes ranging from pondering how many punters who attended their first Australian tour in 1993 were now deceased, to the current crop of over-produced extreme metal acts. A standout was a hilarious bait-and-switch, the bassist dead-panning, “Who wants to hear some old stuff?” before announcing The Granulating Dark Satanic Mills from their latest LP instead. Heartwork's title track concluded a blisteringly triumphant return before an appreciative, packed room. Now, go study those medical textbooks and give us another record lads.