Wake Up and Smell the... Carcass Compilation, 1996

"First off, "Wake Up and Smell the... Carcass" is one of the friggin' best puns on "Wake up and smell the coffee" I've ever seen.

So what does this compilation have to offer? Firstly, there is a DVD included with various promo videos and live material. Secondly, the CD contains a number of tracks that were recorded during the "Swansong" sessions, but not included on that album. This means that these tracks can be considered originals. Of course, one might expect them to be sub par since they're essentially rejects from "Swansong", but I do not think they are any worse or any better than most of the other tracks one that album (although they do not quite reach "Keep On Rotting in the Free World" and "Tomorrow Belongs to Nobody" from "Swansong". These tracks, like the tracks on "Swansong" are more in the vein of traditional heavy metal, souped up with snarled vocals and down-tuned guitars, so if you belong to those Carcass fans who hate "Swansong" you might not like the first six tracks plus track nine.

Tracks 6-9 are from a Radio 1 Rock Show session, and "Buried Dreams" and "No Love Lost" are slightly different than the versions on "Heartwork" but still retain their melodic death metal feel, which also characterizes "Rot 'n' Roll".

The remaining tracks have been released on EPs and various grindcore compilations and are not as interesting - other than being good Carcass death metal and grindcore tracks.

I don't know whom exactly to recommend this compilation to. The most interesting tracks are the first original ones, but many Carcass fans are bound to dislike them. These track will probably appeal to fans of traditional heavy metal, but I doubt that these people will like the death metal and grindcore tracks towards the end of the album. If you consider yourself open-minded though, then you can safely purchase this album.

(review originally posted on metalmusicarchives.com)"