CARCASS Signs With NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS

Reactivated British extreme metal legends CARCASS have inked a deal with Nuclear Blast Records for the release of their comeback album, "Surgical Steel". Due in the fall, the CD was mixed by Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, ACCEPT, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY) after the project's producer, Colin Richardson (FEAR FACTORY, MACHINE HEAD, NAPALM DEATH, SLIPKNOT, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE),quit the project two weeks into the mixing process. During a March 2013 concert at the Underworld in London, CARCASS bassist/vocalist Jeff Walker claimed that Richardson walked away from the mix in order to work on the new TRIVIUM album.

The first official photo of the new lineup of CARCASS can be seen below (courtesy of Adrian Erlandsson of Murder Mile Studios). Joining guitarist Bill Steer and Walker in the band's current incarnation are new drummer Dan Wilding (ABORTED, TRIGGER THE BLOODSHED) and guitarist Ben Ash (PIG IRON, DESOLATION, LIQUEFIED SKELETON).

CARCASS' first studio LP since 1996's "Swansong" will feature guest vocals from original sticksman Ken Owen.

CARCASS has released the following statement regarding their new found partners in medical deviancy: "We are pleased to announce that we have found the perfect home for 'Surgical Steel', the first CARCASS album for, what, seventeen years?!

"We've inked a deal with Nuclear Blast for our new baby. We have to thank Markus Staiger for his enthusiasm and belief in what he heard, but mostly his ability to take advantage of Jeff with a bad hangover when he visited the office in Donzdorf to let him be the first to hear the rough mixes.

"Nuclear Blast has managed to secure this release despite interest from all the main players in what remains of the metal 'music industry.' We're also looking forward to working with our pals in the U.S. office, who have done favors for us behind the scenes over the last few years.

"On a personal note, Jeff looks forward to his and label manager Gerardo Martinez' friendship to come crashing down in flames and tears in a few months. As long as we don't mention 'The War,' we think we're going to do just fine with our new Teutonic home!"

Commented Nuclear Blast owner and founder Markus Staiger: "One of my all-time favorite U.K. metal bands signed recently to Nuclear Blast. It feels like a dream come true.

"When Jeff Walker let me listen to the new record, I knew immediately that CARCASS made one of their best albums ever! It is a perfect mixture of 'Heartwork' and 'Necroticism' with a massive production to boot. The album is without a doubt just as perfect and lethal as surgical steel itself, and exactly what both old and new fans have waited for eagerly all of these years!

"I am very proud to say, CARCASS — welcome to the Nuclear family. It is an honor to work with this legendary metal band."

Adds Nuclear Blast North American label manager Gerardo Martinez: "First of all, apologies to the many that were wondering where that signing statement was the other day. Well, we didn't anticipate the prenuptial agreement to take this long, but here we are, and about to release to the world what many people said would never happen: a new CARCASS record!

"All joking aside, this is a dream come true. All I can say is that even the biggest critic, Señor Walker himself included, will find this to be one of the best CARCASS albums. It already sounds like a classic and I can’t wait for people to hear it. 'Time to die, die in pain'!!!"

In a recent interview with Chile's Radio Futuro, Walker stated about the new CARCASS CD: "We think we've made a good album, so it's gonna be very interesting when people get to hear the record. We can't wait to see what people think."

He continued: "It sounds like CARCASS. Even the drumming sounds like CARCASS. Everything about it… I think it's gonna shock people, how good it is. I think it's got all the elements that people like, yet it still sounds fresh. So that's all I can say, really, 'cause we don't really sound like any other band, and the fact that after 17 years, we wrote music and it still sounds like CARCASS, I think it's good."

Guitarist Michael Amott and drummer Daniel Erlandsson, who had been touring with CARCASS since the band's reunion was announced in 2007, are no longer involved with the group due to scheduling conflicts with their main band, ARCH ENEMY.

Fan-filmed video footage of CARCASS performing on May 4 at Neurotic Deathfest at 013 in Tilburg, The Netherlands can be seen below.

Photo credit: Adrian Erlandsson of Murder Mile Studios