Surgical Steel (album)

Surgical Steel is the tenth full-length studio album by British extreme metal band Carcass. It was released on September 13, 2013, in Europe, September 16, 2013, in the United Kingdom, and September 17, 2013, in North America, through Nuclear Blast Records. It marks Carcass's first studio album release since Swansong in 1996, ending a 17-year hiatus.

The album title is a reference to the band's lyrical and thematic focus on medical procedures and anatomy, a characteristic feature of their earlier work. Surgical Steel represents a return to the band's more traditional death metal and goregrind sound, albeit with a modern production.

The recording of Surgical Steel involved a change in the band's lineup. Original drummer Ken Owen, having suffered a brain hemorrhage in 1999, did not fully return to the band, though he did contribute backing vocals to the album. Daniel Wilding replaced him on drums.

Surgical Steel was met with widespread critical acclaim, lauded for its musicianship, songwriting, and return to form. It received high ratings from numerous music publications and is often considered one of Carcass's best albums. Several songs from the album have become staples in Carcass's live performances.