Cannibal Corpse has unveiled a mammoth headlining tour across Europe. The tour commenced in Hengelo, Netherlands, on March 10th and will sweep through 15 countries, including five United Kingdom dates, before concluding at Nottingham, Rock City, United Kingdom, on April 23rd. The band is touring with Dark Funeral, Ingested, and Stormruler, making it an unmissable event for metal enthusiasts.
Cannibal Corpse is a highly regarded death metal ensemble hailing from Buffalo, New York, formed in 1988, that has garnered immense acclaim and wielded substantial impact within the extreme metal scene. The group consisted of Bob Rusay on guitar, Alex Webster on bass, and Paul Mazurkiewicz on drums, later enlisted Chris Barnes as their vocalist and Jack Owen as a guitarist.
Cannibal Corpse is acknowledged for their savage and radical music, as well as their controversial lyrics and album visuals. Despite the divisive reputation they hold, Cannibal Corpse has persevered as a staple of the extreme metal genre, and their influence is evident in countless groups that have emulated their style.
The group’s early musical output was distinguished by potent and fierce guitar licks and unrefined, guttural vocals that often explored themes of brutality, bloodshed, and mortality. Despite the polarizing nature of their lyrics and visuals, which drew criticism from certain quarters, the band cultivated a loyal following who were entranced by their unwavering brutality and musical prowess.
A prominent feature of Cannibal Corpse’s discography is the unwavering consistency of their sonic trademark throughout their journey. Despite experiencing several personnel changes and the departure of several crucial members, the group has maintained a unique sound that is instantly recognizable to their fanbase. This is primarily due to the input of Alex Webster, the band’s originator and bassist, whose elaborate basslines and virtuoso precision have played a pivotal role in molding the band’s musical identity.
Cannibal Corpse’s continuous success and acclaim can be largely attributed to their partnership with Metal Blade Records, a record label that has played an instrumental role in shaping the metal genre since it was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. Regarded as a major player in the metal scene, Metal Blade Records has fervently supported and championed many bands, including Cannibal Corpse. Metal Blade Records has been an essential catalyst in the growth and evolution of the extreme metal landscape, shaping the sonic and visual aspects of the genre. As a vanguard of the metal scene, the record label has steadfastly supported underground metal and independent artists, providing a platform for numerous bands to attain greater visibility and acclaim.
Following the signing of a contract with Metal Blade Records in 1990, the group unveiled their debut studio album, ‘Eaten Back to Life,’ which expeditiously established their reputation as a potent force in the underground metal circuit.
Cannibal Corpse’s early studio releases, including ‘Butchered at Birth’ (1991) and ‘Tomb of the Mutilated’ (1992), stirred significant uproar due to their starkly explicit lyrics and album artwork. Nonetheless, instead of impeding their rise, this uproar amplified their infamy, catapulting them to the upper echelons of acclaim and reverence within the death metal realm.
In 1995, Cannibal Corpse experienced a significant alteration in their lineup when lead singer Chris Barnes departed from the group to create his own project, Six Feet Under. Barnes played a vital role in the band’s early achievements, utilizing his distinctive singing technique and provocative lyrics to cement the band’s reputation as one of the most radical and contentious acts in the metal genre. Despite this setback, the band was able to rebound quickly and recruited George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher as their new frontman. Fisher’s distinctive vocal style and dynamic stage presence have since become an integral part of the band’s identity.
Admittedly, Chris Barnes is acknowledged as the groundbreaking frontman of Cannibal Corpse, whose unique vocal style and controversial lyrics were instrumental in boosting the band’s infamy as one of the boldest and most controversial acts in the extreme metal genre.
Chris Barnes was the founding lead singer of Cannibal Corpse, who contributed his unique vocal approach and provocative lyrics to establish the band as one of the most radical and controversial groups in the metal world. Barnes was a member of the band from its inception in 1988 until he left in 1995 to form his own band, Six Feet Under. Fans of the genre still recognize Barnes’ impact on Cannibal Corpse’s music and aesthetic, particularly for his role in shaping the band’s early releases.
After leaving Cannibal Corpse in 1995, Barnes went on to achieve additional success with Six Feet Under, which he established alongside former Obituary guitarist Allen West. The band proceeded to unveil a succession of victorious albums, with Barnes’ unique vocals serving as an integral aspect of their recognizable style.
George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher’s partnership with the group Monstrosity ended when he joined the ranks of Cannibal Corpse in 1995, taking over the reins from the band’s former vocalist, Chris Barnes. Since then, he has remained a fixture in the group. Fisher’s unique, guttural vocals have become an unmistakable hallmark of the band’s style, and his lively stage presence and energy have helped cement their status as one of the most riveting and compelling live metal acts on the circuit.
In 1998, the group introduced their sixth studio endeavor, ‘Gallery of Suicide,’ which indicated a departure from their former musical approach and instead showcased a more inventive method of songwriting. The album elicited varied responses from both fans and critics, with some lauding the band’s audacity in taking artistic gambles and exploring unexplored territories, while others criticized the album for its absence of coherence and direction.
Despite the divergent reaction to ‘Gallery of Suicide,’ the ensemble persisted in their sonic expeditions and advanced their musical style in subsequent works, like ‘Bloodthirst’ (1999) and ‘Gore Obsessed’ (2002). These albums presented a more elaborate and polished sound, characterized by elaborate instrumentation and sophisticated songwriting.
In contemporary times, Cannibal Corpse has continued to push the boundaries and conventions of their genre, demonstrated by their albums ‘A Skeletal Domain’ (2014) and ‘Red Before Black’ (2017). These works have been commended by reviewers for their extraordinary technical dexterity and Cannibal Corpse’s boldness to explore uncharted domains by experimenting with new sounds and styles.
Besides their musical achievements, Cannibal Corpse has been involved in numerous controversial incidents throughout their tenure. In 1993, the band was embroiled in a widely publicized obscenity trial in Germany, where they were charged with distributing indecent material. Despite being ultimately absolved of all charges, the trial cemented their reputation as a provocative and polarizing collective.
Cannibal Corpse has faced criticism for their use of macabre and graphic subject matter in their lyrics and album visuals, which has generated condemnation from some quarters. Nevertheless, the band has repeatedly rejected any connection between their music and promoting aggression, asserting that their art serves solely as a form of amusement, and despite the infamy that has surrounded them, Cannibal Corpse has persisted as a prominent force in the extreme metal genre, and their influence can be perceived in the myriad bands that have followed in their wake.
Cannibal Corpse’s vast discography attests to the band’s steadfast dedication to their craft and their willingness to experiment and push the boundaries of their sound. Their initial albums, often met with condemnation, contrast with their later, more polished and intricate offerings. Nevertheless, the band’s fundamental essence endures, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to their roots while still exploring novel directions within the limits of their musical style.
Despite encountering resistance and dissent throughout their career, Cannibal Corpse has successfully nurtured a devoted and fervent fan base. Their influence on the extreme metal genre is undeniable and extensive, and the release of their latest album in 2021, ‘Violence Unimagined,’ reaffirms their steadfast dedication to their art. As they forge ahead with their music, it is evident that the band’s impact on the genre will endure with both long-time and novel fans, solidifying their legacy for years to come.
Cannibal Corpse has undertaken extensive tours throughout their career, both domestically and internationally. They have graced the stages of some of the largest metal festivals worldwide, such as Wacken Open Air, Hellfest, and Download Festival. The band is famed for their electrifying live performances.
Cannibal Corpse has also been confirmed to perform at the inaugural Hell in the Harbor Festival, which will take place during the Memorial Day weekend of May 27th and 28th at Baltimore’s iconic Inner Harbor. The festival features two stages, an outdoor one on Market Place and an indoor one at Baltimore Soundstage, with prominent acts like High on Fire, Dying Fetus, and Napalm Death joining Cannibal Corpse as headliners.
