Cannibal Corpse Lecture Notes

Introduction to Cannibal Corpse

• American death metal band formed in Buffalo, New York in 1988.
• Currently based in Tampa, Florida.
• Notable for its brutal and horror-themed lyrics.
• Released 16 studio albums, 2 box sets, 4 video albums, and 2 live albums.
• Known for its cult following despite limited mainstream exposure.
• Achieved worldwide sales of 2 million units by 2015.

Band History

Formation and Early Releases

• Formed in December 1988 by members from local disbanded groups.
• Debut album: Eaten Back to Life (1990).
• Moved to Tampa, Florida to join the death metal movement.
• Butchered at Birth (1991) gained international attention.

Major Albums and Changes

• Tomb of the Mutilated (1992) increased fame but brought internal friction.
• Guitarist Bob Rusay was replaced by Rob Barrett.
• Featured in Jim Carrey’s film Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.
• The Bleeding (1994) marked a stylistic change.

Vocalist Changes and Later Albums

• Chris Barnes replaced by George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher (1995).
• Subsequent albums like Vile (1996) and Gallery of Suicide (1998).
• Continued releasing albums through the 2000s, including Kill (2006) and Evisceration Plague (2009).

Recent Developments

• Violence Unimagined achieved Top 10 Billboard position in 2021.
• Chaos Horrific announced for release in 2023.
• Erik Rutan joined as full-time guitarist in 2021.

Musical Style and Artistry

Musical Style

• Characterized as brutal death metal.
• Known for atonal melodies and complex rhythms.
• Consistent style with technical proficiency.

Lyrical Themes

• Lyrics explore horror, gore, and violence.
• Often fictional and inspired by horror movies.
• Maintains focus on creating extreme imagery.

Impact and Legacy

• Considered pioneers in the death metal genre.
• Influential to many subsequent metal bands.
• Faced censorship and controversy globally due to their extreme themes.

Controversy and Censorship

• Lyrics and cover art often banned in various countries.
• Accused of promoting violence but defended as fictional art.
• Faced legal issues in countries like Germany and Russia.

Band Members

Current Members

• Alex Webster (Bass)
• Paul Mazurkiewicz (Drums)
• Rob Barrett (Guitar)
• George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher (Vocals)
• Erik Rutan (Guitar, joined full-time 2021)

Past Members

• Chris Barnes (Vocals)
• Jack Owen (Guitar)
• Bob Rusay (Guitar)
• Pat O'Brien (Guitar)

Discography Highlights

• Eaten Back to Life (1990)
• Butchered at Birth (1991)
• Tomb of the Mutilated (1992)
• The Bleeding (1994)
• Vile (1996)
• Kill (2006)
• Violence Unimagined (2021)

Conclusion

• Cannibal Corpse remains a significant and influential force in death metal.
• Despite controversies, they continue to produce music and maintain a devoted fanbase.