Cannibal Corpse

Cannibal Corpse was formed in December 1988 in Buffalo, New York, by members of disbanded local death metal bands Beyond Death and Tirant Sin. The original lineup included Alex Webster, Jack Owen, Paul Mazurkiewicz, Chris Barnes, and Bob Rusay. The band quickly gained local recognition, performing at venues like Buffalo’s River Rock Cafe and opening for established acts such as Dark Angel and Death. In July 1989, only eight months after formation, the band signed with Metal Blade Records, a significant milestone that led to the release of their debut album, “Eaten Back to Life,” in August 1990. Driven by the emerging Florida death metal scene, the band relocated to Tampa, further solidifying their presence in the genre. They released their second album, “Butchered at Birth,” in July 1991, which was followed by a European tour with Atheist and Gorguts in 1992.

The band’s third album, “Tomb of the Mutilated,” released in September 1992, showcased their escalating brutality and controversial lyrical themes, leading to increased sales and international recognition, alongside bans in several countries. In 1993, guitarist Bob Rusay was replaced by Rob Barrett, marking an early change in the band’s lineup. This period also saw a cameo appearance in Jim Carrey’s 1994 film “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” performing “Hammer Smashed Face.” Their fourth studio album, “The Bleeding,” released in April 1994, continued their musical evolution. A significant turning point occurred in 1995 when original vocalist Chris Barnes was replaced by George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher due to creative and personal differences, leading to a new visual branding with an updated logo. Their fifth album, “Vile,” released in 1996, was the first with Fisher on vocals, and it was well-received, marking a new era for the band. In two years, the band released three albums, “Gallery of Suicide” (1998), “Bloodthirst” (1999), and “Gore Obsessed” (2002).

Over the years, Cannibal Corpse has released sixteen studio albums, maintaining a consistent stylistic approach while refining their technicality. They achieved a significant commercial milestone by selling two million units worldwide by 2015. Their fifteenth studio album, “Violence Unimagined” (2021), marked their first Top 10 appearance on the Billboard Top Album Sales Chart, selling 14,000 copies in its first week. The band has toured extensively with various prominent metal acts, including Slayer, Amon Amarth, and Meshuggah. Their enduring influence is evident through their recognition as “the undisputed kings of death metal” and one of “metal’s most notorious and celebrated bands,” by publications like OC Weekly and Forbes.