Chris Barnes

Co-founding Cannibal Corpse in 1988, Chris Barnes established himself as a foundational figure in death metal, lending his distinctive guttural vocals and crafting the majority of the lyrics for the band’s initial four studio albums. Barnes’ influential tenure with Cannibal Corpse included the landmark releases ‘Eaten Back to Life’ (1990), ‘Butchered in Birth’ (1991), ‘Tomb of the Mutilated’ (1992), and ‘The Bleeding’ (1994). His lyrical content, known for its explicitly violent and narrative style, became a hallmark of the band’s sound, and he also designed the original Cannibal Corpse logo. His career in music began in 1986, first joining death/thrash band Tirant Sin and subsequently Leviathan.

He also designed the Six Feet Under logo. Barnes’ prolific output continued with Six Feet Under releases such as ‘True Carnage’ (2001), ‘Bringer of Blood’ (2003), ’13’ (2005), ‘Commandment’ (2007), and ‘Death Rituals’ (2008). Beyond his main projects, Barnes also collaborated with other notable acts. He joined Finnish death metal band Torture Killer in 2005, appearing on their album ‘Swarm!’ (2006) before his departure in 2008.

He also contributed backing vocals to albums by Gorguts, Cannabis Corpse, Incite, and Skribbal, maintaining a recognizable presence and expanding his collaborative footprint within the death metal community. His consistent artistry with Six Feet Under extended into the 2010s and 2020s with a string of releases including ‘Graveyard Classics 3’ (2010), ‘Undead’ (2012), ‘Unborn’ (2013), ‘Crypt of the Devil’ (2015), ‘Torment’ (2017), and ‘Nightmares of the Decomposed’ (2020). Most recently, Barnes continues to lead Six Feet Under, releasing their latest album, ‘Killing for Revenge,’ in 2024. He remains an active and influential figure, consistently releasing new material and touring with Six Feet Under, showcasing his enduring impact on the death metal genre as a vocalist, lyricist, and producer.