In the seething cauldron of death metal, the name CANNIBAL CORPSE engenders an instant recognition of fear-infused exhilaration. With the advent of their sixteenth studio album, “Chaos Horrific,” set for release on September 22nd via Metal Blade Records, the group reiterates their unyielding command over the genre, unleashing an audial onslaught that sends tremors through the very soul of their listeners.
An inescapable titan of death metal since their formation in 1988, CANNIBAL CORPSE has been relentless in their pursuit of extremity. Their 2021 offering, “Violence Unimagined,” was a testament to this relentless pursuit, pushing the boundaries of aural intensity. In 2023, as they mark their thirty-fifth year of existence, they resurface from the depths of their brutal symphony with “Chaos Horrific,” a relentless harbinger of auditory dread that not only lives up to its predecessor but also pushes the envelope of their macabre musical saga.
Emerging from the shadows of the “Violence Unimagined” sessions, “Chaos Horrific” carries the echo of its precursor, as stated by bassist Alex Webster. The album is not merely a continuation of the narrative, but a progression, echoing the band’s relentless pursuit of technical complexity and profound songwriting, a commitment echoed by guitarist Rob Barrett. This relentless pursuit of unadulterated intensity, while refusing to conform to predetermined notions, forms the backbone of the album’s composition, allowing the music to chart its own harrowing course.
With each track, CANNIBAL CORPSE disregards predetermined structures, embracing a free-flowing exploration of brutal soundscape that guitarist/producer Erik Rutan describes as a process of “let[ting] the writing flow freely with no limitations.” The absence of a master plan allows the band to delve into uncharted territories of dread and terror, pushing the boundaries of their previous work, “Violence Unimagined,” while steadfastly adhering to the indelible essence of CANNIBAL CORPSE.
Rutan’s close collaboration with CANNIBAL CORPSE over six albums since 2006’s “Kill,” and his full-fledged membership since 2020, brought an unparalleled comfort level to the tracking process at Mana Studio in Florida. This familiarity allowed each member to strive for their full potential, paving the way for an even smoother transition from conception to recording. Further aiding this process, Barrett and Rutan employed custom guitars with longer scale necks, tailoring their tools to the band’s propensity for lower tunings.
The album, christened “Chaos Horrific” by drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz, traverses themes of apocalyptic dread, ritualistic sacrifices, and victims’ retaliation, each track a testament to the gruesome narratives that have become synonymous with the band’s legacy. The artwork, a chaotic melee of living and undead creatures by long-time collaborator Vince Locke, mirrors these grim themes, capturing the band’s ethos in a nightmarish visual tableau.
Ahead of the album release, the band has unveiled their first single “Blood Blind,” an ode to a dystopian vision of mass mutilation intended to reset the human race. Rutan, who also penned the music, states that the song originated from a funeral march-esque riff that eventually metamorphosed into an “aggressive smorgasbord of depth and swirling darkness.” This is the foretaste of the horror to come – a fitting teaser to the pandemonium that “Chaos Horrific” promises to deliver.
For the uninitiated, the formidable lineup of CANNIBAL CORPSE comprises of some of the most revered figures in the death metal scene. At the helm is George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher, whose guttural, bone-chilling vocals have come to epitomize the band’s spine-tingling aura. Erik Rutan and Rob Barrett, each brandishing a guitar like a weapon of mass destruction, weave intricate sonic tapestries that oscillate between raw brutality and technical finesse. Alex Webster, armed with his bass, provides the rhythmic backbone to their monstrous compositions, while Paul Mazurkiewicz, on drums, propels the band forward with his thunderous percussions, setting the pace for their relentless aural assault.
Chaos Horrific will be available on digipak CD, deluxe box set (Dried Blood Marbled vinyl, 24p 12″ booklet, puzzle, pin, poster and art print – limited to 1500 copies), cassette (limited to 500 copies), digitally, and on vinyl in the following variants:
– 180g Black (EU exclusive)
– Burned Flesh Marble (EU exclusive)
– Slate Blue Marble (PIAS exclusive – limited to 600 copies)
– Charcoal Brown Marble (Sound Polution exclusive – limited to 500 copies)
– Pearl Violet Marble (EU exclusive – ltd. 500 copies)
– Bloodsun Marble (EU exclusive – ltd. 500 copies)
– Clear Red & Yellow Splatter (EMP exclusive – ltd. to 300 copies)
– Clear & White/Blue Splatter (EU exclusive – ltd. to 300 copies)
– Turquoise & White Splatter (Napalm exclusive – ltd. 300 copies)
– Clear Orange & Red Splatter (Nuclear Blast exclusive – ltd. 300 copies)
– Clear Blackdust (Eyesore exclusive – ltd. 300 copies)
– Red Blackdust (Metal Blade Shop exclusive – ltd. 300 copies)
– Fog Marbled (US exclusive)
– “Charred Remains” (US exclusive)
– Orange/Red Inkspots (US exclusive)
– Black & Brown Marble (US Band store exclusive)
– Silver w/ Red Streaks (US Band store exclusive)
– Electric Smoke (US tour exclusive)
Coinciding with the release of Chaos Horrific, CANNIBAL CORPSE will embark on a month-long North American co-headlining tour with Mayhem. The journey begins September 22nd in Nashville, Tennessee and runs through October 21st in Louisville, Kentucky. Support will be provided by special guests, Gorguts and Blood Incantation! Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 23rd at 10:00am local time. See all confirmed dates below.
CANNIBAL CORPSE w/ Mayhem, Gorguts, Blood Incantation:
9/22/2023 Marathon Music Hall – Nashville, TN
9/23/2023 The Fillmore – Charlotte, NC
9/24/2023 The Mill & Mine – Knoxville, TN
9/26/2023 Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA
9/27/2023 Rebel – Toronto, ON
9/28/2023 L’Olympia – Montreal, QC
9/29/2023 The Palladium – Worcester, MA
9/30/2023 Brooklyn Steel – Brooklyn, NY
10/02/2023 The Royal Oak – Detroit, MI
10/03/2023 Hard Rock Live – Gary, IN
10/04/2023 The Fillmore – Minneapolis, MN
10/06/2023 Mission Ballroom – Denver, CO
10/07/2023 The Depot – Lake City, UT
10/09/2023 Temple Theatre – Tacoma, WA
10/10/2023 Knitting Factory – Spokane, WA
10/11/2023 Knitting Factory – Boise, ID
10/13/2023 The Warfield – San Francisco, CA
10/14/2023 SOMA – San Diego, CA
10/17/2023 The Aztec Theatre – San Antonio, TX
10/18/2023 The Factory – Dallas, TX
10/20/2023 The Eastern – Atlanta, GA
10/21/2023 Paristown Hall – Louisville, KY
