Origins of Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse formed in Buffalo, New York, in 1988. The original lineup featured Chris Barnes (vocals), Bob Rusay and Jack Owen (guitars), Alex Webster (bass), and Paul Mazurkiewicz (drums). Their sound drew from early death metal pioneers such as Death, Possessed, and Morbid Angel.
The band’s debut album, Eaten Back to Life (1990), quickly gained an underground following. Later albums—Butchered at Birth (1991) and Tomb of the Mutilated (1992)—solidified their reputation with shocking themes and brutal musicianship.
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For a more detailed look at Cannibal Corpse’s debut release click on the image! |
Chris Barnes’s Gore-Filled Lyrics
Vocalist Chris Barnes became infamous for his graphic, horror-inspired lyricism. His songs, including the notorious “Entrails Ripped from a Virgin’s C*nt,” combined extreme gore storytelling with death metal aggression. Barnes described his lyrical style as a raw reflection of horror cinema and crime fiction.
Controversial Album Artwork
The band’s album covers, painted by Vincent Locke, depicted necrophilia, mutilation, and other taboo subjects. These covers led to widespread censorship:
- In Germany, several albums were banned, including Butchered at Birth and Tomb of the Mutilated.
- In Australia, their albums were restricted or banned entirely until the mid-2000s.
- Some releases had altered or censored covers to comply with regulations.
Political and Cultural Backlash
In 1995, U.S. presidential candidate Bob Dole criticized Cannibal Corpse for “undermining American morals.” The band’s music was frequently cited during debates over violent content in media, placing them alongside rap and heavy metal acts facing similar scrutiny.
International Censorship & Touring Bans
The group faced government pushback in multiple countries. In Russia, lyrics and artwork were officially banned, and several shows were canceled. Bassist Alex Webster defended the band’s work as fictional, likening it to horror films, while drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz criticized “cancel culture” for targeting fantasy art.
Real-Life Violence & Band Safety
In 1994, gang members confronted the band in Los Angeles, objecting to Barnes’s lyrics. The incident escalated when a gun was drawn—highlighting the potential real-world dangers their controversial art could attract.
Ongoing Controversy in the Digital Age
In recent years, social media users have criticized songs like “Necropedophile,” reigniting debates over whether art depicting extreme violence can—or should—be separated from the artist. The metal community remains divided, with many defending Cannibal Corpse’s right to extreme expression.
Legacy of Cannibal Corpse
Despite—or perhaps because of—their controversies, Cannibal Corpse has become the best-selling death metal band of all time. Their early years remain a defining chapter in extreme metal history, cementing their status as a band that challenged censorship and cultural limits for decades.