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Cannibal Corpse

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Band Timeline

1988

Formation of Cannibal Corpse in Buffalo, New York

Cannibal Corpse was formed in December 1988 by members from two recently disbanded Buffalo-based death metal bands: Beyond Death and Tirant Sin. The original lineup consisted of Alex Webster, Jack Owen, Paul Mazurkiewicz, Chris Barnes, and Bob Rusay. The band began jamming and writing music together, with bassist Alex Webster naming the band. In early 1989, they recorded a five-song self-titled demo tape which became known as 'A Skull Full of Maggots.' Their first live show took place in March 1989 at the River Rock Cafe in Buffalo, opening for thrash metal band Dark Angel. The band quickly gained a local following and signed to Metal Blade Records in July 1989, just eight months after forming.
1990

Release of debut album 'Eaten Back to Life' and relocation to Florida

Cannibal Corpse released their first studio album 'Eaten Back to Life' in August 1990. The release marked the beginning of their presence in the death metal scene. Seeking greater commercial and recording opportunities, they relocated from Buffalo, New York to Tampa, Florida, a burgeoning hub for death metal at the time. They supported the album with local area shows, building a fan base and establishing themselves within the American metal underground.
1991

Release of 'Butchered at Birth' and gaining international attention

On July 1, 1991, Cannibal Corpse released their second album, 'Butchered at Birth,' which helped them gain a cult following both in the United States and internationally. The band toured Europe, playing to enthusiastic crowds of two to three hundred people per show, a significant achievement for a band with only two albums. During this period, all members quit their day jobs and dropped out of college, committing fully to the band. Their brutal and graphic lyrical content alongside intense music cemented their growing reputation in the global death metal scene.
1992

Release of 'Tomb of the Mutilated' and rise in underground popularity

Cannibal Corpse released their third album, 'Tomb of the Mutilated,' in 1992. This album further pushed the band’s notoriety with its controversial and explicit song titles and lyrics. It solidified their cult status in death metal and contributed significantly to their underground popularity internationally. Despite little mainstream media coverage or radio play, the album’s raw intensity and shock factor contributed to a dedicated fanbase and increased their profile on the extreme metal circuit.
1995

Lineup changes: departure of vocalist Chris Barnes, arrival of George Fisher

In 1995, original vocalist Chris Barnes left Cannibal Corpse. He was replaced by George 'Corpsegrinder' Fisher, formerly of the band Monstrosity. Fisher’s arrival marked a new era for the band with his distinct vocal style bringing fresh energy. This lineup change proved pivotal, as Fisher remains the vocalist to this day. His tenure has coincided with continued success and prolific output, helping to sustain the band’s relevance in the death metal genre over decades.
1996

Release of 'Vile' with George Fisher as vocalist

The 1996 album 'Vile' was the first Cannibal Corpse record to feature George Fisher on vocals. The album showcased a slightly evolved sound with Fisher's powerful and guttural vocal delivery complementing the band's brutal musical style. 'Vile' helped expand their fanbase and was noted for refining the band's technical and songwriting abilities while maintaining their signature graphic lyrical themes. This album established the new lineup’s chemistry and set the stage for future releases.
2000

Release of 'Bloodthirst' and continued evolution

'Bloodthirst' was released in 2000, representing continued musical evolution and technical proficiency for Cannibal Corpse. This album featured complex riffs, more varied tempos, and aggressive vocals. It maintained the band’s thematic focus on horror and gore but showcased tighter production and songwriting. 'Bloodthirst' was well received among fans and critics as a strong addition to the band's discography, demonstrating their ability to remain vigorous well into their second decade.
2006

Release of 'Kill' and lineup change with guitarists

The release of 'Kill' in 2006 marked another milestone for Cannibal Corpse. Around this period, there was a notable lineup continuity except for occasional guitarist changes. 'Kill' upheld their aggressive and brutal style with precise musicianship and dark themes. The album exhibited the band’s perseverance in maintaining their signature sound amidst changing trends in metal, further cementing their legacy as one of death metal’s most enduring acts.
2015

Sales milestone and continued prominence in death metal

By 2015, Cannibal Corpse had achieved worldwide sales totaling two million units across all their album releases. The band had become one of the most recognized names in death metal despite minimal mainstream media exposure. Their longevity and steady output had earned them a dedicated cult following internationally. The band's music and disturbing imagery profoundly influenced the extreme metal scene, inspiring numerous bands and maintaining relevance in a constantly evolving genre.
2021

Release of 'Violence Unimagined' with best Billboard debut

Cannibal Corpse released their fifteenth studio album, 'Violence Unimagined,' in 2021. This album recorded the band's best-ever first-week sales and reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Top Album Sales Chart, entering at number 6 with 14,000 copies sold. The lineup at this time included Paul Mazurkiewicz on drums, Alex Webster on bass, George Fisher on vocals, and guitarists Rob Barrett and Erik Rutan. The album's commercial success demonstrated the band's enduring appeal and ability to thrive in the modern music industry after more than three decades of activity.

Albums

cannibal-corpse_1st_album
Eaten Back to Life
11 tracks
1990
cannibal-corpse_2nd_album
Butchered at Birth
9 tracks
1991
cannibal-corpse_3rd_album
Tomb of the Mutilated
9 tracks
1992
cannibal-corpse_4th_album
The Bleeding
10 tracks
1994
cannibal-corpse_5th_album
Vile
12 tracks
1996
cannibal-corpse_6th_album
Gallery of Suicide
14 tracks
1998
cannibal-corpse_7th_album
Bloodthirst
12 tracks
1999
cannibal-corpse_8th_album
Gore Obsessed
12 tracks
2002
cannibal-corpse_9th_album
The Wretched Spawn
13 tracks
2004
cannibal-corpse_10th_album
Kill
13 tracks
2006
cannibal-corpse_11th_album
Evisceration Plague
13 tracks
2009
cannibal-corpse_12th_album
Torture
15 tracks
2012
cannibal-corpse_13th_album
A Skeletal Domain
12 tracks
2014
cannibal-corpse_14th_album
Red Before Black
12 tracks
2017
cannibal-corpse_15th_album
Violence Unimagined
11 tracks
2021
cannibal-corpse_16th_album
Chaos Horrific
10 tracks
2023
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Pat O’Brien

1997

Paul Mazurkiewicz

1988

Rob Barrett

2005

George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher

1995

Lead vocals

Morbikon

N/A

Alex Webster

1988

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Jack Owen

1988
2004

Rob Barrett

1993
1997

Chris Barnes

1988
1995

Bob Rusay

1988
1993

Story of Cannibal Corpse

Cannibal Corpse: A Brutal Force in Death Metal

Hailing from the icy depths of Buffalo, New York, Cannibal Corpse emerged in 1988 as a sonic storm of brutal, unrelenting death metal. Since their formation, they've become a global phenomenon, amassing a legion of devoted fans and leaving an indelible mark on the genre.

While radio and TV may have largely ignored their sonic assault, their early albums like Butchered at Birth (1991) and Tomb of the Mutilated (1992) ignited a fervent cult following. These records cemented their reputation as a force to be reckoned with, their music a relentless torrent of guttural vocals, razor-sharp riffs, and thunderous drums.

This relentless assault has continued for over three decades, resulting in an impressive sixteen studio albums, two box sets, four video albums, and two live albums. By 2015, they achieved worldwide sales exceeding two million units, a testament to their enduring popularity and influence.

In 2021, Cannibal Corpse achieved a career milestone with their album Violence Unimagined. This release not only secured their best first-week sales ever but also placed them in the top 10 on the Billboard Top Album Sales Chart – a testament to their continued relevance and power.

Through various lineup changes over the years, bassist Alex Webster and drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz have remained the band's bedrock, providing a constant foundation for their brutal sound. Their longevity and influence on the death metal scene are undeniable.

From Buffalo to Tampa

Cannibal Corpse's journey has taken them from their New York roots to their current base in Tampa, Florida. This transition didn't diminish their brutal intensity. They've continued to push the boundaries of death metal, crafting an unparalleled legacy built on relentless aggression, technical prowess, and a dedication to pushing the limits of musical extremity.

Origins of the Name

The band's name itself is a testament to their unflinching embrace of the dark side. Bassist Alex Webster came up with the moniker "Cannibal Corpse," reflecting their music's gruesome themes and unrelenting brutality. It's a name that perfectly encapsulates their sound and the shock value that has become synonymous with their presence in the world of death metal.

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Cannibal Corpse — Brutal Death Metal Legends - The Band Index