Cattle Decapitation
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Band Timeline
1996
Formation and Early Years of Cattle Decapitation
Cattle Decapitation was formed in San Diego, California in 1996 by vocalist Scott Miller, guitarist Gabe Serbian, and drummer Dave Astor. They initially focused on a deathgrind style, quickly making a mark in the extreme metal scene. Their first released material was a demo titled 'Ten Torments of the Damned' in the same year, establishing their presence in underground metal circles. This period laid the foundational sound and themes that the band would develop further in their career.
1997-2001
Lineup Changes and Early EPs Released
Around 1997, vocalist Scott Miller left the band, replaced by Travis Ryan who has remained a constant member ever since. During this period, Cattle Decapitation recorded two EPs, 'Human Jerky' in 1999 and 'Homovore' in 2000, both recorded at Double Time Studios with engineer Jeff Forrest. Guitarist Gabe Serbian left in 2001 to focus on another band, The Locust. Subsequently, Josh Elmore (guitar) and Troy Oftedal (bass) joined, solidifying a new lineup that would drive the band's sound forward.
2002
Release of Debut Album 'To Serve Man' and Controversy
Cattle Decapitation released their debut full-length album 'To Serve Man' in 2002. The album was notable for its graphic and controversial cover art, which led to distribution issues in Germany where SPV, a distribution company, refused to handle it. This controversy highlighted the band's commitment to shock value and a strong thematic stance which focused on environmental and animal rights issues, setting a precedent for their future work and societal commentary through music.
2004
Release of 'Humanure' and Censorship Issues
The band's second album, 'Humanure', was released in 2004 and featured provocative cover art depicting a cow excreting human remains. This artwork was censored in some retail outlets without the band's permission, and record store owners often refused to display the album, making it hard for fans to access it. Despite these challenges, the album reinforced their reputation for challenging norms and maintaining a fiercely independent and confrontational artistic identity in the metal scene.
2009
Departure of Bassist Troy Oftedal
In August 2009, long-time bassist Troy Oftedal parted ways with Cattle Decapitation due to musical and personal differences. This marked a significant lineup change as Oftedal had been a key member since 2001. The band continued with new members, maintaining their aggressive and socially conscious themes in their music, while evolving their sound as they prepared for upcoming album releases and tours.
2012
Release of 'Monolith of Inhumanity' and Critical Success
Cattle Decapitation released their fifth studio album, 'Monolith of Inhumanity,' in 2012. The album was met with positive critical reception for its complex musicality and strong thematic content addressing environmental and animal rights issues. They supported the release with extensive tours alongside prominent extreme metal bands such as Suffocation and Behemoth, further solidifying their standing in the international metal community.
2015
Release of 'The Anthropocene Extinction' and Continued Growth
In 2015, the band released 'The Anthropocene Extinction,' following a year of writing and preparation. The album was promoted with the single 'Manufactured Extinct' and demonstrated the band's progressive development in technical death metal with socially conscious lyrics reflecting on humanity's impact on the planet. This release marked another milestone in their career, combining intricate musicianship with poignant environmental commentary.
2018
Lineup Expansion and Social Activism
In 2018, Cattle Decapitation expanded their lineup by adding bassist Olivier Pinard from Cryptopsy and promoting touring guitarist Belisario Dimuzio to a full-time member, turning the group into a five-piece for the first time. That year also saw the band responding compassionately to social issues; for instance, when two Native American teens were unfairly stopped by police during a Colorado State University tour, upon learning they wore the band's T-shirts, Cattle Decapitation offered them lifetime guest list spots, showcasing the band's engagement beyond music.
2019
Recording and Release of 'Death Atlas'
Starting in May 2019, the band recorded their seventh studio album, 'Death Atlas,' which was released on November 29, 2019. This album continued to build on their signature blend of technical death metal and grim environmental themes. 'Death Atlas' received acclaim for its ambitious scope and complex arrangements, reinforcing the band’s position as leaders in the deathgrind subgenre while engaging listeners with themes of planetary destruction and survival.
2023
Release of Eighth Album 'Terrasite' and Documentary Plans
Cattle Decapitation released their eighth studio album, 'Terrasite,' on May 12, 2023. Prior to the release, in November 2022, the band previewed new music live and announced the album's forthcoming arrival. Following the album’s production, a feature-length documentary titled 'From This Flesh: A Cattle Decapitation Story' was released in May 2025. This film chronicles the making of 'Terrasite' and provides insights into the band's history, highlighting their creative process and evolution over nearly three decades.
Albums
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Members
Current
Name
Begin
Occupation
Josh Elmore
2001
Electric guitar
Belisario Dimuzio
2018
Guitar
Travis Ryan
1997
Lead vocals
David McGraw
2007
Drums (drum set)
History
Name
Begin
End
Occupation
Olivier Pinard
2018
2025
Bass guitar
Gabe Serbian
1996
2000
Guitar
Dave Astor
1996
1996
Bass guitar
Scott Miller
1996
1996
Guitar
Dave Astor
1996
2003
Drums (drum set)
Scott Miller
1996
1996
Lead vocals
Michael Laughlin
2003
2006
Drums (drum set)
Gabe Serbian
1996
1996
Drums (drum set)
Derek Engemann
2010
2018
Electric bass guitar
J.R. Daniels
2006
2007
Drums (drum set)
Michael Laughlin
2007
2007
Drums (drum set)
Troy Oftedal
2001
2009
Bass guitar
Michael Laughlin
2006
2006
Drums (drum set)
Story of Cattle Decapitation
Cattle Decapitation, the San Diego deathgrind titans, emerged in 1996. While the original lineup—featuring vocalist Scott Miller, guitarist Gabe Serbian, and drummer Dave Astor—is long gone, the bands legacy endures. Their early work, including the ferocious *Ten Torments of the Damned* demo (1996), laid the groundwork for their brutal sound. A pivotal moment arrived with Travis Ryans 1997 recruitment, solidifying his position as a deathgrind icon. The subsequent Human Jerky (1999) and Homovore (2000) EPs, both recorded at Double Time Studios with engineer Jeff Forrest, further honed their signature style. By 2001, all founding members had departed, with Serbian moving on to The Locust. Despite the significant lineup changes, Ryan, along with guitarist Josh Elmore (a later addition), remain the only constants throughout Cattle Decapitations eight-album discography, cementing their status as the bands core creative force.
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