The veterans of death metal, CANNIBAL CORPSE, are gearing up to unleash their sixteenth studio album titled “Chaos Horrific,” set to be released on September 22nd via Metal Blade Records.
Since their inception in 1988, CANNIBAL CORPSE has been a leading force in the death metal genre, shaping and defining it. In 2021, they raised the bar even higher with their album “Violence Unimagined.” Now, in the year 2023, on their thirty-fifth anniversary, they return with its equally monstrous successor, “Chaos Horrific,” marking a new chapter in their legendary legacy.
Written shortly after concluding the sessions for “Violence Unimagined,” “Chaos Horrific” contains echoes of its predecessor.
“To me, this album feels like a continuation of ‘Violence Unimagined’,” comments bassist Alex Webster.
While CANNIBAL CORPSE has always been recognized for their technical prowess and intricate songwriting, they don’t limit themselves to a predefined approach in the writing process.
“I think our way of composing has evolved in such a way that each song follows its own path, whether it’s straightforward or technical,” notes guitarist Rob Barrett. “Sometimes it’s a combination of both elements, so we don’t have a preconceived notion of wanting to be more technical. The music just follows its natural course.”
Webster agrees: “There was no conscious effort to make things more technical, so if they turned out that way, it was simply the natural result of trying to write the heaviest songs possible.”
In the creation of “Chaos Horrific,” CANNIBAL CORPSE didn’t have a master plan, approaching each song with an open mind and creative freedom.
“I never approach an album with expectations; I simply let the writing flow freely without limitations,” affirms guitarist and producer Erik Rutan. “However, this time around, I knew I wanted to explore new horizons and expand the dynamics in a different direction from ‘Violence Unimagined,’ while still maintaining the essence that defines CANNIBAL CORPSE.”
Rutan has produced six albums for CANNIBAL CORPSE to date, starting with “Kill” in 2006. Additionally, this is his second release as an official member of the band since joining in 2020. The recording took place at Rutan’s studio, Mana Studio, located in the band’s home state of Florida, providing comfort to all involved who were at the peak of their talent and ready to give it their all. The process went smoothly, especially in terms of guitars, thanks to Barrett and Rutan using custom instruments with longer necks to maintain proper tuning in lower tones.
The album was given its title by drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz, and his bandmates agreed that it was a perfect representation of the band. The album’s lyrics tackle themes including the fight against hordes of zombies in “Chaos Horrific,” the random selection of an individual to be dismembered and sacrificed in “Summoned For Sacrifice,” and the violent revenge of human trafficking victims in “Vengeful Invasion.” The album’s cover art, created by longtime collaborator Vince Locke, appropriately captures CANNIBAL CORPSE’s signature style, showcasing a chaotic amalgamation of the living and the undead, evoking the lyrics of the title track.
As a preview to the album release, the band presents their first single, along with a video, titled “Blood Blind.”
Mazurkiewicz comments: “‘Blood Blind’ is about massive mutilations as a method to reset the human race in a genocide that was accepted by the masses.” Rutan adds: “‘Blood Blind’ was the first song I composed musically for ‘Chaos Horrific.’ It all started with that dark, lingering riff in my head, and from there, the song took shape. Intense and disturbing, it became an aggressive collage of depth and darkness. I thought it would be great to collaborate, so I asked Paul to contribute his lyrical stamp.”
Tracklist of “Chaos Horrific”:
- Overlords Of Violence
- Frenzied Feeding
- Summoned For Sacrifice
- Blood Blind
- Vengeful Invasion
- Chaos Horrific
- Fracture And Refracture
- Pitchfork Impalement
- Pestilential Rictus
- Drain You Empty
