Editing Cannibal Corpse (section)

==History==
===Formation and self-titled demo (1988–1989)===
[[File:Chris Barnes.jpg|left|thumb|Original vocalist Chris Barnes was in the band from its formation until his dismissal in 1995. Barnes appeared on the band's first four studio albums.|300x300px]]
Cannibal Corpse was formed in December 1988 when members from recently disbanded [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]]-area death metal bands Beyond Death ([[Alex Webster]] and [[Jack Owen]]) and Tirant Sin ([[Paul Mazurkiewicz]], [[Chris Barnes (musician)|Chris Barnes]], Bob Rusay) started jamming and writing music together. Mazurkiewicz, Barnes and Rusay knew each other from [[high school]], and met Webster and Owen while attending area shows. Webster recalled, "when we got going, there were only a few other bands that you’d really call death metal".<ref name="loudersound.com" /><ref name="disposableunderground.com">{{cite web | url=https://disposableunderground.com/cannibal-corpse-interview-with-chris-barnes-from-the-vault/ | title=Go back in time with Chris Barnes to the "Eaten Back to Life" album | date=October 28, 2020 }}</ref>

Bassist [[Alex Webster]] came up with the name Cannibal Corpse. The band played its first show at Buffalo's River Rock Cafe in March 1989, shortly after recording a five-song self-titled demo tape, which is now commonly known as ''A Skull Full of Maggots''. The band's first live performance was opening for thrash metal band [[Dark Angel (band)|Dark Angel]] at a sold-out show in a small club. The band promoted the show by printing off thousands of posters in multiple colors, and handing them out at a [[Metallica]] concert. Afterward, the band gained traction in the Buffalo area, going as far to receive mentions by ''[[The Buffalo News]]''. During this time, the band also opened for [[Blood Feast (band)|Bloodfeast]], [[The Accüsed]], [[Death (metal band)|Death]] and [[Kreator]]. Cannibal Corpse would also often play shows with Malevolent Creation, as the latter were local to Buffalo as well. The band signed to [[Metal Blade Records]] in July 1989. Mike Faley at Metal Blade wanted to sign the band immediately after reading the song titles in their tracklist. He heard the demo tape after having had it sent to him by the manager of the record store in which Barnes was working. Metal Blade president [[Brian Slagel]] recalled, "I thought it was really interesting and cool. Plus, 'A Skull Full of Maggots' is one of the greatest song titles ever."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cannibal Corpse │ Exclaim! |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/cannibal_corpse-staring_through_eyes_of_banned |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=Cannibal Corpse │ Exclaim! |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Talk Today: Cannibal Corpse: Jack Owen|work=[[USA Today]]|publisher=[[Gannett Company]]|date=March 22, 2001|url=https://www.usatoday.com/community/chat/2001-03-22-cannibal.htm|access-date=February 5, 2009}}</ref><ref name="loudersound.com">{{cite web | url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/cannibal-corpse-death-metal-history-interview-2012 | title=Blood, guts and Jim Carrey: How Cannibal Corpse became death metal's first million selling band | date=March 13, 2024 }}</ref><ref name="Metal Blade Records">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGPot3rP53o&t=3153s |title=Cannibal Corpse - Centuries of Torment - DVD 1 - History (OFFICIAL) |date=2013-11-20 |last=Metal Blade Records |access-date=2025-01-23 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Mazurkiewicz said, "It was unbelievable; it was a dream come true. When we signed the contract with Metal Blade, we were only a band for eight months. And here we are having to finish off writing material and record a record."<ref name="Cannibal Corpse │ Exclaim!">{{Cite web |title=Cannibal Corpse │ Exclaim! |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/cannibal_corpse-staring_through_eyes_of_banned |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Cannibal Corpse │ Exclaim! |language=en}}</ref>

===''Eaten Back to Life'' and ''Butchered at Birth'' (1990–1991)===
{{main|Eaten Back to Life|Butchered at Birth}}
[[File:Cannibal_Corpse_1.png|thumb|The band's original logo, which was created by original vocalist Chris Barnes. The logo was changed after Barnes' departure in 1995 to avoid litigation regarding royalties.]]

The band's debut album, ''[[Eaten Back to Life]]'', was released in August 1990. The band played several local area shows to support the album.<ref name="Cannibal Corpse │ Exclaim!" /> Inspired by and seeking the new commercial and recording opportunities of the then-emerging [[Florida death metal]] scene, the band relocated to Tampa.<ref name=":02">{{cite web|last1=Stevenson|first1=Arielle|date=October 22, 2009|title=The way the music died: The earliest days of Tampa Death Metal|url=http://www.tampabay.com/features/music/the-way-the-music-died-the-earliest-days-of-tampa-death-metal/1046088|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027025354/https://www.tampabay.com/features/music/the-way-the-music-died-the-earliest-days-of-tampa-death-metal/1046088/|archive-date=October 27, 2009|website=[[Tampa Bay Times]]|publisher=[[Times Publishing Company]]|access-date=April 26, 2016}}</ref> The band released its second album ''[[Butchered at Birth]]'' on July 1, 1991. Webster recalled, "We went over to Europe in '91 for ''Butchered at Birth'' and saw this great reaction from all these people on the other side of the ocean. We were like, 'Wow, all these people know who we are!' We were getting two or three hundred people a night at these shows, which was really great for a band with only two albums out. It was a great surprise."<ref name="loudersound.com" /> The band members quit their day jobs and dropped out of college during this time.<ref name="Cannibal Corpse │ Exclaim!" /><ref name="Metal Blade Records" />

Friction arose between the band members while touring in support of ''Butchered at Birth''. According to Webster, Barnes was managing a tour by himself for the first time, and there were uncertainties regarding how the tour's finances were being handled. The band privately dissolved and split into two separate camps during this time. Owen claimed to have been "in the middle" of the situation. Mazurkiewicz and Webster moved into an apartment just four doors down from the band's practice space, and composed the music to "Hammer Smashed Face" as a means to vent their frustrations with Barnes.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dick |first1=Chris |title=Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces |publisher=McFarland |pages=154–155}}</ref>

Cannibal Corpse toured Europe with [[Atheist (band)|Atheist]] and [[Gorguts]] in early 1992. That same year, the band toured with [[Obituary (band)|Obituary]], [[Malevolent Creation]] and [[Agnostic Front]] on the ''Complete Control Tour''. Cannibal Corpse and Malevolent Creation shared a tour bus during this tour, and the latter of which future Cannibal Corpse guitarist [[Rob Barrett]] was playing with. According to Barrett, "We were like one big family, and I am pretty sure that is why I got the call to join with them the next year."<ref name="nysmusic.com">{{Cite web |date=2014-08-04 |title=Interview: Rob Barrett of Death Metal Legends, Cannibal Corpse |url=https://nysmusic.com/2014/08/04/interview-rob-barrett-of-death-metal-legends-cannibal-corpse/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=NYS Music |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pratt |first=Greg |date=2019-01-31 |title=That Tour Was Awesome: Complete Control (1992) |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2019/01/31/that-tour-was-awesome-complete-control-1992/ |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=Decibel Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

===''Tomb of the Mutilated'' and dismissal of Bob Rusay (1992–1993)===
{{Main|Tomb of the Mutilated}}
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| quote = So, we get into the and they all say, "We want Jack to do both guitars on the album." I was like, "Fuck that! This is a band." When they had Jack do both guitar parts, the whole thing broke. It was the final straw. People need to know I wasn't able to record my own fuckin' music. Shit I wrote. They did the same thing on the Hammer Smashed Face EP. After about two weeks I got the call that I was fired. I don't think Chris had too much to say about it. It took me by surprise. I was working a club, Chris showed up, punched me in the arm, and then the next day I get a call, "We don't wanna jam with you anymore." It's like, "What? Do I have a choice here?" The way it was handled was pretty bad. I called Paul and he was frantic. Like a little girl. That's how they got rid of me. I tell people it was a mutual break-up and we weren't getting along, but now that we're talking about it I want to set the record straight.
| source = Original Cannibal Corpse guitarist Bob Rusay recounting his dismissal in the book ''Precious Metal'', as quoted by Chris Dick of ''[[Decibel (magazine)|Decibel]]'' <ref>Dick, Chris. ''Precious Metal'' (2008). Da Capo Press. page 160-161</ref>
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The band released their third album ''[[Tomb of the Mutilated]]'' on September 22, 1992, which was said to have showcased "some of the sickest album art and song titles of all time." Vincent Jeffries of [[AllMusic]] said, "the band's attention-getting tactics worked perfectly and record sales soared. Cannibal Corpse then became one of the biggest names in the death metal genre -- just as the group's discs and live performances were being banned all over the world."<ref name="allmusic.com">{{Citation |title=Tomb of the Mutilated - Cannibal Corpse {{!}} Album {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/tomb-of-the-mutilated-mw0000119495 |access-date=2025-01-03 |language=en}}</ref>

In February 1993, founding guitarist Bob Rusay was fired from the group and was replaced by [[Malevolent Creation]] guitarist [[Rob Barrett]], which the band emphasized as "definitely a professional decision and nothing personal."<ref>{{cite web|last=Pratt|first=Greg|title=Cannibal Corpse Staring through the Eyes of the Banned|publisher=exclaim.ca|year=2012|url=http://exclaim.ca/Features/Timeline/cannibal_corpse-staring_through_eyes_of_banned/Page/2|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130719192214/http://exclaim.ca/Features/Timeline/cannibal_corpse-staring_through_eyes_of_banned/Page/2|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-07-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjdjCFoudGs&t=212s |title=an interview with CANNIBAL CORPSE at Milwaukee Metalfest from July 31, 1993 |date=2025-02-22 |last=MINDMELTVIDEO |access-date=2025-03-14 |via=YouTube}}</ref>[[File:Cannibal_Corpse_Full_Force_2019_05.jpg|thumb|300x300px|Guitarist [[Rob Barrett]] performing with Cannibal Corpse at Full Force in 2019. Barrett replaced original guitarist Bob Rusay in 1993. Barrett left the in 1997 and was replaced by [[Pat O'Brien (guitarist)|Pat O'Brien]]. Barrett returned to the band in 2005 to replace the band's other original guitarist [[Jack Owen]].]]The band has stated that Rusay, whose musical background was in [[punk rock]], was having trouble adapting to the band's increasingly technical songwriting style. Owen recalled: "We tried to be professional. We were under the microscope. The budgets were getting bigger. He wasn't tight. It's not where we were at. It goes back to ''Butchered''." Webster fired Rusay over a phonecall while the latter was attending a party in celebration of the [[Buffalo Bills]] winning the Conference Championship Game. Webster was not a sports fan and was unaware of the poor timing of the band's decision. Owen commented, "I wasn't going to break the news to him. I really thought he'd kill me. Bob was a badass." According to Webster: "Bob was the tough guy in the band, for sure. He was in great physical condition and was really into martial arts. When you're young, you tend to solve your problems [[Violence|that way]] instead of talking it out. That was something to think about. He could have found us if he wanted." Webster recounted that Rusay hung up on him after receiving notification of his dismissal. Barnes has since stated that he and Owen did not agree with the decision to relieve Rusay of his duties, and expressed regret for having not called him afterward. However, by Webster's account, the decision to dismiss Rusay was unanimous.<ref name=":1" />

The band has stated that Rusay has made no effort to contact them since his firing, and that he subsequently withdrew from the music scene afterwards. Despite his dismissal from the band, Mazurkiewicz commended Rusay in the [[Centuries of Torment: The First 20 Years|Centuries of Torment]] documentary, calling him "monumental". Barnes credited Rusay for having composed some of the most important songs of the band's early career. Rusay has since become a [[Golf instruction|golf instructor]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LoeWc41ios |title=Chris Barnes explains his vocal change on The Bleeding by Cannibal Corpse |date=2025-01-06 |last=DeathSpace Archives |access-date=2025-01-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Dick |first=Chris |title=Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces |publisher=Da Capo Press |publication-date=July 14, 2009 |pages=161–162}}</ref><ref>Cannibal Corpse: Centuries of Torment</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGPot3rP53o&t=3153s |title=Cannibal Corpse - Centuries of Torment - DVD 1 - History (OFFICIAL) |date=2013-11-20 |last=Metal Blade Records |access-date=2025-01-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pasbani |first=Robert |date=2013-08-21 |title=Did You Know That Founding CANNIBAL CORPSE Guitarist Bob Rusay Is A Golf Instructor Now? |url=https://metalinjection.net/shocking-revelations/did-you-know-that-founding-cannibal-corpse-guitarist-bob-rusay-is-a-golf-instructor-now |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=Metal Injection |language=en-US}}</ref>

The band fired Rusay weeks before they were scheduled to leave for a US tour. Rusay's replacement, Rob Barrett, learned the entire setlist in two weeks prior to the tour.<ref name="nysmusic.com"/> In an interview at Milwaukee Metalfest in 1993, Barrett commented, "The kids in Europe were disappointed about [Rusay's departure], 'cause [they were like], 'What happened to Bob?! He was the brutal-ist!' So I kind of had my work cut out for me, you know?"<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjdjCFoudGs&t=212s |title=an interview with CANNIBAL CORPSE at Milwaukee Metalfest from July 31, 1993 |date=2025-02-22 |last=MINDMELTVIDEO |access-date=2025-03-14 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

===Ace Ventura cameo and ''The Bleeding'' (1994)===
{{Main|The Bleeding (album)}}
Cannibal Corpse had a [[cameo appearance]] in the 1994 [[Jim Carrey]] film ''[[Ace Ventura: Pet Detective]]'', performing an abridged version of their song "[[Hammer Smashed Face]]".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pasbani |first1=Robert |title=CANNIBAL CORPSE Almost Turned Down Working with Jim Carrey on Ace Ventura |date=February 11, 2015 |url=https://metalinjection.net/at-the-movies/cannibal-corpse-almost-turned-down-working-with-jim-carrey-on-ace-ventura#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20all%20time,greats%20through%20the%20wacky%20comedy. |publisher=Metal Injection |access-date=17 January 2025}}</ref>

The band released their fourth studio album ''[[The Bleeding (album)|The Bleeding]]'' on April 12, 1994. According to Paul Mazurkiewicz, “''The Bleeding'' had begun a process of change in the band. We were developing musically, and the aim was to really take things to the next level. I believe this was obvious with the music that the four of us were coming up with at the time.”<ref name="Domepublished">{{Cite web |last=Domepublished |first=Malcolm |date=2024-08-16 |title="We knew Chris Barnes had to go. We phoned him on the road and said, 'Dude, you're out.' It was as simple as that": How Cannibal Corpse made 90s death metal classic Vile and ended up in the US charts |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/cannibal-corpse-vile-story-behind-album |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=louder |language=en}}</ref>

After ''The Bleeding's'' touring cycle had concluded, Barrett convinced the rest of the band to relocate to Florida.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-11-07 |title=Inside CANNIBAL CORPSE's 1995 Decision To Fire CHRIS BARNES |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/inside-cannibal-corpses-1995-decision-to-fire-chris-barnes |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref> Barnes stated in a 2025 interview that he was not given a say in this decision.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW7d4ilEy30&t=4379s |title=SIX FEET UNDER {{!}} Chris Barnes: Cannibal Corpse, Horror & Death Metal Legacy {{!}} Garza Podcast 164 |date=2025-02-17 |last=Garza Podcast |access-date=2025-03-14 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

===Dismissal of Chris Barnes ''and Vile'' (1995–1996)===
{{Main|Vile (album)|Six Feet Under (band)}}
[[Image:Cannibal Corpse 2.png|thumb|The band's current logo, in use since 1995.|300x300px]]
[[File:George Fisher 02.jpg|left|thumb|[[George Fisher (musician)|George Fisher]] replaced original vocalist [[Chris Barnes (musician)|Chris Barnes]] in 1995]]
In 1995, during recording sessions for their fifth album [[Vile (album)|''Vile'']], singer [[Chris Barnes (musician)|Chris Barnes]] was dismissed from the band while on tour with [[Six Feet Under (band)|Six Feet Under]], which was at the time his side project. Barnes and the rest of the band members have since stated the split was due to creative and personal differences within the group that had been mounting for years. The band members have since admitted some semblance of jealousy towards Barnes on their part, partially due to media attention regarding his vocals and lyrical content, which often eclipsed attention towards the band's instrumentation and songwriting. Barnes stated "things just kept getting weirder and weirder between us at that point," and has gone as far as to allude to a "fist fight" with another band member that occurred during this time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roughedge.com/features/sixfeetunder0701a.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316020336/http://www.roughedge.com/features/sixfeetunder0701a.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 16, 2008|title=Six Feet Under Interview with Chris Barnes|date=March 16, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGPot3rP53o&t=3153s |title=Cannibal Corpse - Centuries of Torment - DVD 1 - History (OFFICIAL) |date=2013-11-20 |last=Metal Blade Records |access-date=2025-01-21 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref name="Domepublished"/>

In 2025, Barnes said, "There was always tension on a personal level in that band when I was in the band, and probably mostly my fault [''laughs''], so I'll be the first to admit it."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2025-01-11 |title=CHRIS BARNES Admits He Was Responsible For Most Of The Tension In CANNIBAL CORPSE During His Time With The Band |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/chris-barnes-admits-he-was-responsible-for-most-of-the-tension-in-cannibal-corpse-during-his-time-with-the-band |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref>
Barnes was replaced by [[Monstrosity (band)|Monstrosity]] singer [[George Fisher (musician)|George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher]]. According to Paul Mazurkiewicz, "George was the only person we ever considered. We believed he could do what we wanted. If he had declined, or hadn’t have worked out, I’m not sure what would have happened. It may have been the end of Cannibal Corpse. It was as serious as that." Webster commented, "I feel that certain people at our record label [Metal Blade] were making it sound like our careers would be over without Chris. And if the only good thing about our band was Chris Barnes, then we weren’t much of a band then, were we?" Mazurkiewicz said, “I’ll admit that [[Brian Slagel]], the head of [<nowiki/>[[Metal Blade Records]]], wasn’t at all pleased. That was understandable. For any band to fire their vocalist is a really risky step. But we had complete faith in what George had done, and thankfully the fans’ reaction was almost totally positive."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-04-01 |title=The Moshville Times - Interview Archive: Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse) |url=https://www.moshville.co.uk/interview/2013/04/interview-archive-alex-webster-cannibal-corpse/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=The Moshville Times |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="Domepublished" />[[File:Deicide band 010.jpg|thumb|275x275px|Original guitarist [[Jack Owen]] left the band in 2004, and was replaced by former guitarist Rob Barrett.]]According to producer [[Scott Burns (record producer)|Scott Burns]], "I thought Barnes was irreplaceable. I had no idea who could take his place, but occasionally, amid the drama and confusion, Rob Barrett would speak up and say, "Let's bring in George." Rob was the easiest to get on board with the decision. I'll stress this: The decision to remove Barnes was ultimately the band's. Alex and the guys knew I didn't think Barnes's performance was up to par, but kicking out a band member was not my territory. I wasn't thinking about George at the time. I worried about getting the album done and didn't see how we would do it without Barnes. I remember the Cannibal guys saying they didn't care if Metal Blade dropped them. They wanted to make one record where they were as happy with the vocals as the music. It took a lot of courage to make that call."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kennelty |first=Greg |date=2023-11-07 |title=CANNIBAL CORPSE & SCOTT BURNS Dive Deep Into The Failed 1995 Album Created To Kill |url=https://metalinjection.net/news/cannibal-corpse-scott-burns-dive-deep-into-the-failed-1995-album-created-to-kill |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=Metal Injection |language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File:Pat O'Brien.jpg|left|thumb|[[Pat O'Brien (guitarist)|Pat O'Brien]] replaced [[Rob Barrett]] following his departure from the band in 1997.]]
The band released their fifth album [[Vile (album)|''Vile'']] in 1996. Mazurkiewicz said, "At first I think everybody was a little reluctant. [...] They loved Barnes, but we knew we were bettering the band and were just like, 'Wait until you hear it.' And I think, for the most part, everybody shut up after that. As soon as we put the album out, we went out on the road, and it was 'Barnes who?' at that point."<ref name="Cannibal Corpse │ Exclaim!" />

The band toured North America with [[Misfits (band)|Misfits]], [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]] and [[Life of Agony]] in 1996.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Vq68ShfTw |title=Cannibal Corpse on Tour with Misfits, Anthrax and Life of Agony in 1996 |date=2025-03-19 |last=Cannibal Corpse Fanbase |access-date=2025-05-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

Barnes went on to perform with the band [[Six Feet Under (band)|Six Feet Under]] as his main project and later, [[Torture Killer]]. Barnes designed the original Cannibal Corpse logo, which was changed following his dismissal from the band. There has been speculation regarding whether Barnes had legal ownership rights to the logo. Cannibal Corpse drummer [[Paul Mazurkiewicz]] clarified, "He didn’t legally own it, [...] but Chris did draw the thing in the first place. We needed a logo when the band started out, and he came up with something suitable. But once we’d fired him, then he started asking for payment on all CDs and merchandise we sold that carried his logo. Therefore, we decided to come up with a new one for the ''Vile'' release, which also marked a new era for us. So, it really did the job on two levels."<ref name="Domepublished" />

===''Gallery of Suicide, Bloodthirst and Gore Obsessed'' (1997–2003)===
{{Main|Gallery of Suicide|The Wretched Spawn}}
In February 1997, Rob Barrett left Cannibal Corpse due to musical differences and rejoined his previous bands [[Malevolent Creation]], [[Solstice (US band)|Solstice]], and HatePlow. Pat O'Brien replaced Barrett on guitar.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> He had been recommended to the band by their soundperson, as well as by [[Steve Tucker (musician)|Steve Tucker]], who had been playing with [[Morbid Angel]] at that time. Webster recalled, "When Rob left, we’d written about three songs for the new album. We carried on writing and took a couple of months before we chose another guitar player. This was one change that we didn’t have to make in a hurry, for once!" The band started recording new material in October 1997. Fisher shared a house with Mazurkiewicz and another friend during this time. He recalled, "it was a crazy time. We were slobs and just [[party]]ing!"<ref name="McIverpublished">{{Cite web |last=McIverpublished |first=Joel |date=2024-12-28 |title=“There's an unlimited amount of bad things happening in the world, real and imagined. It's not hard for us to come up with stuff”: The story of Cannibal Corpse's Gallery Of Suicide, the album that helped keep 90s death metal alive |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/cannibal-corpse-gallery-of-suicide-story-behind-album |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Louder |language=en}}</ref>

The band's sixth studio album, ''[[Gallery of Suicide]]'', was released on April 21, 1998. It was O'Brien's first studio appearance with the band.<ref>{{Citation |title=Gallery of Suicide - Cannibal Corpse {{!}} Album {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/gallery-of-suicide-mw0000036144 |access-date=2025-05-14 |language=en}}</ref> The album proved popular with fans of [[black metal]], and Cannibal Corpse would ultimately tour with Swedish bands [[Marduk (band)|Marduk]] and [[Dark Funeral]] during this time. Webster stated: "Black and death metal come from the exact same roots, from mid-80s stuff like [[Sodom (band)|Sodom]], [[Kreator]], [[Celtic Frost]] and [[Possessed (band)|Possessed]], so there was no reason why they couldn’t tour together, and that worked out really well."<ref name="McIverpublished"/>

The band's seventh studio album, ''[[Bloodthirst (album)|Bloodthirst]]'', was released on October 19, 1999. Steve Huey of ''[[AllMusic]]'' opined: "It's rather remarkable how little the band's sound has changed over the course of an entire decade."<ref>{{Citation |title=Bloodthirst - Cannibal Corpse {{!}} Album {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/bloodthirst-mw0000256178 |access-date=2025-05-14 |language=en}}</ref>

The band's first live album, ''[[Live Cannibalism]]'', was released on September 26, 2000.<ref>{{Citation |title=Live Cannibalism - Cannibal Corpse {{!}} Album {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-cannibalism-mw0000618881 |access-date=2025-05-14 |language=en}}</ref>

The band's eighth studio album, ''[[Gore Obsessed]]'', was released on February 26, 2002.<ref>{{Citation |title=Gore Obsessed - Cannibal Corpse {{!}} Album {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/gore-obsessed-mw0000218220 |access-date=2025-05-14 |language=en}}</ref>

The band toured the US during the winter of 2004 with [[Hypocrisy (band)|Hypocrisy]], [[Exhumed (band)|Exhumed]] and [[Vile (band)|Vile]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2003-12-18 |title=CANNIBAL CORPSE, HYPOCRISY: U.S. Tour Dates Announced |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/cannibal-corpse-hypocrisy-u-s-tour-dates-announced#google_vignette |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref>

===''The Wretched Spawn'', departure of Jack Owen and return of Rob Barrett (2004–2005)===
The band's ninth studio album ''[[The Wretched Spawn]]'' was released on February 24, 2004.<ref>{{Citation |title=The Wretched Spawn - Cannibal Corpse {{!}} Album {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0000324069 |access-date=2025-05-21 |language=en}}</ref>

Founding guitarist [[Jack Owen]] left Cannibal Corpse in 2004 to spend more time on his second band, [[Adrift (band)|Adrift]], and also joined [[Deicide (band)|Deicide]] in late 2004. [[Jeremy Turner (guitarist)|Jeremy Turner]] of [[Origin (metal band)|Origin]] substituted on guitar for the band's 2004 tour of Mexico in support of their album ''[[The Wretched Spawn]],'' after being referred to the band by [[Erik Rutan]] of [[Hate Eternal]] (who would later join the band himself in 2019). The band also played [[Wacken Open Air]] and toured the US that year. Turner stated that he believes he played approximately 90 shows with the band over a six-month. The band ultimately did not hire him as a permanent replacement for Owen due to his locality in Kansas; although Turner said that he would have been willing to relocate to join the band, the band in the long run did not feel comfortable "uprooting" him from his family and life. [[Rob Barrett]] re-joined the band for a concert at the Northwest Deathfest in Washington in 2005, before ultimately reassuming guitar duties permanently following several months of deliberation. Barrett's mother stated in the ''[[Centuries of Torment: The First 20 Years|Centuries of Torment]]'' documentary that she discouraged his decision to leave the band in the first place.<ref name=":4">{{cite web|url=https://www.metallian.com/cannibalcorpse.php|title=Cannibal Corpse Biography|website=metallian|access-date=August 1, 2022|date=August 1, 2022}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Cannibal Corpse Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & ... |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/cannibal-corpse-mn0000545534#biography |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=AllMusic |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGPot3rP53o&t=2413s |title=Cannibal Corpse - Centuries of Torment - DVD 1 - History (OFFICIAL) |date=2013-11-20 |last=Metal Blade Records |access-date=2025-05-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

===''Kill'' and ''Evisceration Plague'' (2006–2011)===
{{main|Kill (Cannibal Corpse album)|Evisceration Plague}}
The band's tenth studio album ''[[Kill (Cannibal Corpse album)|Kill]]'' was released on March 21, 2006,<ref>{{Citation |title=Kill - Cannibal Corpse {{!}} Album {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/kill-mw0000508370 |access-date=2025-05-14 |language=en}}</ref> and was considered a turning point in the band's career.

The band participated in the Sounds of the Underground Tour in 2006, which also featured [[Behemoth (band)|Behemoth]] and [[In Flames]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Punknews.org |date=2006-02-17 |title=Sounds of the Underground 2006 to feature As I Lay Dying, In Flames, The Chariot, Terror |url=https://www.punknews.org/article/15807/sounds-of-the-underground-2006-to-feature-as-i-lay-dying-in-flames-the-chariot-terror |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=www.punknews.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2006-04-04 |title=SOUNDS OF THE UNDERGROUND: Tour Dates Announced |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/sounds-of-the-underground-tour-dates-announced |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref> The band also embarked on a headlining tour alongside [[Necrophagist]] and [[Dying Fetus]] in late 2006.<ref>https://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=23209</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2006-08-23 |title=CANNIBAL CORPSE, DYING FETUS, NECROPHAGIST: More North American Tour Dates Announced |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/cannibal-corpse-dying-fetus-necrophagist-more-north-american-tour-dates-announced |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref>

Writing for the follow-up to ''[[Kill (Cannibal Corpse album)|Kill]]'' began in November 2007, as indicated in an interview with bassist [[Alex Webster]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Cannibal Corpse to begin writing new album in November|date=March 8, 2007|publisher=blabbermouth.net|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=68428|access-date=March 8, 2007}}</ref>  ''[[Evisceration Plague]]'', Cannibal Corpse's eleventh studio album, was released on February 3, 2009,<ref name="prefix">{{cite web|last=Rosenbloom|first=Etan|title=Cannibal Corpse: Evisceration Plague (New Album)|work=Prefix|publisher=Prefix Media, LLC|date=January 2009|url=http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/cannibal-corpse/evisceration-plague/24260/|access-date=February 6, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123075824/http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/cannibal-corpse/evisceration-plague/24260/|archive-date=January 23, 2009|df=mdy-all}}</ref> to a highly positive response from fans. They also released a live DVD in 2011 entitled ''Global Evisceration''.

The band toured with [[Children of Bodom]] to promote the album. The band then participated in [[Mayhem Festival 2009]] along with [[Marilyn Manson]], [[Slayer]], [[Behemoth (band)|Behemoth]], [[Job for a Cowboy|Job For a Cowboy]] and [[The Black Dahlia Murder (band)|The Black Dahlia Murder]].<ref name=":6" /> The band then toured on the Decimation Of The Nation 2 tour along with [[Hatebreed]], [[Unearth]], [[Born of Osiris]] and [[Hate Eternal]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Injection |first=Metal |date=2009-09-09 |title=HATEBREED, CANNIBAL CORPSE, UNEARTH: Tour announced |url=https://metalinjection.net/tour-dates/hatebreed-cannibal-corpse-unearth-tour-announced |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Metal Injection |language=en-US}}</ref> Throughout 2010, the band played various festivals in Europe such as [[Wacken Open Air|Wacken]] [[Wacken Open Air|Open Air]], [[Full Force (music festival)|Full Force]] and [[Bloodstock Open Air|Bloodstock Festival]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Gavin |date=2024-03-03 |title=HEAVY MUSIC HISTORY: Evisceration Plague - Cannibal Corpse |url=https://distortedsoundmag.com/heavy-music-history-evisceration-plague-cannibal-corpse/ |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Distorted Sound Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref> Following these festival appearances, the band toured the US during the spring of 2010 with Norwegian black metal band [[1349 (band)|1349]] and thrash metal band [[Skeletonwitch]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Injection |first=Metal |date=2010-02-15 |title=CANNIBAL CORPSE announce tour with 1349, SKELETONWITCH |url=https://metalinjection.net/tour-dates/cannibal-corpse-announce-tour-1349-skeletonwitch |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Metal Injection |language=en-US}}</ref> The band toured the US during the fall of 2010 with [[Dying Fetus]], [[Vital Remains]], and [[Devourment]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Injection |first=Metal |date=2010-08-10 |title=CANNIBAL CORPSE, DYING FETUS, VITAL REMAINS, DEVOURMENT join forces for most vulgar sounding tour package ever |url=https://metalinjection.net/news/cannibal-corpse-dying-fetus-vital-remains-devourment-join-forces-vulgar-sounding-tour-package |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Metal Injection |language=en-US}}</ref>

===''Torture'', ''A Skeletal Domain'' and ''Red Before Black'' (2012–2019)===
{{Main|Torture (album)|A Skeletal Domain|Red Before Black}}
[[File:Alex Webster mit Cannibal Corpse in Rostock, 2012.jpg|thumb|Bassist Alex Webster performing in [[Rostock]] in 2012|300x300px]]Cannibal Corpse released its twelfth studio album, ''[[Torture (album)|Torture]]'', in March 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=162880|title=Cannibal Corpse begins recording new album|date=September 6, 2011|publisher=blabbermouth.net|access-date=September 6, 2011}}</ref> Two early bands of the members reunited for one respective benefit concert each for Tony Lorenzo of the group Sons Of Azrael in January 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metallian.com/cannibalcorpse.php|title=Cannibal Corpse History|website=metallian|access-date=August 1, 2022|date=August 1, 2022}}</ref> The band toured the US from late 2012 into early 2013 with [[Misery Index (band)|Misery Index]] and [[Hour of Penance]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=CANNIBAL CORPSE announces Fall headlining U.S. tour {{!}} Metal Blade Records |url=https://www.metalblade.com/us/news/cannibal-corpse-announces-fall-headlining-u-s-tour/ |access-date=2025-05-20 |language=en-US}}</ref>

In February 2014, Cannibal Corpse announced that they had begun recording their thirteenth album, ''[[A Skeletal Domain]]'', which was released on September 16. "Sadistic Embodiment" was released as a single in July. All the song titles of the forthcoming album were announced on the same day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/cannibal-corpse-to-begin-recording-new-album-this-weekend/|title=Cannibal Corpse to begin recording new album this weekend|date=February 13, 2014|publisher=blabbermouth.net|access-date=February 14, 2014}}</ref> The same month, Metal Blade announced the publication of the band's authorized biography ''Bible Of Butchery'', written by the British author [[Joel McIver]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Cannibal Corpse: Authorized Biography 'Bible Of Butchery' Due In September|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/cannibal-corpse-official-authorized-biography-bible-of-butchery-due-in-september/|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=July 3, 2014|access-date=October 18, 2014}}</ref>
[[File:Cannibal Corpse 2019 Hellfest 007.jpg|left|thumb|George Fisher performing at Hellfest in 2019|300x300px]]

In an August 2016 interview, drummer [[Paul Mazurkiewicz]] stated that Cannibal Corpse would likely begin recording a new album in 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cannibal Corpse Has No Problems Coming Up With New Material|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/cannibal-corpse-has-no-problems-coming-up-with-new-material/|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=August 13, 2016|access-date=August 13, 2016}}</ref> In September 2017, the band announced their fourteenth studio album ''[[Red Before Black]]'', which was released on November 3.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/cannibal-corpse-to-release-red-before-black-album-in-november-track-listing-artwork-unveiled/|title=CANNIBAL CORPSE To Release 'Red Before Black' Album In November; Track Listing, Artwork Unveiled|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref>

On December 10, 2018, guitarist Pat O'Brien was arrested for assault and battery; his bail was set at $50,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metalinjection.net/metal-crimes/cannibal-corpse-guitarist-appears-in-court-wearing-anti-suicide-vest-bail-set-at-50000-pending-drug-test|title=CANNIBAL CORPSE Guitarist Appears In Court Wearing Anti-Suicide Vest, Bail Set At $50,000 Pending Drug Test|date=December 11, 2018|website=Metalinjection.net|access-date=November 13, 2019}}</ref> On the eve of the news of his arrest, Cannibal Corpse was announced as one of the supporting acts for [[Slayer]]'s [[Slayer Farewell Tour|final North American tour]], which would take place in the spring of 2019 and also be supported by [[Lamb of God (band)|Lamb of God]] and [[Amon Amarth]].<ref>{{cite news|title=SLAYER Announces North American Tour With LAMB OF GOD, AMON AMARTH, CANNIBAL CORPSE; BLABBERMOUTH.NET Presale|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/slayer-announces-north-american-tour-with-lamb-of-god-amon-amarth-cannibal-corpse-blabbermouth-net-presale/|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=December 13, 2018|date=December 10, 2018}}</ref> On January 18, 2019, Cannibal Corpse announced that [[Hate Eternal]] frontman and former [[Morbid Angel]] guitarist [[Erik Rutan]] would fill-in for O'Brien on their future tours.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/cannibal-corpse-recruits-guitarist-erik-rutan-for-upcoming-tours/|title=CANNIBAL CORPSE Recruits Guitarist ERIK RUTAN For Upcoming Tours|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=January 18, 2019}}</ref> The band toured the US with [[Thy Art Is Murder|Thy Art is Murder]] in the fall of 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hartmann |first=Graham|date=2019-08-05 |title=Cannibal Corpse Announce 2019 Tour With Thy Art Is Murder |url=https://loudwire.com/cannibal-corpse-2019-tour-thy-art-is-murder/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=Loudwire |language=en}}</ref>

===''Violence Unimagined'' and ''Chaos Horrific'' (2020–present)===
{{main|Violence Unimagined|Chaos Horrific}}
Cannibal Corpse entered the studio in June 2020 to begin recording their fifteenth studio album.<ref>{{cite web|last=Blabbermouth|date=2020-06-02|title=CANNIBAL CORPSE Is In Studio Recording New Album|url=https://search.blabbermouth.net/news/cannibal-corpse-is-in-studio-recording-new-album/|access-date=2020-08-28|website=Blabbermouth.net|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001171628/http://search.blabbermouth.net/news/cannibal-corpse-is-in-studio-recording-new-album/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On February 1, 2021, the band announced that the album, ''[[Violence Unimagined]]'', would be released on April 16.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2021/02/01/news/cannibal-corpse-to-release-new-album-violence-unimagined-in-april/|title=Cannibal Corpse To Release New Album "Violence Unimagined" In April|website=ThePRP|access-date=February 1, 2021|date=February 1, 2021}}</ref> They released a music video for the song "Inhumane Harvest" from the album in February. The music video was largely inspired by the [[Saw (franchise)|''Saw'' movie franchise]].<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-02-24|title=Cannibal Corpse Releases NSFW Gorefest Video for New Song "Inhumane Harvest"|url=https://music.mxdwn.com/2021/02/24/news/cannibal-corpse-releases-nsfw-gorefest-video-for-new-song-inhuman-harvest/|access-date=2021-03-11|website=mxdwn Music|language=en-US}}</ref> The band also announced that live guitarist [[Erik Rutan]] has officially joined the band full-time,<ref>{{cite web|date=February 2, 2021|title=CANNIBAL CORPSE Announces 'Violence Unimagined' Album, Officially Recruits Guitarist ERIK RUTAN|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/cannibal-corpse-announces-violence-unimagined-album-officially-recruits-guitarist-erik-rutan/|access-date=February 2, 2021|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]}}</ref> in spite of that it is currently uncertain as to whether or not lead guitarist O'Brien will return to the group following his 2018 legal troubles.

In early 2022, the band toured the US with [[Whitechapel]] and [[Revocation (band)|Revocation]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sacher |first=Andrew |title=Cannibal Corpse announce 2022 tour with Whitechapel and Revocation |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/cannibal-corpse-announce-2022-tour-with-whitechapel-and-revocation/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=BrooklynVegan |language=en-US}}</ref> In fall of 2022, the band toured the US with [[Dark Funeral]], [[Immolation (band)|Immolation]] and [[Black Anvil]]'''.'''<ref>{{Cite web |last=wookubus |date=2022-11-23 |title=A Security Guard's Reaction To Cannibal Corpse Introducing One Of Their Most Infamous Tracks Has Gone Viral |url=https://www.theprp.com/2022/11/23/news/a-security-guards-reaction-to-cannibal-corpse-introducing-one-of-their-most-infamous-tracks-has-gone-viral/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=Theprp.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

By January 2023, Cannibal Corpse had begun working on their sixteenth studio album, which was listed by ''[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]]'' magazine as one of the "55 Most Anticipated Albums" of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/55-most-anticipated-albums-2023#cannibal-corpse|title=55 Most Anticipated Albums of 2023|website=[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]]|date=January 1, 2023|access-date=January 5, 2023}}</ref> On June 22, 2023, the band released a new single "Blood Blind" and announced their next record, ''[[Chaos Horrific]]'', would be released on September 22, 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Keenan |first1=Hesher |title=New Cannibal Corpse Album Chaos Horrific Announced with New Single "Blood Blind |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2023/06/22/new-cannibal-corpse-album-chaos-horrific-announced-with-new-single-blood-blind/ |website=MetalSucks |date=June 22, 2023 |access-date=23 June 2023}}</ref>

In 2023, the band toured the US on a co-headlining tour with [[Mayhem (band)|Mayhem]], along with [[Gorguts]] and [[Blood Incantation]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Enis |first=Eli |title=CANNIBAL CORPSE and MAYHEM announce co-headlining tour |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/events/cannibal-corpse-and-mayhem-announce-co-headlining-tour/ |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=Revolver |language=en-US}}</ref> The band toured Europe in the fall of 2024 with [[Municipal Waste (band)|Municipal Waste]] and [[Immolation (band)|Immolation]]. During this tour, Erik Rutan's house suffered "catastrophic" damage from [[Hurricane Helene]], which forced him to leave the tour early. The band completed the tour with Barrett assuming all guitar duties.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2024-09-28 |title=CANNIBAL CORPSE Guitarist ERIK RUTAN's Florida Home Sustains 'Catastrophic Damage' From Hurricane Helene |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/cannibal-corpse-guitarist-erik-rutans-florida-home-sustains-catastrophic-damage-from-hurricane-helene |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=DiVita |first=Joe|date=2024-09-30 |title=Cannibal Corpse Guitarist's Home Has 'Catastrophic' Hurricane Damage |url=https://loudwire.com/cannibal-corpse-erik-rutan-house-damage-hurrican-helene/ |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Loudwire |language=en}}</ref>

The band announced a headlining tour of the US for the fall of 2025 with support from [[Municipal Waste (band)|Municipal Waste]] and Fulci.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Theron |date=2025-05-12 |title=News: Cannibal Corpse Announce North American Headlining Tour |url=https://newnoisemagazine.com/news-cannibal-corpse-announce-north-american-headlining-tour/ |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=New Noise Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>