Death metal legends Cannibal Corpse are back with album number 15 Violence Unimagined, their eleventh helmed by George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher. The new disc has longtime producer and death metal legend in his own right Erik Rutan (Hate Eternal, Morbid Angel, Ripping Corpse) becoming a full-time member of the band, adding his own bombast to the beatings that Cannibal Corpse are usually responsible for. Does the band continue to be one of the most consistent death metal, or metal bands in existence?
The beginning of the album is exactly what you would want, kicking things off with “Murderous Rampage” in a “How did they not already use this title through 14 previous albums already?” kind of way. Corpsegrinder sounds great as always, joined in lock step with Rob Barrett and the aforementioned Rutan. Paul Mazurkiewicz’s drums are explosive and high in the mix on “Inhumane Harvest,” met with the fat and wobbly bass of Alex Webster, continuing the constant crushing grooves that help Cannibal Corpse to bludgeon their way through your aural cavities.
“Surround, Kill, Devour” builds up steam as the drums build around Corpsegrinder’s vocals and sway back and forth between the guitarists with the bass holding the fracas together like super glue; the very definition of a well-oiled machine just doing their thing and doing it exceptionally well. Having recently plowed through all of Corpsegrinder’s Cannibal Corpse output, Violence Unimagined is one of the most cohesive records he has recorded with the band, up there with Bloodthirst, Kill and Evisceration Plague.
Death metal fans have been looking forward to a new release by these beasts and that should come as no surprise. Cannibal Corpse have always been remarkably consistent, especially since the introduction of their now longtime frontman into the mix. Violence Unimagined takes what the band has already been doing and replaced one guitarist for an even better one. Go out there and blare this auditory bloodshed for all to hear, this is a total ripper.
(released April 16, 2021 on Metal Blade Records)
Heavy Music HQ Rating:
Watch Cannibal Corpse – “Inhumane Harvest” Video
