Cannibal Corpse
Probably the most important Death Metal band ever, Cannibal Corpse is back in business with the long awaited brand new album called "Evisceration Plague"! So it was a real pleasure to get in touch with Alex Webster, band bassist, via David Gregory from Metal Blade, and look what I've got for you.
Arcana Noctis: Hello America, hello Cannibal Corpse!!! How are the things going on out there now that you have passed 20 years of extreme Metal destruction and you have released your brand new album called "Evisceration Plague"?
Alex: We're just extremely happy to be out on tour again in support of our new album. Things are going strong, we're definitely ready for another 20 years of Death Metal!
Arcana Noctis: First of all I would like you to tell us a few words about your previous material "Centuries Of Torment"; and it would be very interesting to know something about the feedback that you have received concerning this anniversary DVD which was released under the banner of Metal Blade back in 2008?!
Alex: Our fans really seem to love the "Centuries Of Torment DVD". It shows the history of our band as well as a lot of live footage and bonus features. The film maker Denise Korycki did a fantastic job on the DVD. We are very happy with it and the fans seem to be too.
Arcana Noctis: Although Cannibal Corpse was born in 1987, you decided to release the anniversary DVD 21 years later! Can you tell us why did you released this DVD one year later and what exactly do you want to express with "Centuries Of Torment"?
Alex: Cannibal Corpse was formed in December of 1988. The DVD starts our history talking about our old bands which were active in 1987 and 1988. So, the DVD was actually released a few months before our 20th Anniversary. The idea of doing a history DVD was actually Denise Korycki's. We thought it was a good time to do that to celebrate our 20 years as a band.
Arcana Noctis: I would like to remember to our readers that this DVD collector contains 3 discs! But I would like to talk a little bit about the first one who "speaks" about a very impressive period from your band career, that one when in band's line-up was Chris Barnes. Now that many years have passed are you still disappointed by his attitude concerning Cannibal Corpse, by the fact that he decided to go on with his project called Six Feet Under?
Alex: Chris didn't say anything that bothered me in the DVD. We are the ones who fired him, so if he were angry about it that would certainly be his right. However, he seems quite content with his situation in Six Feet Under and we are happy with Corpsegrinder, so both parties are happy and everything is cool between us.
Arcana Noctis: I'm asking you that because I've read an interesting interview made by the French magazine called Metallian in which Chris said that thanks to this DVD you gave him an opportunity to speak about that replacement from Cannibal Corpse line-up! Is that true that you are still friends and you did some gigs together in the latest years, contrary to a lot of people who think that the relations between you are dead?
Alex: Well, we don't see each other too often, but when we do see each other everything is totally cool. We have played a couple of shows together and they went very well. Maybe we'll even tour together in the future, who knows. We are happy that Chris participated in the DVD and gave his side of the story. His participation in the DVD made it that much more interesting, and made the story that much more complete.
Arcana Noctis: A few months later you released your new album called "Evisceration Plague", Cannibal Corpse 12th full length! Could you please introduce us this new material, starting with the technical details?! Also, don't forget to mention about the history of each song and tell us if you are happy with the outcome!!!
Alex: Actually, this is our 11th full length album, unless you include the live album. Anyway, we started writing the album in January 2008 and began recording in September 2008. We recorded at Mana Studios with Erik Rutan as producer. Each song is different and was written to be as heavy as possible. To describe the differences between each would be difficult. Suffice it to say that each has its own character, but is still a heavy Death Metal song. We are very satisfied with the outcome, but we can certainly do even better on the next album. We never stop working on improving our band.
Arcana Noctis: As I can see the cover artwork goes in the same direction with your previous materials! Who was charged to make this booklet and tell us if this is the original artwork that you thought for "Evisceration Plague"?
Alex: Vincent Locke did our artwork once again, he has contributed artwork to all of our albums. We gave Vincent the lyrics and song titles for the album and let him create art based on those. We think he did a great job once again.
Arcana Noctis: Do you consider that the lyrical content of this album fits perfectly with the musical one and with the cover artwork?
Alex: Yes, I think that the lyrics, music, and artwork for "Evisceration Plague" all work together well. They are all dark and aggressive.
Arcana Noctis: How do you see this brand new compared to the previous material called "Kill"? Is "Evisceration Plague" the most important step from Cannibal Corpse history?
Alex: We have tried to make each of our albums better and heavier than any before them. So, each new album is the most important one we made. As far as comparing "Kill" to "Evisceration Plague" goes, I would say that they have a similar production but the songs are fairly different from one another. The songs on "Evisceration Plague" have more dark melody than the songs on Kill.
Arcana Noctis: Are you gonna make a video clip to promote "Evisceration Plague" as it deserve? And I really hope that it will be more interesting than "Make Them Suffer" or "Death Walking Terror", the last one being one of my favourites!
Alex: Yes, we are making a clip for "Evisceration Plague", it will be very appropriate for that song. You will just have to see it for yourself I think, because describing it would be difficult.
Arcana Noctis: Can you tell us what do you have in mind concerning this album and if there are some plans concerning band live activity?
Alex: We have a full schedule of touring prepared for 2009. We hope to play as many different places as possible. Any place where there are Death Metal fans we will try to go.
Arcana Noctis: Although many years have passed from band foundation, Cannibal Corpse is the same aggressive combo and there are no compromises in your career! Is it hard to keep the flame alive after 20 years of extreme Metal activity?
Alex: It's not hard because we still really love Death Metal. We are very lucky to be in the position we are in so we want to take full advantage of it and make the best Death Metal we possibly can.
Arcana Noctis: I'm asking you that because from album to album Cannibal Corpse seems to reach its musical aggressiveness and it goes more brutal, and the "new" musical line fits perfectly with Fisher's vocal score! Do you consider that Cannibal Corpse is more aggressive and brutal today compared to its old times when Chris was the singer?
Alex: Well, we have been continually trying to get heavier over the years, so I think that each album is probably a little more brutal than the previous. So, the albums in the Chris Barnes era were certainly heavy, but we have progressed in an even heavier direction since then.
Arcana Noctis: If you want, in my point of view this awesome band seems to be much more interesting than it was years ago; and I'd like to compare Cannibal Corpse to an old wine, as a figure as speech, or to the WWE Superstar The Undertaker, which is the most important figure in wrestling! How do you see your band compared to the new wave represented by Lividity, Obscenity, Deeds of Flesh and many more to be mention here?
Alex: Thank you! Like I said, we try to constantly improve as musicians and get heavier, I'm glad to see you think we are succeeding. We think the newer bands you mentioned are great, but comparing one band to another is not something we really want to do. The modern Death Metal bands are awesome and brutal in their own right.
Arcana Noctis: Now, I'd like you to tell us a few things about the present Death Metal scene concerning that many bands are back in business after many years of silence?
Alex: I don't know about those bands or why they decided to return to the scene, but of course they are welcome. As for us, we never quit playing even when Death Metal was supposed to be having a decline in popularity. We have always had a good level of success so quitting was never something we even thought about.
Arcana Noctis: Do you agree that Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, Obituary, Deicide and Six Feet Under are the most important bands from "The Champions League" of Death Metal as many people said?
Alex: All of the bands you mentioned are very important for Death Metal, but there are others you could mention as well like Immolation, Krisiun, Nile, Suffocation etc. The list of important bands will be different for each fan.
Arcana Noctis: Because we are closing to the end, could you please tell us what can we expect from Cannibal Corpse in the future? Also don't forget to tell us about your live activity in 2009 and if there are some Romanian dates or not!!!
Alex: We will be touring a LOT over the next two years, and I really hope another Romanian gig is on our schedule. We had a great time there in 2007 so we are eager to return.
Arcana Noctis: Man, that will be all for now. Thanks a lot for the time you speared with me; I wish you "All the Best" and "A Happy New Year". You have the last word to conclude this interview! Happy Birthday to you, Cannibal Corpse!!!
Alex: Thanks so much for the interview, and thank you to all fans and supporters of Cannibal Corpse! See you on tour!!!
Arcana Noctis: Hello America, hello Cannibal Corpse!!! How are the things going on out there now that you have passed 20 years of extreme Metal destruction and you have released your brand new album called "Evisceration Plague"?
Alex: We're just extremely happy to be out on tour again in support of our new album. Things are going strong, we're definitely ready for another 20 years of Death Metal!Arcana Noctis: First of all I would like you to tell us a few words about your previous material "Centuries Of Torment"; and it would be very interesting to know something about the feedback that you have received concerning this anniversary DVD which was released under the banner of Metal Blade back in 2008?!
Alex: Our fans really seem to love the "Centuries Of Torment DVD". It shows the history of our band as well as a lot of live footage and bonus features. The film maker Denise Korycki did a fantastic job on the DVD. We are very happy with it and the fans seem to be too.
Arcana Noctis: Although Cannibal Corpse was born in 1987, you decided to release the anniversary DVD 21 years later! Can you tell us why did you released this DVD one year later and what exactly do you want to express with "Centuries Of Torment"?
Alex: Cannibal Corpse was formed in December of 1988. The DVD starts our history talking about our old bands which were active in 1987 and 1988. So, the DVD was actually released a few months before our 20th Anniversary. The idea of doing a history DVD was actually Denise Korycki's. We thought it was a good time to do that to celebrate our 20 years as a band.
Arcana Noctis: I would like to remember to our readers that this DVD collector contains 3 discs! But I would like to talk a little bit about the first one who "speaks" about a very impressive period from your band career, that one when in band's line-up was Chris Barnes. Now that many years have passed are you still disappointed by his attitude concerning Cannibal Corpse, by the fact that he decided to go on with his project called Six Feet Under?
Alex: Chris didn't say anything that bothered me in the DVD. We are the ones who fired him, so if he were angry about it that would certainly be his right. However, he seems quite content with his situation in Six Feet Under and we are happy with Corpsegrinder, so both parties are happy and everything is cool between us.
Arcana Noctis: I'm asking you that because I've read an interesting interview made by the French magazine called Metallian in which Chris said that thanks to this DVD you gave him an opportunity to speak about that replacement from Cannibal Corpse line-up! Is that true that you are still friends and you did some gigs together in the latest years, contrary to a lot of people who think that the relations between you are dead?
Alex: Well, we don't see each other too often, but when we do see each other everything is totally cool. We have played a couple of shows together and they went very well. Maybe we'll even tour together in the future, who knows. We are happy that Chris participated in the DVD and gave his side of the story. His participation in the DVD made it that much more interesting, and made the story that much more complete.
Arcana Noctis: A few months later you released your new album called "Evisceration Plague", Cannibal Corpse 12th full length! Could you please introduce us this new material, starting with the technical details?! Also, don't forget to mention about the history of each song and tell us if you are happy with the outcome!!!
Alex: Actually, this is our 11th full length album, unless you include the live album. Anyway, we started writing the album in January 2008 and began recording in September 2008. We recorded at Mana Studios with Erik Rutan as producer. Each song is different and was written to be as heavy as possible. To describe the differences between each would be difficult. Suffice it to say that each has its own character, but is still a heavy Death Metal song. We are very satisfied with the outcome, but we can certainly do even better on the next album. We never stop working on improving our band.
Arcana Noctis: As I can see the cover artwork goes in the same direction with your previous materials! Who was charged to make this booklet and tell us if this is the original artwork that you thought for "Evisceration Plague"?
Alex: Vincent Locke did our artwork once again, he has contributed artwork to all of our albums. We gave Vincent the lyrics and song titles for the album and let him create art based on those. We think he did a great job once again.
Arcana Noctis: Do you consider that the lyrical content of this album fits perfectly with the musical one and with the cover artwork?
Alex: Yes, I think that the lyrics, music, and artwork for "Evisceration Plague" all work together well. They are all dark and aggressive.
Arcana Noctis: How do you see this brand new compared to the previous material called "Kill"? Is "Evisceration Plague" the most important step from Cannibal Corpse history?
Alex: We have tried to make each of our albums better and heavier than any before them. So, each new album is the most important one we made. As far as comparing "Kill" to "Evisceration Plague" goes, I would say that they have a similar production but the songs are fairly different from one another. The songs on "Evisceration Plague" have more dark melody than the songs on Kill.
Arcana Noctis: Are you gonna make a video clip to promote "Evisceration Plague" as it deserve? And I really hope that it will be more interesting than "Make Them Suffer" or "Death Walking Terror", the last one being one of my favourites!
Alex: Yes, we are making a clip for "Evisceration Plague", it will be very appropriate for that song. You will just have to see it for yourself I think, because describing it would be difficult.
Arcana Noctis: Can you tell us what do you have in mind concerning this album and if there are some plans concerning band live activity?
Alex: We have a full schedule of touring prepared for 2009. We hope to play as many different places as possible. Any place where there are Death Metal fans we will try to go.
Arcana Noctis: Although many years have passed from band foundation, Cannibal Corpse is the same aggressive combo and there are no compromises in your career! Is it hard to keep the flame alive after 20 years of extreme Metal activity?
Alex: It's not hard because we still really love Death Metal. We are very lucky to be in the position we are in so we want to take full advantage of it and make the best Death Metal we possibly can.
Arcana Noctis: I'm asking you that because from album to album Cannibal Corpse seems to reach its musical aggressiveness and it goes more brutal, and the "new" musical line fits perfectly with Fisher's vocal score! Do you consider that Cannibal Corpse is more aggressive and brutal today compared to its old times when Chris was the singer?
Alex: Well, we have been continually trying to get heavier over the years, so I think that each album is probably a little more brutal than the previous. So, the albums in the Chris Barnes era were certainly heavy, but we have progressed in an even heavier direction since then.
Arcana Noctis: If you want, in my point of view this awesome band seems to be much more interesting than it was years ago; and I'd like to compare Cannibal Corpse to an old wine, as a figure as speech, or to the WWE Superstar The Undertaker, which is the most important figure in wrestling! How do you see your band compared to the new wave represented by Lividity, Obscenity, Deeds of Flesh and many more to be mention here?Alex: Thank you! Like I said, we try to constantly improve as musicians and get heavier, I'm glad to see you think we are succeeding. We think the newer bands you mentioned are great, but comparing one band to another is not something we really want to do. The modern Death Metal bands are awesome and brutal in their own right.
Arcana Noctis: Now, I'd like you to tell us a few things about the present Death Metal scene concerning that many bands are back in business after many years of silence?
Alex: I don't know about those bands or why they decided to return to the scene, but of course they are welcome. As for us, we never quit playing even when Death Metal was supposed to be having a decline in popularity. We have always had a good level of success so quitting was never something we even thought about.
Arcana Noctis: Do you agree that Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, Obituary, Deicide and Six Feet Under are the most important bands from "The Champions League" of Death Metal as many people said?
Alex: All of the bands you mentioned are very important for Death Metal, but there are others you could mention as well like Immolation, Krisiun, Nile, Suffocation etc. The list of important bands will be different for each fan.
Arcana Noctis: Because we are closing to the end, could you please tell us what can we expect from Cannibal Corpse in the future? Also don't forget to tell us about your live activity in 2009 and if there are some Romanian dates or not!!!
Alex: We will be touring a LOT over the next two years, and I really hope another Romanian gig is on our schedule. We had a great time there in 2007 so we are eager to return.
Arcana Noctis: Man, that will be all for now. Thanks a lot for the time you speared with me; I wish you "All the Best" and "A Happy New Year". You have the last word to conclude this interview! Happy Birthday to you, Cannibal Corpse!!!
Alex: Thanks so much for the interview, and thank you to all fans and supporters of Cannibal Corpse! See you on tour!!!