Album/EP

Cannibal Corpse - Chaos Horrific (Album Review)

Walladmin

Heavy Metal Wordsmith

Sep 14, 2023

7 min read

Cannibal Corpse - Chaos HorrificReleased: September 22nd, 2023

Line Up:

Alex Webster // BassPaul Mazurkiewicz // DrumsRob Barrett // GuitarsGeorge ‘Corpsegrinder’ Fisher // VocalsErik Rutan // Guitars

Online:

FacebookInstagramTwitter

No question; Cannibal Corpse are the definitive death metal band. Their gore-soaked history is not only littered with iconic albums and songs, but is an ode to consistency and never resting on one’s laurels. There are very few artists from the late 80s that are still writing and releasing new material at the same pace as Cannibal Corpse - regardless of genre. The Buffalo/Florida legends have their style and imagery down to a fine art by this point, and their newest opus 'Chaos Horrific’ is another pillar for their esteemed mausoleum.

The quick turnaround from 2021’s Covid-delayed Violence Unimagined to this, their new LP and 16th full length, is further evidence of the five piece’s admirable work attitude. Opener 'Overlords of Violence’ starts off in the most Cannibal Corpse way possible, with powerchords and choked cymbal hits behind a complex bass lick. A mood setter for the record to come, the instantly grabbing cut is forged from the classic Cannibal Corpse template, as to it’s nine fellow track-mates.

‘Frenzied Feeding’, with it’s excellent ride-cymbal driven riff in the middle, is a solid follow-up to keep the momentum going. The back to back ‘Summoned for Sacrifice’ and ‘Blood Blind’ - also singles for Chaos Horrific - are two more neck-whipping selections to be carved into the Cannibal Corpse songbook. The former’s fist pumping vibe will see it slot into their live set easily, while the instant-classic 'Blood Blind' brings the devastating, headbang-able low-tuned groove only CC can.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh20dk87S4E&pp=ygUPY2FubmliYWwgY29ycHNl

The contributions of Erik Rutan - his sixth Cannibal Corpse effort behind the desk and second in the lead guitarist role - once again slot in perfectly into his new group’s sound, pairing with fellow six-stringer Rob Barrett flawlessly. Chaos Horrific might also boast the best all around production of a Cannibal Corpse LP to date - drummer and founding member Paul Mazurkiewicz has never sounded better. A snappy release - both in bpm’s and runtime - the title tune, ‘Fracture and Refracture’ and ‘Pitchfork Impalement’ all sort of fly by at a similar pace, and by the time it’s gets to the back end it’s become a little one-flavour. Fortunately, the almost doom-ish ‘Drain You Empty’ is a powerhouse closer - and one of their most impressivre album finales ever. With loads of atmosphere and great feel changes, it’s an epic way to close Chaos Horrific.

There’s clearly still plenty of energy and inspiration churning through the veins of Cannibal Corpse, and the fact that they are still adding to their already well stocked arsenal of killer material is impressive to no end. A solid collection of tales about death and torment, Chaos Horrific is not the strongest entry into their back catalogue, but any death metal fan would be doing themselves a disservice to not give it a proper listen. Chaos Horrific proves once more that not only are Cannibal Corpse the kings of death metal, but also the kings of consistency.