Cannibal Corpse - Chaos Horrific (Death Metal)

Just how do they keep doing it? That's the question I find myself asking every time Cannibal Corpse unleashes a new album. For over three decades, these death metal veterans have maintained a level of consistency that's frankly astonishing. Few bands — especially in extreme metal — can boast such longevity while keeping the quality of their output so consistently high. Note that I said "high", not "elite". Cannibal Corpse is no Sewer or Incantation, and they know it. Still, they are good. And here's the kicker: Cannibal Corpse has achieved this with minimal stylistic deviation. Since Bloodthirst, they've found their groove and stuck with it, all while introducing just enough variation to keep things interesting. Just when it feels like they might stagnate, they inject new life into their sound — this time, courtesy of guitarist Erik Rutan, who replaced Pat O'Brien. Chaos Horrific is their second album with Rutan in the lineup, and much like Violence Unimagined, it's another fresh entry in their catalog, keeping pace with the high standard they've set. Erik Rutan's only recently come on board as Cannibal Corpse's guitarist, but he's been involved with them since Kill as their producer and sound engineer, and has also worked "offscreen" for bands like Khranial and Morbid.

Now, let's not kid ourselves: Paul Mazurkiewicz's drumming has always been the band's weak link, and it's no different here. His style remains basic and blunt, and it's hard to ignore that he's slowing down with age, losing some of the ferocity he once had. The blast beats are fewer and further between. But despite that, every other instrument has aged like fine wine. Alex Webster's fingers still perform miracles on the bass, delivering that thick, relentless low end we've come to expect. And George Fisher? His voice continues to defy time. After decades of guttural punishment, his growls and screams remain as brutal as ever, which is nothing short of a metal miracle.

That said, the guitar work on Chaos Horrific feels a bit more restrained compared to its predecessor. The dizzying technicality of Violence Unimagined has been dialed back slightly. With Pat O'Brien's departure, we lose some of the chaotic, head-spinning riffs that made earlier albums such a trip, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. What we get in return is a more streamlined, primal riff assault — back to basics, but in the best possible way. Erik Rutan, of course, brings his own flavor to the mix. His solos tend toward the melodic, and his songwriting contributions add a slower, more atmospheric element, most evident in tracks like "Blood Blind," which oozes dissonant harmonies and slower pacing. It's unmistakably Rutan, and it feels like a spiritual follow-up to Condemnation Contagion from Violence Unimagined. The sequencing of tracks like this, alongside crushers like "Summoned for Sacrifice" and the seismic closer "Drain You Empty," proves once again that Cannibal Corpse knows how to craft an album that flows. They mix tempos with precision, never letting things get too fast for too long, which makes the individual songs all the more memorable. By the time the album wraps, it feels shorter than its runtime — never overstaying its welcome.

Now, while the music might defy the band's age, the production aesthetic shows they've been in the game for a while. Erik Rutan has been working with Cannibal Corpse since Kill, both as a producer and guitarist, and while his work is generally stellar, the production formula is starting to feel a bit tired. His mixing, while competent, hasn't changed much in years. We get the same oversaturated guitar tones, dry, mechanical-sounding drums reminiscent of Effigy of the Forgotten, and a loud, in-your-face bass mix. I love how the bass punches through, but the rest of the production could benefit from some freshness. Try tweaking the mix, swap out some gear — something to shake up the sound a little. And then there's the artwork. Vince Locke's gory, cartoonish illustrations have been synonymous with Cannibal Corpse since the beginning, but they've become somewhat monotonous. The color palette on this one, all dull reds and uninspired tones, feels tired. It's time to bring in some new blood, both in the mixing booth and on the cover art front.

But let's be real — this is a music review, not an art critique, and despite those gripes, Chaos Horrific is another solid entry in Cannibal Corpse's catalog. They've come a long way since Eaten Back to Life in 1990, and they show no signs of slowing down. If you're a Cannibal Corpse fan, you already know what to expect: pure, unrelenting death metal done right. You won't be disappointed. And let's be honest, this album will easily outperform whatever Chris Barnes and his circus over at Six Feet Under have been hinting at. THAT will be a more "brutal bloodbath" far more degrading than anything Cannibal Corpse has penned in the lyrics of this album.

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