The songs have a tendency to creep in but, with repeat spins, an unfortunate trend becomes apparent. Violence Unimagined is a definite grower. As soon as he bellows “fire at will!” it’s an immediate notch on his ever-expanding belt of sing-along cacophonies. His barking turn on the brilliant “Follow the Blood” is another album highlight. George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher’s hulking vocals sound as perpetual as ever as he thunders the apocalyptic finale. The song, whose subject matter should require no explanation, reaches a huge apex before descending into a solo that, were it 1992, would certainly belong to James Murphy. Of particular note, however, is “Condemnation Contagion.” Cannibal Corpse have always matched their splatter lyrics with the appropriate musical themes but it’s rare they utilize abject melodrama. Conversely, first single “Inhumane Harvest” trades in a collection of alternating tempos that recall The Bleeding’s killing formula. “Murderous Rampage” is an atypical opener, which means high energy, palsy-inducing pace and a lot of fun. But, every now and then, a few well-honed jets of arterial spray remind us these gore hounds still know how to bare their teeth. Violence Unimagined is, by and large, business as usual. While I can’t be sure just how much input he had on the writing process, his presence appears to have at least inspired a little creativity. Since the much publicized circumstances surrounding the departure of longtime guitarist Pat O’Brien, death metal royalty Erik Rutan has stepped in to fill the void. However, 2017’s Red Before Black was about as rote as I’ve ever heard the band. Deceptive technicality and single-minded pugilism meet in the middle for a memorable experience. But, for those of us who court the Corpse, the record provides spleen aplenty.Ĭannibal Corpse have always successfully captured my attention with their ability to combine fluidity with density. But then who needs killer riffs, memorable (meat) hooks and powerhouse vocals… Fifteen albums in and Violence Unimagined is unlikely to quell any elitist unrest. It is forever beyond me how any death metal aficionado can turn their nose up at an act as effective as Cannibal Corpse. Yet, all too often, their name is accompanied by inexplicable eye-rolling. Their discography contains many a predatory précis on a genre they helped define. Opaque riffs, furious vocals and a trajectory more certain than cradle to grave. This is a band that almost infamously represents death metal in its purist form. I said it in 2017 and I’ll say it again: I fucking love Cannibal Corpse.
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