Kicked In The Face - Short. Honest. Unhindered by popular opinion Kickedintheface.com - Metal reviews and opinions

Metal Reviews testimonials Go here to discuss this review

Cannibal Corpse - The Bleeding
1994 Metal Blade
 Cannibal Corpse - The Bleeding

Track Listing:
1.  Staring Through The Eyes Of The Dead
2.  Fucked With A Knife
3.  Stripped, Raped, And Strangled
4.  Pulverized
5.  Return To Flesh
6.  The Pick-Axe Murders
7.  She Was Asking For It
8.  The Bleeding
9.  Force Fed Broken Glass
10. An Experiment In Homicide

Line-Up:
Vocals:  Chris Barnes
Guitar:  Rob Barrett, Jack Owen
Bass:  Alex Webster
Drums:  Paul Mazurkiewicz

Website:  www.cannibalcorpse.net

Skin Splitter's Rating:  A
Average Rating:  A

Skin Splitter's Review:
 When someone mentions death metal, Cannibal Corpse is usually discussed, and they should be.  Why?  Because Cannibal Corpse is one of the rare death metal bands with a "trademark", distinguished sound.  If you listen to it enough, you will be able to tell the difference between songs (and albums) which is sometimes very difficult to do when listening to death metal.  Cannibal Corpse's original sound comes from 5 distinguished elements that when combined produces the gateway straight to hell.  Element 1 is tempo.  They can play fast (preferred) or slow and still make hellish sounds.  Element 2 Bass (who knew)!  Alex Webster is the best bassist in death metal and the best part is that you get to hear him!  Element 3 great drummer.  The combination of (sir) Webster and (sir) Mazurkiewicz playing together creates a wonderful foundation for great song writing.  Element 4 great guitar work!  Unlike most metal, Cannibal Corpse uses every string!  Grinding lows, screaming highs, squealing harmonics (oh lord the harmonics....) and both guitarists can play solos and feed off each other.  Element 5 the vocals of hell.  This is usually where "normal" people of the world tune out death metal.  Cannibal Corpse uses low grunting vocals used to scare the crap out of you and make Barry White cry, but, with all the other elements going, what else could the vocals be?  They have to be hellishly low, and they are.  This creates sound and style with no weak links.

Yeah great, but what about the album?  Oh right!  Well, this album is everything death metal should be and should be played for anybody who is interested.  Or, bring it to parties, funerals, divorces, baby showers, and any other social gathering in which you want people to leave.  This album will do it, but is the album really that good?  Hell yeah and change!  Each song is at least an A on the Skin Split-o-Meter rating system.  But...But... BUT NOTHING!  This album is really that good for the following reasons.  Great production that allows you to hear every instrument individually, distinguishable songs, grinding lows, screaming highs, squealing harmonics, and an uncompromising attitude that causes the cats down the street to cry when they hear it.  This is defiantly worth a listen.  The only drawback (or redeeming quality if you don't like it) is that it's short.

Song summaries include...

  1. Staring Through The Eyes Of The Dead - Great intro song!  Actually great everything!  A
  2. Fucked With A Knife - How do we follow the last song? Let's make it faster, change tempo a few times and have a bass solo!  A+
  3. Stripped, Raped And Strangled - If you like mosh pitting, you can do it to this song.  Nice slow intro, followed right into chaos!  A
  4. Pulverized - Remember when I said the guitarists use all the strings?  This is a great example. Listen to the tempo change at 1:55.  It hurts.  Has some harmonics thrown in as well!  A
  5. Return To Flesh - Slow lurching intro, then comes the speed, and then yet another tempo change.  A
  6. The Pick-Axe Murders - I'll be back, I brought my axe.  Enough said.  A
  7. She Was Asking For It - My favorite song on the album.  Crazy guitar and bass work!  Then back to straight up hurt.  Slayer like solos as well.  A+
  8. The Bleeding - A song that's pretty straight forward musically.  Nothing too phenomenal or distinguishing on this song, but fun none the less!  A-
  9. Force Fed Broken Glass - This song has it all!  Death metal intro, tempo and guitar changes with harmonics that causes the concrete to crack.  Listen to the outro part carefully for the bass work!  A+
  10. An Experiment In Homicide - Listen to the bass on this one.  It's just like all the other songs, phenomenal!  A

Skin Splitter's Rating:  A

Also be sure to read:
 Cannibal Corpse - Bloodthirst by Skin Splitter
 Cannibal Corpse - Gallery Of Suicide by Skin Splitter
Cannibal Corpse - Live Cannibalism by Uncle Meat
 Cannibal Corpse - Tomb Of The Mutilated by Skin Splitter
 Cannibal Corpse - The Wretched Pawn by Skin Splitter

Discography (last updated 10.22.05):
Eaten Back To Life - 1990
Butchered At Birth - 1991
Tomb Of The Mutilated - 1992
Hammer Smashed Face EP - 1993
The Bleeding - 1994
Vile - 1996
Gallery Of Suicide - 1998
Bloodthirst - 1999
Live Cannibalism - 2000
Gore Obsessed - 2002
Worm Infested EP - 2002
15 Years Killing Spree box set - 2003
The Wretched Spawn - 2004