Interview: Bassist Alex Webster of Cannibal Corpse and Blotted Science

KILL!

Cannibal Corpse is one of the best death metal bands on the planet, if not the best. Their brand of sickening brutality has pushed them to the front of the death metal brigade. Their legacy is undeniably important. Scores of bands have aped their style since the influential quintet formed in 1989. They may not have invented the genre, but the unspeakable lyrics of former frontman Chris Barnes coupled with the relentless blasts and grooves that underpin the beastly vocals have assisted in making Cannibal Corpse the best-selling death metal band of all time. I had a chance to interview bassist Alex Webster, one of only two original members. Webster has a reputation for being one of the nicest guys in the metal community. After meeting him, I have to say that the rumors are definitely true. He could get away with being a jerk, but he is as down-to-earth as human beings get.

The band has just wrapped up the touring cycle behind their latest studio album, the aptly titled Kill. If you aren't familiar with Cannibal Corpse and you want to hear what real metal sounds like, pick up their latest disc pronto. On with the Q&A...

Dom Coccaro: First off, I love the Blotted Science album. Is it a one-off project or will there be future recordings?

Alex Webster: Thanks, glad you like it! I don't know for sure if we'll do another album, but I sure hope so. It's really up to Ron. Ron does the lion's share of the work in the band, so it will probably come down to whether or not he wants to go through the whole process again (Ron produced and edited the album, as well as writing about 85% of the material and playing all of the guitar parts...that's a lot of work!).

DC: Discuss the themes of "The Machinations of Dementia." Who acted as the creative force when it came to the concept?

AW: The album's songs are all inspired by things having to do with the brain. Ron was definitely the main creative force behind the concept.

DC: I noticed that the last two tracks are exactly the same length. Is there something to that?