Evisceration Plague

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = Evisceration Plague | type = studio | artist = [[Cannibal Corpse]] | cover = Evisceration_plague.jpg | released = {{Start date |2009|2|3}}<ref name="MB album site">{{cite web |url=http://www.metalblade.com/us/releases/cannibal-corpse-evisceration-plague/ |title=Cannibal Corpse "Evisceration Plague" - Metal Blade Records |author=Staff writer(s) |date= |website=www.metalblade.com |publisher=[[Metal Blade Records]] |access-date=February 12, 2015}}</ref> | recorded = September–October, 2008 | venue = | studio = Mana Recording Studios (St. Petersburg, Florida) | genre = [[Death metal]] | length = {{Duration |m=38 |s=45}} | label = [[Metal Blade Records|Metal Blade]] | producer = [[Erik Rutan]] | prev_title = [[Kill (Cannibal Corpse album)|Kill]] | prev_year = 2006 | next_title = [[Torture (album)|Torture]] | next_year = 2012 }}

'''''Evisceration Plague''''' is the eleventh studio album by American [[death metal]] band [[Cannibal Corpse]]. Released on February 3, 2009 by [[Metal Blade Records]], the album was produced at Mana Recording Studios by [[Hate Eternal]] guitarist [[Erik Rutan]].

The album entered the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] at number 66,<ref name="Billboard200"/> selling 9,600 copies its first week.<ref name="Metal By Numbers 2/11">{{cite web |url=http://www.metalinsider.net/columns/metal-by-numbers/metal-by-numbers-211-death-metal-in-top-100-of-corpse |title=Metal By Numbers – 2/11 – Death Metal In Top 100? Of Corpse! - Metal Insider |last1=Teitelman |first1=Bram |website=www.metalinsider.net |date=11 February 2009 |accessdate=February 12, 2015}}</ref>

==Background and recording== Bassist [[Alex Webster]] said about the record: In Cannibal Corpse, our goal has always been to try and make each new album we record our heaviest. That goal was a bit more challenging this time since we were extremely satisfied with our last album ''[[Kill (Cannibal Corpse album)|Kill]]'', but we knew that by working with producer Erik Rutan at Mana Recording Studios again, we would be able to start at that same level of heaviness and take it even further... ''Evisceration Plague'' has the best guitar sound we've ever recorded, and the entire band has never played with more precision and power.<ref>{{cite web|title=CANNIBAL CORPSE: New Album Title, Track Listing Revealed - Nov. 3, 2008 |publisher=blabbermouth.net |date=2008-11-03 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=108191 |accessdate=2008-11-03 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221095641/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=108191 |archivedate=2008-12-21 }}</ref> In another interview with ''[[Terrorizer (magazine)|Terrorizer]]'' magazine, drummer [[Paul Mazurkiewicz]] stated his thoughts on the album saying: "I think working with Erik again has definitely brought things up a little for us. I mean all the band were involved in the writing process of this album along with Rutan and so I think this one's a tad more individual than ''[[Kill (Cannibal Corpse album)|Kill]]''."{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

It was the first album in which Mazurkiewicz used a click track to record.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DiVita |first=Joe DiVitaJoe |date=2024-03-19 |title=Cannibal Corpse Albums Ranked From Worst to Best |url=https://loudwire.com/cannibal-corpse-albums-ranked/ |access-date=2025-09-05 |website=Loudwire |language=en}}</ref>

==Music== According to Greg Pratt of ''[[Exclaim!]]'', the album continues in the style ss ''Kill'', and contains "huge death metal songs". Drummer [[Paul Mazurkiewicz]] said, "''Evisceration'' basically continued what we did on ''Kill.'' The only thing different is now we're refining a bit more so by incorporating a [[click track]] for the first time, writing and recording with that. We've never worked that way before. Now we're taking ''Kill'', which I believe was a very savage and a very tight record, and now we're writing and recording to the click track, which is going to make it even more precise."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cannibal Corpse │ Exclaim! |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/cannibal_corpse-staring_through_eyes_of_banned |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Cannibal Corpse │ Exclaim! |language=en}}</ref>

==Release and promotion== A video was produced for the song "Priests of Sodom". The video was released on March 25, 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=54357|title=Cannibal Corpse Posts New Music Video For "Priests Of Sodom" Online}}</ref>

== Reception == {{Music ratings | rev1 = [[About.com]] | rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="about.com review">{{cite web |url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/cannibaleviscer.htm |title=Cannibal Corpse Evisceration Plague Review - Review of Evisceration Plague by Cannibal Corpse |last1=Bowar |first1=Chad |website=heavymetal.about.com |publisher=[[About.com]] |access-date=February 12, 2015 |archive-date=April 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404014814/http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/cannibaleviscer.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> | rev2 = [[AllMusic]] | rev2Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="AM review">{{AllMusic |class=album |id=mw0000804292 |label=''Evisceration Plague'' - Cannibal Corpse |last=Prato |first=Greg |accessdate=February 12, 2015}}</ref> | rev3 = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | rev3Score = 7.5/10<ref name="BM review">{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/cdreviews/evisceration-plague/ |title=CD Reviews - Evisceration Plague Cannibal Corpse - Blabbermouth.net |last1=Alisoglu |first1=Scott |website=www.blabbermouth.net |date=2 February 2009 |publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |access-date=February 12, 2015}}</ref> | rev4 = ''[[Exclaim!]]'' | rev4Score = positive<ref name="exclaim review 1">{{cite web |url=http://exclaim.ca/Music/article/cannibal_corpse-evisceration_plague |title=Cannibal Corpse Evisceration Plague |last1=Deneau |first1=Max |date=February 9, 2009 |website=exclaim.ca |access-date=February 12, 2015}}</ref> | rev5 = ''Exclaim!'' | rev5Score = positive<ref name="exclaim review 2">{{cite web |url=http://exclaim.ca/Music/article/cannibal_corpse-evisceration_plague_2 |title=Cannibal Corpse Evisceration Plague |last1=Falzon |first1=Denise |date=February 17, 2009 |website=exclaim.ca |access-date=February 12, 2015}}</ref> | rev6 = ''[[Metal Forces]]'' | rev6Score = 8.5/10<ref name="MF review">{{cite web |url=http://www.metalforcesmagazine.com/site/album-review-cannibal-corpse-evisceration-plague/ |title=CANNIBAL CORPSE – Evisceration Plague (2009) - Album / EP Reviews @ Metal Forces Magazine |last1=Fisher |first1=Mark |website=www.metalforcesmagazine.com |publisher=[[Metal Forces]] |access-date=February 12, 2015}}</ref> | rev7 = [[Metal Storm (webzine)|Metal Storm]] | rev7Score = 7.8/10<ref name="MS review">{{cite web |url=http://www.metalstorm.net/pub/review.php?review_id=6418 |title=Cannibal Corpse - Evisceration Plague review - Metal Storm |author=Herzebeth |date=February 20, 2009 |website=www.metalstorm.net |publisher=[[Metal Storm (webzine)|Metal Storm]] |access-date=February 12, 2015}}</ref> | rev8 = [[PopMatters]] | rev8Score = {{Rating|8|10}}<ref name="PM review">{{cite web |url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/70025-cannibal-corpse-evisceration-plague/ |title=Cannibal Corpse: Evisceration Plague - PopMatters |last1=Begrand |first1=Adrien |date=February 12, 2009 |website=www.popmatters.com |publisher=[[PopMatters]] |access-date=February 12, 2015}}</ref> | rev9 = ''[[Record Collector]]'' | rev9Score = {{Rating|4|4}}<ref name="RC review">{{cite web |url=http://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/evisceration-plague |title=Evisceration Plague - Record Collector Magazine |last1=McIver |first1=Joel |website=recordcollectormag.com |publisher=Diamond Publishing |access-date=February 12, 2015}}</ref> | rev10 = [[Sputnikmusic]] | rev10Score = 4.0/5<ref name="SM review">{{cite web |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/28914/Cannibal-Corpse-Evisceration-Plague/ |title=Review: Cannibal Corpse - Evisceration Plague - Sputnikmusic |last1=Spencer |first1=Trey |date=January 29, 2009 |website=www.sputnikmusic.com |publisher=Sputnikmusic |access-date=February 12, 2015}}</ref> | noprose = yes }} ''Evisceration Plague'' received highly positive reviews from critics upon its release. Greg Prato of [[AllMusic]] awarded the album 3.5 stars out of 5, stating, "All the expected elements of a solid Cannibal Corpse recording are present -- metronome-like precision drumming, razor-sharp riffing, guttural growls akin to a caveman, and dark lyrics. Go ahead and take a pick of any of the tracks here ("Priests of Sodom," "To Decompose," the title track, etc.), and you're in for an intense metallic onslaught." Prato concluded that the album "shows that 11 studio releases into their career, Cannibal Corpse remain one gnarly group of metalheads."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0000804292 | title=Evisceration Plague - Cannibal Corpse | Album | AllMusic | website=[[AllMusic]] }}</ref>

Denise Falzon of [[Exclaim!]] also praised the album, stating that "in terms of technicality and style, Cannibal Corpse surpass expectations. With insanely fast drumming and some of the most threatening blast-beats imaginable, drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz delivers his finest performance yet. Guitarists Rob Barrett and Pat O'Brien shred through heavy riffs with supersonic speed, while bassist Alex Webster uses sporadic tempos, giving tracks like 'A Cauldron Of Hate' a menacing atmosphere. And George 'Corpsegrinder' Fisher's vocals are as merciless as ever." Falzon concluded, "Cannibal Corpse have remained consistent with their standard themes of death and mutilation, and the imagery of disembowelment continues with 'Beheading And Burning,' 'Shatter Their Bones' and the severely gruesome 'Skewered From Ear To Eye.'"<ref>{{cite web | url=https://exclaim.ca/Music/article/cannibal_corpse-evisceration_plague_2 | title=Cannibal Corpse │ Exclaim! }}</ref>

Mark Fisher of [[Metal Forces]] scored the album an 8.5/10, commenting, "There is something about the down-tuned, bent sound of the guitars as they spiral out of control, while the rhythm section holds the song together, that is entirely addictive. It’s like watching a train wreck; you just can’t pull yourself away from it." Fisher added, "The rest of the album is simply more pure brutality set to complex guitar work and groove-heavy rhythms, it’s formulaic at its core but it sets itself apart from the pack by the masterful musicianship of all involved."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.metalforcesmagazine.com/site/album-review-cannibal-corpse-evisceration-plague/ | title=CANNIBAL CORPSE – Evisceration Plague (2009) | Album / EP Reviews @ Metal Forces Magazine }}</ref>

==Track listing== {{Track listing | total_length = 38:45

| title1 = Priests of Sodom | lyrics1 = [[Alex Webster]] | music1 = Webster | length1 = 3:31

| title2 = Scalding Hail | lyrics2 = Webster | music2 = {{flatlist| * [[Rob Barrett]] * Webster }} | length2 = 1:46

| title4 = A Cauldron of Hate | lyrics4 = Webster | music4 = Webster | length4 = 4:59

| title5 = Beheading and Burning | lyrics5 = Webster | music5 = Webster | length5 = 2:15

| title6 = Evidence in the Furnace | lyrics6 = Webster | music6 = Webster | length6 = 2:48

| title7 = Carnivorous Swarm | lyrics7 = Mazurkiewicz | music7 = O'Brien | length7 = 3:36

| title8 = Evisceration Plague | lyrics8 = Webster | music8 = Webster | length8 = 4:30

| title9 = Shatter Their Bones | lyrics9 = Barrett | music9 = Barrett | length9 = 3:35

| title10 = Carrion Sculpted Entity | lyrics10 = Mazurkiewicz | music10 = Mazurkiewicz | length10 = 2:33

| title11 = Unnatural | lyrics11 = Webster | music11 = Webster | length11 = 2:22

| title12 = Skewered from Ear to Eye | lyrics12 = Webster | music12 = Webster | length12 = 3:49 }} {{Track listing | headline = European edition bonus track

| title13 = Skull Fragment Armor | lyrics13 = Webster | music13 = Webster | length13 = 2:10 }}

== Credits == Writing, performance and production credits are adapted from the album liner notes.<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |title=Evisceration Plague |others=[[Cannibal Corpse]] |year=2009 |type=liner notes |publisher=[[Metal Blade Records]]}}</ref>

===Personnel=== ====Cannibal Corpse==== * [[George Fisher (musician)|George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher]] – vocals * [[Pat O'Brien (guitarist)|Pat O'Brien]] – lead guitar * [[Rob Barrett]] – rhythm guitar * [[Alex Webster]] – bass * [[Paul Mazurkiewicz]] – drums

====Guest musicians==== * [[Erik Rutan]] – [[guitar solo]] on "Unnatural"

====Production==== * Erik Rutan – [[Record producer|production]], [[Audio engineer|engineering]], [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]] * Shawn Ohtani – additional engineering * Brian Elliot – additional engineering * Mike McCracken – studio drum assistant * Alan Douches – [[Audio mastering|mastering]] * [[Neil Kernon]] – production, mixing only "Skull Fragment Armor" * Justion Leeah – engineering only "Skull Fragment Armor"

====Artwork and design==== * [[Vince Locke|Vincent Locke]] – [[cover art]] * Brian Ames – [[design]] * Alex Solca – [[photography]]

===Studios=== * Mana Recording Studios, [[St. Petersburg, Florida|St. Petersburg, FL]], [[United States|USA]] – [[Sound recording and reproduction|recording]], mixing * West Westside Music – mastering * [[Sonic Ranch]], [[Tornillo, Texas|Tornillo, TX]], USA – recording only "Skull Fragment Armor"

==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |- !Chart !Peak<br/>position |- |{{Album chart|Austria|41|artist=Cannibal Corpse|album=Evisceration Plague}} |- |{{Album chart|Wallonia|71|artist=Cannibal Corpse|album=Evisceration Plague}} |- |{{Album chart|Finland|25|artist=Cannibal Corpse|album=Evisceration Plague}} |- |{{Album chart|Germany|42|id=104608|artist=Cannibal Corpse|album=Evisceration Plague}} |- |{{Album chart|Oricon|200|M|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/56301/products/805398/1/|title=エヴァイスレイション・プレイグ - カンニバル・コープス - ORICON STYLE}} |- {{album chart|UKIndependent|22|date=20090208}} |- {{Album chart|UKRock|17|date=20090208}} |- |{{Album chart|Billboard200|66|artist=Cannibal Corpse|refname="Billboard200"}} |- |{{Album chart|BillboardIndependent|6|artist=Cannibal Corpse}} |- |{{Album chart|BillboardHardRock|7|artist=Cannibal Corpse}} |- |{{Album chart|BillboardRock|22|artist=Cannibal Corpse}} |- |{{Album chart|BillboardTastemaker|7|artist=Cannibal Corpse}} |- |}

==References== {{Reflist|40em}}

==External links== * {{AllMusic |class=album |id=mw0000804292 |label=''Evisceration Plague''}} * [http://www.metalblade.com/us/releases/cannibal-corpse-evisceration-plague/ ''Evisceration Plague''] at [[Metal Blade Records]]

[[Category:2009 albums]] [[Category:Albums produced by Erik Rutan]] [[Category:Cannibal Corpse albums]] [[Category:Metal Blade Records albums]]