When we first contacted Pat O'Brien from Cannibal Corpse, we honestly thought this would be a kick-ass and bloody interview. But as it turned out, Pat was either too busy or simply didn’t give a fuck about answering the questions. So while we were expecting brutal insight from the cruel legends of Death Metal, what we got were short and cold replies from Pat... :)
MORBIDZINE: Hi! First of all, thank you very much for accepting this interview and taking the time to talk to us. What has the band been up to since the last album Kill? How was the reception in the U.S. and other countries?
PAT O'BRIEN: Yes we are happy with him and will use him again.
MORBIDZINE: You worked with Erik Rutan on the last album, and it was quite successful. Were you satisfied with his work? Do you plan to work with him again on the next record?
PAT O'BRIEN: Yes we are happy with him and will use him again.
MORBIDZINE: How did the audience react during the Brazil tour and your show at Wacken Open Air?
PAT O'BRIEN: Brazil and Wacken were great.
MORBIDZINE: 2004’s The Wretched Spawn was noted for its technical compositions, especially the guitars. Did you intentionally aim for a more technical sound? What influenced that direction?
PAT O'BRIEN: It's a natural progression of the band.
MORBIDZINE: We don't want to single out specific albums, but many fans believe Eaten Back to Life (1990), Butchered at Birth (1991), and Tomb of the Mutilated (1992) are milestones in your career. We see them as masterpieces of Death Metal history. Do you consider these albums special?
PAT O'BRIEN: All Cannibal albums are special in their own way.
MORBIDZINE: Cannibal Corpse tours extensively every year across the globe. Are you generally satisfied with the audience reactions?
PAT O'BRIEN: Yes.
MORBIDZINE: On Gallery of Suicide, you released your first instrumental track, “From Skin to Liquid,” which was a very intriguing song. Who came up with the idea for this?
PAT O'BRIEN: Alex
MORBIDZINE: Some of my personal favorites include “Make Them Suffer,” “Festering in the Crypt,” and “Nothing Left to Mutilate.” Which songs do you enjoy playing live the most?
PAT O'BRIEN: There are none in particular. We like playing them all.
MORBIDZINE: Cannibal Corpse’s sound has always reflected the essence of early '90s Old School Death Metal — which is excellent. How would you describe the evolution of your music and the band’s profile over the years?
PAT O'BRIEN: Death Metal
MORBIDZINE: With every new release, your album covers become even more twisted and gory — featuring mad doctors, shredded corpses, zombies, and more. How are these visuals conceptualized?
PAT O'BRIEN: We come up with concepts and give them to Vince Locke.
MORBIDZINE: People often compare American and European metal audiences. What are your thoughts?
PAT O'BRIEN: Fans are fans — they rule.
MORBIDZINE: What do you think about new Guttural Slam/Deathcore bands? Do you follow any of them?
PAT O'BRIEN: If it's good I listen.
MORBIDZINE: And what are your thoughts on New York, Florida, or the general U.S. Death Metal scene? Which bands do you listen to?
PAT O'BRIEN: Once again, if it's good I listen — too many to mention.
MORBIDZINE: As a band, which horror movies have inspired you?
PAT O'BRIEN: As for me — Cannibal Holocaust, Shogun Assassin, Eraserhead. There are a lot — not all have to be horror movies. Just movies about people killing and people getting killed. Check out the new Rambo.
MORBIDZINE: These days, many bands record at home with computers and self-release their work. As a result, we see an increase in both bands and subgenres — but often at the cost of quality. What’s your opinion?
PAT O'BRIEN: Good for them if that's what they can afford and want to do.
MORBIDZINE: Adam Pfeffer and Veronica Valenzuela did a piano cover of “Stripped, Raped and Strangled” — and despite being piano-based, it was extremely brutal. Did you like the cover?
PAT O'BRIEN: Yes it's killer.
MORBIDZINE: If we're not mistaken, your new album is planned for release in 2009. What should fans expect from it?
PAT O'BRIEN: More brutality. You won't be disappointed.
MORBIDZINE: Thanks once again to this legendary band for the interview. We’ll be eagerly awaiting your new works. Would you like to leave a final message for your fans?
PAT O'BRIEN: Stay sick, stay brutal, support the scene. And when the new album comes out — fucking buy it!!