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›A catch-up with CANNIBAL CORPSE
Headbang: Hi there! Are you pleased with the new DVD?
Alex Webster (bassist for Cannibal Corpse):Yes, we're very happy with it. We think that Denise Korycki (the film maker) has done an excellent job.
HB: Why did you decide to make it?
AW: We originally wanted to do a DVD that was about the 'Death Walking Tour' (the Kill tour), so we contacted Denise to shoot some behind the scenes footage of us on tour. She came back to us with idea of doing a history DVD, and we decided this was a good idea as our 20th anniversary was approaching.
HB: The first disc is a fascinating insight into one of the world¹s premier Death Metal bands, when you were putting it together did you look back on any bad times and think we could have done that differently?
AW: Not too much. We¹ve had an excellent career, and if we had done things differently, maybe things would not have turned out as well for us. Your mistakes help build character, and if you learn from them they are actually valuable.
HB: After 20 years of making music what's been your biggest highlight?
AW: There have been a lot of highlights. Certainly playing the big festivals in Europe has been incredible. Also, meeting and performing shows with some of our favorite bands during these festivals and also during tours has been a big thrill.
HB: Your album artwork is notoriously gruesome and controversial has that been a conscious decision or was that just how it turned out?
AW: A lot of the concepts for the artwork come from Vince Locke himself, although we sometimes have given him creative input. So, we basically just let Vince do whatever he wants, and he usually makes something that is very appropriate for the type of music we are doing. Gruesome artwork is a perfect fit for a band like Cannibal Corpse.
HB: Is there any one show or tour that sticks out in your memory as being your favourite?
AW: No, not really. We¹ve done too many shows to choose just one. I really enjoy the big festivals, but some of my best memories are from the smaller clubs. The atmosphere in tiny clubs is usually perfect for death metal.
HB: How does it feel to have been such an inspiration on so many bands and on a music genre?
AW: It is a total surprise to us that we have become an influential band. It is a huge honor if some bands view us in the same light that we view our favorite bands like Kreator and Slayer.
HB: Are there any bands that have had a lasting influence upon you as musicians?
AW: Sure, bands like Immolation, Kreator, Slayer, and Sadus are huge influences for me personally, and the other guys in the band probably also have a list of favorites that have influenced them creatively.
HB: Can we expect a new Cannibal Corpse album anytime soon?
AW: Yes, we hope to release a new album in early 2009.
HB: When are we likely to see you on tour again?
AW: Probably early in 2009, shortly after the release of the new album. We can't wait to start touring again and to play some of these new songs for our fans.
HB: How much longer can you see yourself doing this for?
AW: I'd like to play death metal and other extreme forms of music for as long as I live. Music is my life. As for how long Cannibal Corpse will continue on as a group, well I can't predict the future, but I think it will last at least another decade, if not more. Remember, the DVD says ‘The First 20 Years’, so we want to attempt to have a second 20 years!
HB: And finally what song what you describe as your most headbanging?
AW: Maybe ‘The Spinesplitter’. That one always made me bang my head extra hard when we played it live.
HB: Goodluck with the new DVD! And thanks for talking to Headbang!
AW: Thank you for the support, and thank you for the interview! See you on tour!