Cattle Decapitation: Devourer Of The Earth
Preparing to embark on a 25-date tour run through north America, CATTLE DECAPITATION continues to push the boundaries of extreme metal music. However, despite their heavy weight presence for nigh on two and half decades, the fan group of CATTLE DECAP remains smaller compared to others. Following introductions, guitarist Josh Elmore ruminates and goes into detail of how they’ve been looking to grow off the back of touring. At the end of 2022 the band took part in a monstrous multi bill extreme metal tour featuring AMON AMARTH, OBITUARY and CARCASS. “When it was originally pitched to us, I mean of course you’re going to say yes, it’s AMON AMARTH, OBITUARY and CARCASS, don’t be stupid! But it was pitched as something that was really going to grow the band.”
What this multiple line up tour also provided was a springboard for CATTLE DECAPITATION to introduce the world to their new music. The first single We Eat Our Young was debuted on these shows. With recording already completed several months before, the CATTLE DECAP camp were eager to get some early feedback on the new material. Discussing how the new singles have offered up old and new fans alike something new to the CATTLE DECAPITATION sound. Building on some of the stylistics heard on previous studio album Death Atlas. “We Eat Our Young which is bang bang bang aggressive, offers up a traditional CATTLE DECAPITATION delivery whereas Scourge Of The Offspring, the second single, has this melodic edge to it.”
There is both reflection and throwback and forward-thinking development to be found on this new record. As Josh continues to explain on how the band approached the creation of Terrasite, it was quite an open democratic process. “Dave McGraw [drums], he wanted to put forward the idea that there should be more groove on the album. With more locking into the kick drum. Travis was of the opinion that no matter how many songs would make the final cut, this should be an album of just songs none of the atmospheric intros and between song parts.”
For his part Josh wanted to instigate more of the layered guitar parts that had been a prominent inclusion on Death Atlas. He wanted to run with and develop that concept further. While these musical elements may not be immediately apparent on the initial single, We Eat Our Young, there is definite examples to be found on Scourge Of The Offspring, especially when the big chorus parts kick in. The enthusiasm which Josh displays when discussing the new material is infectious and he promotes the development of the bands sound with wide eyed joy.
As an insight into how CATTLE DECAP write a record, Josh has already alluded to the fact that there is a very democratic approach to deciding on album structure and direction. However, it’s not all validation of each others ideas. As with any decent band looking to consistently push their sound between each album release, the key “is constant creative tension”, he says it with a laugh and smile, but there is an underlying truth to his tone that cannot be ignored. Going on to clarify, Josh explains that there is the unified goal of wanting to deliver the best record possible, but there is a level of ego that would be impossible to not have in this situation. It’s refreshing to hear that a healthy competition keeps the moment going and it is proven to be a very useful tool for creativity and the developing of ideas. This is still very much a band of friends though; they push each other in the writing but when meeting up for tours and rehearsals there is still a strong sense of camaraderie that forms the essential glue to hold the whole thing together.
With a defined sense of unity and in Josh’s own words, “a stubborn, no matter what happens attitude and the ability to take anything put upon us,” CATTLE DECAPITATION has carved out a healthy spot for themselves within the extreme metal genre. For those in the know and pre-existing fans who have cultivated friendships with the band and created a loyalty to them, CATTLE DECAP are stalwart of the scene that can always be relied upon to come up with the goods. With Terrasite on the horizon and more live shows in the calendar, there’s plenty to be excited about. The new record promises a hefty dose of the sound that has put CATTLE DECAPITATION on the map. However, it will be an evolution from Death Atlas.
Where that album was dark and brooding from the striking artwork through to the samples used to build the atmosphere. Terrasite could be interpreted as a rebirth from the ashes of the world built by Death Atlas. The artwork incorporates a nightmarish figure but the colour palette is brighter, although perhaps don’t expect to see the pinks incorporated in the back line on stage. The music heard so far has brighter melodies and sharper, crisper riffs. Positive feedback already coming in is bolstering the energy ahead of release and 2023 holds a lot of promise for CATTLE DECAPITATION.
Terrasite is out now via Metal Blade Records.
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