CARNAGE AND CORPSE
An interview with Chris Barnes of Six Feet
Under
by Kate Smith - July 2001
Chris Barnes is one of the forefathers of death metal and one of the founding members of the legendary Cannibal Corpse. It's hard to say which is his greatest accomplishment: Cannibal or his latest outfit Six Feet Under. Nevertheless, SFU will release their latest album "True Carnage" on August 7th and plan a follow-up tour.
I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to Chris, get his views on both bands and his expectations on the new SFU album.
Rough Edge: What have been some of the highlights in your career, now and in the past?
Chris Barnes: Damn, getting right into it. Have to make me think. (laughs). I'd say getting signed to Metal Blade back in '89, the release of "Butchered at Birth," being in Ace Ventura. Being booted out of Cannibal Corpse was pretty memorable but in a good way. I didn't feel I was able to write the way I wanted to so it was a good transition for me.
Rough Edge: Do you think you've been able to stay connected to your roots, going from Cannibal Corpse to Six Feet Under?
Chris Barnes: Oh yeah, definitely. With SFU I'm able to expand more, lyrically and vocally, but it definitely links back to the old stuff. People will be able to recognize it.
Rough Edge: How did you get Ice-T involved on the album?
Chris
Barnes: I asked him (laughs). I've wanted to collaborate with him for awhile.
I've always liked what he had to say and he respected where I was coming from.
We've both been kind of ripped apart by the public. Myself for "Butchered at Birth" and him for "Cop Killer" so he agreed to do it.
Rough Edge: What will fans think of the album?
Chris Barnes: People will like it a lot. We took what we saw from playing at live shows how people reacted to the different beats and rhythms. We took that and put it on the album.
Rough Edge: How have old-time Cannibal Corpse fans reacted to Six Feet Under?
Chris Barnes: There have been mixed emotions. Some like both, some don't like us at all, but I don't really pay attention to it. Some of the old CC fans will like it.
Rough Edge: How do you feel about it?
Chris Barnes: I'm completely happy with it. I put my heart and soul into it, vocally and lyrically. I worked really hard on the layout and video and it's all come through.
Rough Edge: Yeah, I've only heard the sampler but "Impulse to Disembowel" blew me away.
Chris Barnes: Cool, thanks.
Rough Edge: How soon will there be a tour?
Chris Barnes: It'll start on September 20th with Napalm Death and Witchery
Rough Edge: Do you still keep in contact with any of the guys from Cannibal Corpse?
Chris Barnes: Not really, here and there. They've come to see me play a couple of times.
Rough Edge: Will you ever reunite?
Chris Barnes: I highly doubt it.
Rough Edge: What was the reason behind you leaving?
Chris Barnes: It just wasn't working out. None of us were on good terms. I came back from my tour with SFU. and that's when I was given notice. It was a good transition, they wanted me to change into something I'm not. They wanted me to sing faster and more Slayer-oriented and that's just something I'm not into.
Rough Edge: How would you compare SFU to Cannibal Corpse. Or would you?
Chris Barnes: They're two totally different but very good bands. Cannibal Corpse is about technicality and speed whereas Six Feet under is more about the heaviness and rhythm of the sound.
Rough Edge: What have been your influences?
Chris Barnes: Everything. All kinds of music.
Rough Edge: What's your view on the whole Bob Dole trying to ban Cannibal Corpse as well as the preschool teacher over in Germany?
Chris Barnes: Well, I had to go on the nightly news with Tom Brokaw and let Bob Dole know how I felt about it and I let the woman in Germany know how I felt about it as well. I wasn't too worried about it. It's frustrating when people try to gain power when they obviously don't have any by putting other people down or trying to stifle their creativity.
Rough Edge: Any words for your fans?
Chris Barnes: Yeah, I look forward to seeing everyone on tour and check out our website at http://www.sfu420.com.
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Revised: 06 Oct 2019 11:48:50 -0400.
