Cannibal Corpse – Paul Mazurkiewicz

Labeled as the pioneers of death metal, Cannibal Corpse return to Australian shores for another dosage of extreme music. This time in the form of their latest release, ‘Torture’.

Metal Obsession had the pleasure to sit down with drummer, Paul Mazurkiewicz, discussing the evolution of death metal, parenting and everything in between.

Metal Obsession: I take it everything is well with you at the moment?

Paul Mazurkiewicz: Yeah, yeah! We just got back from a couple of big tours now gearing up to hit Australia, Japan and all that very soon. It’s always great to come back to Australia. We love being there. We always seem to have the best time and the best shows, so we’re totally looking forward to the whole experience and being back in the country.

MO: How’s the reception been towards ‘Torture’ on the current tour?

PM: The fans seem to be really enjoying the new album. I mean, ever since we put out the teasers back before the album was due for release, the response was very strong, even overwhelming at times. When it finally came out everyone just seemed super excited and really enjoyed what we put together. The fans are very pleased with it. We personally think its a great Cannibal Corpse release, in our eyes. We’re glad the fans think so as well.

MO: Having some 23 years experience in the death metal industry, you must have a lot to say about it. What are your thoughts on the whole death metal movement at this present time?

PM: I think overall it’s amazing when you think about it. I mean we (Cannibal Corpse) have been around for some 23 years, experiencing the birth of this new genre in the late 80’s or what have you. Who would have ever thought extreme music would still be this popular in this day and age. Back then it was just so underground and it obviously wasn’t for everyone, even in this day and age its not for everyone. It seems there is so many sub genres with the whole extreme music movement and it’s obviously all doing very well throughout the world. It’s a great thing, I think.

If any bands are going to be influenced by death metal, even Cannibal Corpse, that’s great. They will be able to go off and do their own thing and a lot of bands have been able to do that. If they can show their fans why they do what they do and go back to see where it all started, it’s all just a great experience. But I like seeing extreme music doing so well in this day and age, because who would have ever thought, you know?

We definitely did it and that was some 23 years ago.

MO: Do you see death metal making an evolutionary step?

PM:  It’s always kind of evolving to an extent. It seems to go back and forth, but yeah, good question. How much more brutal, evil or faster can one band be, you know? It think it all comes down to just being creative and writing good songs by having good chemistry with band mates, and with that the genre will just keep going far into the future. I mean it’s not going anywhere that’s for sure. It’s doing better than it’s ever has and like we were saying, it’s only in its infantile stages  when you think about it. I mean the genre itself has only been around for some 25 – 30 years, so I can only see it get stronger from here on in. I personally think it’s a genre that is here to stay and will obviously continue to evolve for a very long time.

Unfortunately, we may not be able to see how much can be done or what the damage might be from extreme music, say 50 or 100 years from now when we won’t be around. I always think about those kinds of things. I mean will people still be listening to the “classics” like Cannibal Corpse or Deicide, stuff like that? [laughs]

Again, I don’t see it going anywhere. It’s a very strong and very powerful form of music.

MO: Do you believe too many sub genres will take a toll on the music?

PM: I just do my thing, man. [laughs] That’s the thing with us, I don’t know. I mean people seem to be into everything these days, I’m just glad we can still fit in there somewhere. A lot of music I listen to these days, I listen to it and I don’t get it. I mean there is great musicianship, but it’s just taking something to a whole new level, even a whole new ball game if you think about it, which is fine, but it’s not for me. Again, we just do what we enjoy and that’s what we have always ever done. We are happy we’re still relevant and can still fit in with some great musicians in a world of extreme metal.

I’m just glad it’s doing so well. There are a lot of these popular bands that can sell so many records and play so many shows which is great. It’s great for the scene and for the genre as a whole. Again, we just do what we do and that’s all I can say. [laughs]

MO: Would we ever see Cannibal Corpse making a lyrical leap of faith. Would you want to delve into other lyrical topics outside of extreme violence, gore and zombies?

PM: Nah, not really. We are who we are. When you look at the 12 albums we have done and the numerous EPs and so forth, it’s pretty much the same. Of course things have changed slightly when dealing with different lyricists or members throughout the band’s career, but as a whole, we’re happy with what we’ve been doing. I mean we wouldn’t do it if we didn’t enjoy what we do. [laughs]

This is what we started and what we got ourselves into. We knew we would be boxed into a corner, but we enjoy being pigeonholed into what we do. Because, yes, we’re about extreme brutal death metal. That’s all it is and all it can be about in our eyes. We just try to be as creative as possible, yet not be redundant. I mean a lot of the lyrical matter is familiar when singing about killing someone with a knife, zombies and that kind of stuff on pretty much every record. But we just do a little different each time to make it sound fresh. We always feel that we are as fresh as we can be in this little narrow corner we put ourselves in. This is what this band (Cannibal Corpse) is about and that is what it’s going down as when it’s all said and done.

We will be that band who never compromises and stays true to what we believe in as musicians, and that’s what Cannibal Corpse is. Brutal death metal!

MO: Have you ever reached a point of mental breakdown when writing a new violent and extremely aggressive song? I mean there is only so many things you can do to a live or dead body.

PM: [laughs] Ummm… not really. I mean when you look at our career its been pretty steady when it comes to releases. I mean some 23 years and 12 albums, that works out to be around an album every 2 years. Obviously we’re just constantly working and constantly coming up with this stuff. If we ever had a mental blank, we’d never be able to get the stuff out. When we have to create we can do it, which is kind of a crazy thing. I mean we’ve been doing this for so long so it’s essentially part of us or embedded in us. When we have to sit down and write the lyrics or music, we just do it. It seems like second nature now.

MO: Cannibal Corpse is no stranger to censorship in Australia. You must have some strong views towards censorship?

PM: To be honest, I don’t even take notice of it. I think its ridiculous, it doesn’t make any sense, which is what I’m sure everyone would think I would say. It’s just something we don’t even allow to bother us, let alone think about it. We’re still selling records and still touring these countries which presumably have banned us and all this kind of stuff. [laughs] It’s just stuff you can’t allow to get to you, you know?

MO: Being a family man yourself. You must see some benefits of censorship?

PM: To be honest, I think it all comes down to the parents. It all comes down to the way your child has been brought up. You’re only going to do it for so long, you can only hold out information for so long, you know? Obviously, you have to do it in the formidable years when they’re young. When they’re 16 – 18 they should be at a developed state to be free and have the capability to make their own logical choices. This stuff does exist, they have every right to know how the human mind works and how everyone is different. I think its preparing them for that time which is most important. They have the capability to be good human beings and obviously the way they’re treated at a young age will determine that.

Again, I think it all comes down to the parents and how they treat their children and themselves at the end of the day.

Cannibal Corpse are currently on tour in Australia. Make sure to catch them on the remaining dates below. Tickets available via www.soundworkstouring.com