Torture (2012) - Cannibal Corpse

Tracklist:

1. Demented Aggression – 2:15

2. Sarcophagic Frenzy – 2:45

3. Scourge of Iron – 4:44

4. Encased in Concrete – 3:13

5. As Deep as the Knife Will Go – 3:25

6. Intestinal Crank – 3:54

7. Followed Home Then Killed – 3:36

8. The Strangulation Chair – 4:09

9. Caged... Contorted – 3:30

10. Crucifier Avenged – 3:57

11. Rabid – 3:04

12. Torn Through – 3:38

13. Death Walking Terror (Bonus Track) – 3:31 (on some editions)

By the time Torture was released in 2012, Cannibal Corpse had already carved their legacy into the flesh of death metal — repeatedly, violently, and unapologetically. This was their twelfth studio album, and somehow, it proved they were only getting tighter, meaner, and more dangerous with age.

Working once again with producer Erik Rutan (Hate Eternal, Morbid Angel), the band recorded at Mana Recording Studios in Florida — a fitting birthplace for such controlled chaos. Rutan's production is razor-sharp, giving the record a clean but crushing sound that perfectly matches the band’s technical evolution.

From the moment “Demented Aggression” kicks in, it’s clear that Cannibal Corpse is not wasting time. The riffs are fast and surgical, the vocals guttural and inhuman, and the drums hit with military precision. Songs like “Scourge of Iron” slow things down to a crawling, suffocating doom tempo, while “Encased in Concrete” and “The Strangulation Chair” inject a surprising amount of groove into the madness.

Bassist Alex Webster once again proves why he’s one of the most respected musicians in extreme metal — his lines twist beneath the riffage like a venomous serpent. Meanwhile, George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher delivers one of his most consistent and powerful vocal performances to date, with lyrics that remain true to the band's gruesome reputation: murder, torture, dismemberment, and the disturbed psychology behind it all.

What makes Torture stand out among Cannibal Corpse’s massive discography is its balance — it’s not just a speedfest, and it’s not just brutal for brutality’s sake. Every track is meticulously crafted, from the relentless riffs of “As Deep as the Knife Will Go” to the anthemic violence of “Followed Home Then Killed.” There's structure, dynamics, and even hints of experimentation within the narrow corridors of the band's signature style.

Despite its extreme content, Torture isn’t a record that feels tired or overdone — it feels alive, even after decades of death. It's a testament to a band that refuses to coast, even 20+ years into their career. This is not evolution for the sake of progress — it’s evolution in the name of perfection through punishment.

Torture is Cannibal Corpse at their most refined and deadly — a clinic in modern death metal. It’s a culmination of decades of honing their sound, and proof that consistency, when paired with passion and precision, can still produce devastating results.

If you're new to Cannibal Corpse or exploring death metal with a technical bent, Torture is one of their most accessible and well-executed albums — and one of the strongest of their modern era.