Cattle Decapitation Bio

The names of Carcass, Napalm Death, Cannibal Corpse, Autopsy when mentioned in more conservative circles will strike fear, outrage and decrees of the moral decline in our society. When those same names are mentioned among the diehard legions of extreme music, nothing but admiration, praise and individual artistry are thought. Few bands will ever make the impact that
the bands mentioned have. In fact, extreme music has been somewhat stagnant as of late, waiting for something new, something as ferocious as Cannibal Corpse, something as gutterly disgusting as Carcass, something offensively disturbing as Autopsy, and something as politically charged as Napalm Death. Introducing CATTLE DECAPITATION. Formed in 1996 by David Astor and Gabe Serbian, also members of the popular sci-fi horror core group The Locust, the band
has gone through some interesting changes. After their first 7" vinyl release "10 Torments of the Damned" had sold a few thousand copies, and numerous local shows completed, the then guitarist/vocalist disappeared without a trace. Serbian then asked Travis Ryan, ex-drummer for San Diego death metal band Strangulation to come do vocals and guitar after hearing Ryan's vocals on old school Carcass-clone band Anal Flatulence. Ryan was more than enthusiastic to
try out upon hearing their recently released 7", realizing that it was a promising move. The sound of the band changed drastically from the 7" and has held the same level of brutality ever since. Astor, then bassist for the band, decided to switch spots with Serbian as Serbian decided to play guitar. They then started out, rather experimentally as a three-piece consisting of only guitar, drums and vocals writing vigorously, recording and releasing two new albums within a year. The first album "Human Jerky" was released by Reno, Nevada's, Satan's Pimp Records on LP
format only. The album sold out of 1,000 copies within a week. This success was due largely to the fact that the band consisted of members of The Locust. Soon, Cattle Decapitation developed their own following in the grindcore/hardcore circuit. Having never toured the US and only a few shows outside their native San Diego habitat, the band still continued to sell records and managed to get together a slew of songs in the same year for their second album release, "Homovore". The album came out within nine months of "Human Jerky" and was released as a beautifully disturbing gatefold-cow-colored vinyl as well as CD. "Homovore" established the band, trashing rumors that they were merely a one off side project. Later, the band would add a bass player, the pummeling Troy Oftedal. Schooled in the fine arts of death metal and grindcore, Troy's insane tone and abilities would take to extremes the brutality of the band's previous songwriting efforts. Months later due to rigorous touring schedules with the Locust, Gabe Serbian had to resign as guitar player and let the new blood seep into the music. Long time friend and fellow vegetarian
Josh Elmore quickly filled in the spot, learned most of the songs within a month to accommodate the bands' upcoming west coast tour. This transition would officially mark CATTLE
DECAPITATION as the new ugly face in extreme music. Fans quickly gravitated toward the dreary gore tinged nature of CATTLE DECAPITATION, and would feed on everything CATTLE DECAPITATION did. Throughout 2001 and into 2002 CATTLE DECAPITATION performances, which are primarily all age events, result in astounding attendance. Their fans are overwhelmingly supportive.