Published: February 8, 2004
Rockum founder Gino Alache spoke with Cannibal Corpse guitarist and founding member Jack Owen at the height of the band’s global dominance during the release of The Wretched Spawn.
In the landscape of extreme metal, few names carry the weight and controversy of Cannibal Corpse. Since their emergence from Buffalo, New York in the late 1980s, the band has become synonymous with relentless brutality, uncompromising imagery, and an ever-evolving technical precision that has defined American death metal for over a decade.
By 2004, Cannibal Corpse had already cemented its legacy through a series of landmark releases: Eaten Back to Life (1990), Butchered at Birth (1991), Tomb of the Mutilated (1992), The Bleeding (1994), Vile (1996), Gallery of Suicide (1998), Bloodthirst (1999), and Gore Obsessed (2002). Now, with the release of The Wretched Spawn, the band continues to refine its sound while reinforcing its position as one of the most dominant forces in extreme music.
At the core of this sonic assault stands founding guitarist Jack Owen, whose riff-driven approach and commitment to heaviness have shaped much of the band’s identity. Rockum spoke with Owen about fifteen years of evolution, internal changes, touring milestones, piracy, and the band’s growing impact in Latin America.
Gino Alache (Rockum):
After fifteen years in Cannibal Corpse, how would you describe the experience of being part of one of the most brutal and famous bands in the world?
Jack Owen (Cannibal Corpse):
“We feel that over the years we’ve become the best in our type of music. With every album we’ve tried to become better and heavier, always pushing ourselves further. By constantly improving and refining our sound, we’ve risen above the competition and solidified ourselves as the best death metal band out there.”
Gino Alache (Rockum):
The music and the CD/DVD presentation of The Wretched Spawn has been very well received in Latin America. What can you say about this latest effort?
Jack Owen (Cannibal Corpse):
“It really has something for everyone. There’s technical material, brutal material, and also straightforward, groovy material. We try to balance those elements so fans can hear different sides of the band while still keeping it heavy.”
Gino Alache (Rockum):
When listening to the new album, I noticed combinations of elements that make it more interesting. Did you experiment with anything new this time?
Jack Owen (Cannibal Corpse):
“You can hear everyone’s writing style in their own songs. Each member brings something different. My own style is more straightforward — not overly technical — but focused on strong riffs and structure.”
Gino Alache (Rockum):
Which Cannibal Corpse album is your personal favorite?
Jack Owen (Cannibal Corpse):
“The Bleeding.”
Gino Alache (Rockum):
After Chris Barnes left the band and George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher joined, especially on Gallery of Suicide, there was a noticeable shift. Do you feel the band achieved its goals with Fisher?
Jack Owen (Cannibal Corpse):
“Yes. He can sing things that Chris Barnes could never sing in a million years. We evolved past Barnes’ more basic growls. George brought a new dimension and range to the band, which allowed us to expand our sound.”
Gino Alache (Rockum):
In 1994 there was a scheduled Cannibal Corpse concert in Lima, Peru, that never took place. Many fans, including myself, had tickets. Do you remember what happened?
Jack Owen (Cannibal Corpse):
“We were never told about the show. Unfortunately, there have been similar problems in other countries. There are promoters who use our name to rip people off and steal their money. We had no knowledge of that Lima show.”
Gino Alache (Rockum):
Which Latin American countries have you visited, and which one was your favorite?
Jack Owen (Cannibal Corpse):
“We’ve visited Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Argentina. Personally, Chile was my favorite.”
Gino Alache (Rockum):
You’ve toured with many important bands. Which tour stands out as the most significant?
Jack Owen (Cannibal Corpse):
“When we toured with The Misfits in 1996. It was great promotion for us. We played in front of very different crowds and gained a lot of new fans.”
Gino Alache (Rockum):
With the inclusion of a DVD alongside the new album, do you see this format as a way to combat illegal downloading?
Jack Owen (Cannibal Corpse):
“The DVD definitely helps fight piracy because you have to buy the album to get both the music and the video content. It adds value to the physical product.”
Gino Alache (Rockum):
Piracy laws in Peru have become more severe, with penalties reaching up to five years in jail. Do you agree with these laws, and has piracy affected you economically?
Jack Owen (Cannibal Corpse):
“It has definitely hurt our record sales. At the same time, more people know about the band because of it. I guess your time in jail should equal the amount of music you’ve downloaded.”
Gino Alache (Rockum):
Any news about a Latin American tour for The Wretched Spawn?
Jack Owen (Cannibal Corpse):
“We may be coming to South America in June. We’re working on it now.”
Gino Alache (Rockum):
Would you like to send a message to Rockum readers?
Jack Owen (Cannibal Corpse):
“Hello and thank you to the readers of Rockum for all your support!”
Gino Alache (Rockum):
Thanks Jack!
