Sean McLennan

Within the world of death metal, there’s a larger-than-life presence that exists, a mountainous figure equipped with a death growl so forceful, it quakes the earth when bellowed. That presence is none other than vocalist of the almighty Cannibal Corpse, fervent disciple of the Horde, and most importantly, passionate and tenderhearted family man, George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher. 

Fisher has become recognized worldwide for the brutal and ruthless growl he employs, as well as his unceasing, on-stage neck spin. After providing vocals for the last 11 Cannibal Corpse albums— including their most recent (and stellar) Violence Unimagined— touring the globe, and contributing his growl to dozens of other bands’ songs, Fisher has cemented a colossal impact on the pillars of death metal that will be honored and celebrated forever. 

With that said, the year 2022 sees Fisher achieving a special, new milestone in his music career: his latest, eponymous project, Corpsegrinder. The project unites the ever-busy Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed), Nick Bellmore (Dee Snider, Kingdom Of Sorrow), and Charlie Bellmore (Dee Snider, Kings And Liars), who managed to create ten punishing songs strictly suited for Fisher’s bludgeoning roar. Those songs make up the self-titled debut, Corpsegrinder, set to release in February 2022. Corpsegrinder also happens to be Jasta’s first signing to his Perseverance Music Group. 

Jasta approached Fisher with the idea to do a solo record after they had worked together on the Jasta track, “They Want Your Soul,” in late 2019. Fisher recalls Jasta saying, “Hey man, I have an idea to do a record with just you. Just you being the primary vocalist, and I said ‘OK, I would love to do it.’” 

Fisher continues, “Then he started sending me songs, and when I heard the songs, I was like, ‘holy shit,’ because it’s like to me, it’s definitely different then Cannibal. There’s a few parts where you can say this is closer to Cannibal Corpse, a couple blastier parts, but in general, I think it’s more like thrash and hardcore.” 

Entering back into the studio with Erik Rutan (Cannibal Corpse, Hate Eternal), Fisher mentions, “We recorded vocals for Corpsegrinder right after we did Violence Unimagined. I believe we recorded last year (2020) and I completed recording in October. So, I did Violence Unimagined and boom! This came right after, and we’ve just been sitting on it and getting things together.” 

“This album’s been done for a year,” states Fisher. “Imagine just buying a bunch of sick Christmas presents for like, your kids, or your best friend, or your mom or something, and you’re just like, ‘Man, they’re going to love this,’ and then you gotta wait a damn year, you gotta wait a year!” says Fisher with growing excitement and eagerness. 

Finally, now, “We have a set date for it to come out, so I’m freakin’ out, all the while keeping this a secret from the general public,” says a grinning Fisher. 

Corpsegrinder is one heavy and brutal piece of work. The Bellmore brothers cross over musical landscapes that pull inspiration from bands like Morbid Angel, Slayer, and Hatebreed, creating one colossally heavy and merciless sound. Songs like the lead single, “Acid Vat” (feat. Erik Rutan), as well as “On Wings of Carnage” and “Crimson Proof,” merge Slayer-esque riffs with Biohazard-inspired breakdowns to deliver one hard, audible ass beating.  

All the while Jasta compiled lyrics for Fisher to sing in his signature growl, as well as transforming the phrasing and flow to fit the groovier elements of Corpsegrinder’s sound. 

The result is the perfect combination of death metal, thrash, and hardcore, three aggressive styles that Fisher holds very close to his heart. “They did awesome,” says Fisher. “As far as I know, Jamey and them worked together with all that, and, I mean, dude, it came out amazing.”  

In a way, this project sees Fisher coming full circle, resurrecting the band name Corpsegrinder and injecting it with a whole new level of brutality. 

“My first band, in Baltimore, Maryland, the name of the band was Corpsegrinder. That was the first band I was ever in, in, like, 1988, and we used to do covers,” reminisces Fisher.  

“We had originals, but we used to cover ‘Malfunction’ (Cro-Mags), ‘G.I. Joe Headstomp’ (Sick Of It All), and ‘Crucified’ (Iron Cross/Agnostic Front).” 

He continues, “I do want to thank Jamey for bringing this to me, Nick and Charlie that played on it, and Erik Rutan, who recorded my vocals. All the guys who worked their ass off on it because we should all be proud. I think it’s a really great album. It’s heavy and sounds great; I’m as proud of it as anything I have done.” 

On stage, Fisher might exude a man capable of the unholiest deeds, but as we’ve all come to discover, he approaches conversation with a very easygoing and warm personality. After sharing stories of being invited over to Cher’s home, meeting his idol King Diamond, touring with Pantera, working with Dee Snider, and so many more, it’s easy to recognize his passion and awareness of his position. 

It’s clear to see that Fisher is someone who sacrifices so much for his fans, understanding the level of passion they have for his music, because he, too, shares that passion for the artists that have inspired him over the years. Corpsegrinder represents a personal new peak for Fisher, allowing him to continue his life’s work as one of the most brutal vocalists of all time. At the end of the day, as Dee Snider says in one of Fisher’s most prized motivational songs: “And the price is our own life until it’s done.” 

For more from Corpsegrinder, find him on Instagram.