Chris Barnes Opens Up About His Tensions with Cannibal Corpse’s George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher

In a candid interview on The Garza Podcast, hosted by SUICIDE SILENCE guitarist Chris Garza, former CANNIBAL CORPSE vocalist and current SIX FEET UNDER frontman Chris Barnes sheds light on his complicated relationship with his CANNIBAL CORPSE successor, George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher.

Rediscovering Peaceful Interaction

Barnes reveals that he hasn’t blocked Fisher on social media platforms. In fact, he follows Fisher’s Instagram account actively. He recalls a confrontation prompted by a provocative video of Fisher poking fun at Barnes during a live performance of CANNIBAL CORPSE material. Barnes expressed his disappointment and concerns in a direct message to Fisher, providing a link to the offending video. The video promptly disappeared after Barnes sent his message. However, Fisher did not respond to Barnes’s concerns.

Phrasing Displeasure Towards Vocal Execution

Barnes also expresses dissatisfaction with Fisher’s interpretation of the band’s earlier material from Barnes’s tenure. “I don’t think he sings my songs very well,” Barnes commented. “I think he walks through them.” During a recent SIX FEET UNDER tour, Barnes mentioned engaging in playful retaliation against Fisher for fun, but insists that all interactions remained in good spirits.

A Feud of Words?

Barnes expressed sharp criticism when Fisher allegedly claimed ownership of Barnes’s original songs, a sentiment Barnes found deeply irritating. “He said that my songs are more his,” Barnes elaborated. “Those lyrics are from my brain. I was the one who wrote them and got the publishing rights. It’s wrong that he claims them as his.” Barnes is equally vexed by Fisher’s habit of signing albums and CDs that Fisher did not participate in recording. The ongoing hostilities have created a challenging environment for Barnes.

Garza suggested that Barnes and Fisher should have attempted to reconcile their differences. “Listen, man, I tried to,” Barnes agreed. “I’ve got no problem with him. I tried to have a decent conversation with him, but he doesn’t seem receptive.” A brief encounter at an IRON MAIDEN concert in a backstage box, where former Metal Blade Records president Brian Slagel facilitated their meeting, offered a friendly but unproductive interaction. “We were talking about Call of Duty and World of Warcraft, different gaming worlds,” Barnes noted, highlighting the attempt to bridge the chasm with light-hearted conversation.

Respecting Differences in Perspective

Barnes acknowledges Fisher’s contributions to CANNIBAL CORPSE since his tenure. “I respect that he’s been a great vocalist for the band for many years,” Barnes explains. However, he finds Fisher’s public remarks about former band members’ material disrespectful and feels personally disrespected. Barnes and current SIX FEET UNDER guitarist Jack Owen even invited Fisher to perform with their band during a Portland show. “I thought he might want to play on ‘Stripped[, Raped And Strangled]’ and ‘Hammer [Smashed Face]’,” Barnes recalled. “Those songs are very important to us.” But Fisher declined the offer.

Cannibal Corpse and Six Feet Under: Parallel Careers?

Barnes left CANNIBAL CORPSE in 1995, the year after the release of “The Bleeding”. His exit was followed by CANNIBAL CORPSE hiring Fisher as their new vocalist. After his departure from CANNIBAL CORPSE, Barnes formed SIX FEET UNDER with his former bandmates, including Jack Owen, building a new legacy while maintaining a connection to his past with select performances of CANNIBAL CORPSE songs.

Recalling Cannibal Corpse’s ‘The Bleeding’

Reflecting on CANNIBAL CORPSE‘s “The Bleeding” album, Barnes discussed his experiences working with the band at the time. He appreciated the bandmates’ desire to evolve musically but found the process challenging. “It was really hard work and progress for us,” Barnes admitted. “Creatively, we all pushed ourselves to new heights.” Barnes remains attached to his work on the album, especially hits like ‘Stripped, Raped And Strangled]’ and ‘Hammer Smashed Face’, which he treasures deeply.

Conclusion: Moving Forward with Gratitude

Despite the ongoing tension with Fisher, Barnes cherishes his time with CANNIBAL CORPSE and is content with the fruitful collaborations he made during his tenure. His current band, SIX FEET UNDER, brings him joy and aligns with his personal growth since leaving CANNIBAL CORPSE.

“I’ve been happier in SIX FEET UNDER than with those guys,” Barnes acknowledges. His willingness to work through conflicts and stay true to himself amidst career transitions exemplifies a professional’s resilience. While the relationship with Fisher remains strained, Barnes moves forward with a clear conscience and a fond memory of his time with CANNIBAL CORPSE.

For fans of heavy metal and the complex dynamics within bands, Barnes’s story offers an intriguing look at the interpersonal challenges and the enduring love of music that keep musicians going.

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