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{{short description|American death metal vocalist}}
{{Unreferenced|date=March 2008}}
{{Inappropriate tone|article|date=March 2008}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Original research|article|date=March 2008}} {{BLP sources|date=March 2013}}
{{Infobox Musical artist <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Musicians --> {{Infobox musical artist
| Name = Chris Barnes | name = Chris Barnes
| Img = ChrisBarnesWOA2006.jpg | image = Chris_Barnes.jpg
| Img_capt = Chris Barnes in 2006 | caption = Barnes in 2009
| Img_size = | birth_name =
| Landscape = | birth_place = ], U.S.
| Background = solo_singer | alias =
| Birth_name = Chris Barnes | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|12|29}}
| Alias = | death_date =
| Born = {{Birth date and age|1966|12|29|mf=y}} | occupation = {{flatlist|
* Vocalist
| Died =
* songwriter
| Instrument = ], ]
* {{nowrap|record producer}}
| Genre = ]<br>]<br>]
| Occupation = ], ], ], ], ]
| Years_active = 1986&ndash;Present
| Label = ]<br/>
| Associated_acts = ]<br/>]<br/>]<br/>]<br>]
| Notable_instruments =
| URL = http://www.cannibalcorpse.net<br>http://www.sfu420.com
}} }}
| genre = ]
| years_active = 1986–present
| current_member_of = ]
| past_member_of = {{flatlist|
* ]
* {{nowrap|]}}
}}
| website =
}}

'''Chris Barnes''' (born December 29, 1967) is an American ] vocalist who is the frontman of ]. He is noted for his low ] and explicitly violent lyrics.

Barnes was the co-founder and original lead vocalist and lyricist of ], staying with the band from 1988 to 1995. He later founded the ] band ], for whom he also provided lead vocals. In addition, he has also appeared on ]'s second album ''Swarm!'' Barnes designed the original Cannibal Corpse logo, the Six Feet Under logo and the artwork for the band's 1997 album '']''.


<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: ] -->
'''Chris Barnes''' (born December 29, 1966) is a US ] vocalist and lyricist known for his very low guttural vocals and as the vocalist and lyricist (from 1988-1995) of death metal band ], for his subsequent work as part of ] and as the former vocalist of death metal band ].
==Career== ==Career==
===Early career=== ===Early career===
Barnes started his career at the age of 19. His first band was a death/thrash band called Tirant Sin, which was formed in 1986 in his hometown of ]. Other members of Tirant Sin included ] (drums), Bob Rusay, Cam V and Joe Morelli (guitars) and Rich Ziegler (bass guitar). In 1986, Barnes left Tirant Sin to join another New York-based death/thrash metal band named Leviathan that recorded the four-track demo "Legions of the Undead" in 1987, re-released on the 2005 Six Feet Under box set '']''.


Tirant Sin recorded three demos, all privately released: "Desecration of the Graves" in February 1987, "Chaotic Destruction" in fall 1987 with Dennis John on vocals, and "Mutant Supremacy" in 1988. Barnes appeared only on the third demo, when he re-joined Tirant Sin in January 1988.<ref name="Biography of Chris Barnes">{{Cite web|url=http://www.tombofthemutilated.net/Chris-Barnes-Cannibal-Corpse-Biography.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509141047/http://www.tombofthemutilated.net/Chris-Barnes-Cannibal-Corpse-Biography.html|url-status=dead|title=Biography of Chris Barnes<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=May 9, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.myspace.com/tirantsin |title=TIRANT SIN on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads |access-date=August 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091023055724/http://www.myspace.com/tirantsin |archive-date=October 23, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tirantsin.com |title=Tirantsin.com |access-date=August 26, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211135838/http://tirantsin.com/ |archive-date=February 11, 2011 }}</ref>
"Chris Barnes had started his extreme metal career at the age of 19. Primarily Barnes's first band was a Death/Thrash band called ], which had formed in 1986 in Chris's hometown of Buffalo. Other members of Tirant Sin member included drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz, guitarists Bob Rusay, Cam V and Joe Morelli, and bassist Rich Ziegler. Also in 1986, Chris quit Tirant Sin to join yet another New York based Death/Thrash metal band entitled ] who would record a four track demo entitled "Legions of the Undead" in 1987. This demo would one day be available on the 2005 Six Feet Under boxed set entitled ''A Decade in the Grave''.


===1988–1995: Cannibal Corpse===
Tirant Sin recorded three demos. The first was entitled "Desecration of the Graves" and would privately be self released in February 1987. Tirant Sin's second demo entitled "Chaotic Destruction" would be self released in the fall of 1987, Dennis John on vocals. And finally Tirant Sin's third demo entitled "Mutant Supremacy" would be self released in 1988. Barnes only appeared on the 3rd demo, when he rejoined Tirant Sin in January 1988.<ref></ref><ref></ref>
Barnes wrote all of the lyrics on the albums '']'', '']'', and '']'' and wrote the lyrics on '']'' with the rest of the band helping.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Alley/3426/cannibal.html |title=Cannibal Corpse interview<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=October 25, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091023202838/http://geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Alley/3426/cannibal.html |archive-date=October 23, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Barnes became notorious for his explicitly violent lyrics. He said, "I was always interested in horror and stuff like that, and gore, and I read a lot of the stuff on serial killings."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://disposableunderground.com/cannibal-corpse-interview-with-chris-barnes-from-the-vault/ | title=Go back in time with Chris Barnes to the "Eaten Back to Life" album | date=October 28, 2020 }}</ref>


Barnes left Cannibal Corpse in 1995 due to creative and personal differences with the rest of the band. Barnes later claimed he felt "ridiculed" by the other band members and did not enjoy being in their presence during his waning days with the band.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kennelty |first=Greg |date=2017-02-07 |title=Chris Barnes Says He Quit CANNIBAL CORPSE Because They Ridiculed Him |url=https://metalinjection.net/news/drama/chris-barnes-says-he-quit-cannibal-corpse-because-they-ridiculed-him |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=Metal Injection |language=en-US}}</ref> His final vocal recordings with the band were for the "Created to Kill" sessions which were later re-recorded by his replacement ] for the ] album. The "Created to Kill" demo featuring Barnes was eventually released as part of the ] box set released in 2003.
"<ref></ref>"


]
===1988-1995: Cannibal Corpse===


Barnes' departure from Cannibal Corpse allowed him to devote his full attention to the band ], which had been his side project since 1993. Barnes commented that he is "very proud" of his accomplishments with the band. He later said, "being booted out of Cannibal Corpse was pretty memorable but in a good way. I didn't feel I was able to write the way I wanted to so it was a good transition for me."<ref name="roughedge">{{Cite web|url=http://www.roughedge.com/features/sixfeetunder0701a.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316020336/http://www.roughedge.com/features/sixfeetunder0701a.htm|url-status=dead|title=Six Feet Under Interview with Chris Barnes|archivedate=March 16, 2008|website=www.roughedge.com}}</ref>
Barnes wrote all of the lyrics on the albums '']'', ''Created to Kill'' (unreleased, later became '']'', with George "Corpsegrinder" Fischer on Vocals), '']'', '']'' and '']''.
"He usually did the lyrics but we often thought of the titles, like "Hammer Smashed Face" is my title."- Alex Webster<ref></ref>


In response to questions from fans regarding a possible reunion between Barnes and Cannibal Corpse, Alex Webster ruled out the possibility, saying "we have no plans to do anything with Chris Barnes ever again. It's not something any of us are interested in doing."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cannibalcorpse.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14055|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230230557/http://www.cannibalcorpse.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14055|url-status=dead|title=Official Cannibal Corpse Forum &#124; www.cannibalcorpse.org<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=December 30, 2008}}</ref> "It's nothing against him, but we prefer to move forward rather than live in the past."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/articles.aspx?id=1-921|title=CoC : Cannibal Corpse : Interview : 5/15/2006|website=Chroniclesofchaos.com|access-date=November 18, 2019}}</ref> Webster also stated that although he and Barnes had been cordial when the two run into each other at festivals, Cannibal Corpse would probably not participate in a tour with Six Feet Under either, saying "you do your thing, we'll do ours".<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sPvA1-NXEg |title=Alex Webster on Relationship with Chris Barnes |date=2023-12-05 |last=Cannibal Corpse Fanbase |access-date=2024-09-24 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Barnes himself commented: "I don't have any animosity towards those guys at all, and I don't think they do towards me. It's just that… It would be too confusing for things , I think, from their perspective".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://metalinjection.net/news/drama/chris-barnes-says-he-quit-cannibal-corpse-because-they-ridiculed-him|title=Chris Barnes Says He Quit CANNIBAL CORPSE Because They Ridiculed Him|first=Greg|last=Kennelty|date=February 7, 2017|website=Metal Injection}}</ref>
When asked in an interview what his favourite Cannibal Corpse album that he worked on was, he commented "I love them all, I really do. I really enjoyed them all". In the same interview when he was asked about his time with the band, he responded "I look back on it with a lot of fond memories. It was pretty much my starting point - it wasn't exactly my starting point, but it was as a professional musician. I think that I really helped bring about a certain style of music, and with that band I really outlined what most people think death metal vocals sound like - I'm part of that. I'm really proud of the imagery, and the lyrical stories that I put together on all those albums. We set out to conquer the world though, and I think we did as far as our corner of the world was concerned."


==Artistry ==
Barnes left Cannibal Corpse because of personal differences with the rest of the band members. <ref></ref> Barnes was then able to devote his full attention to the band ], which had been his side project since 1992. Barnes has commented that he is "very proud of what I've done with them."
On early Cannibal Corpse releases, Barnes employed a ] vocal style comparable to the likes of ] and ]. By the band's second album ], his growls were drastically lower. Barnes has stated that he developed his guttural vocal style as an attempt to blend into the music, or "become another instrument", as the band's music became more aggressive.<ref name="auto">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGPot3rP53o&t=4654s |title=Cannibal Corpse - Centuries of Torment - DVD 1 - History (OFFICIAL) |date=2013-11-20 |last=Metal Blade Records |access-date=2024-09-24 |via=YouTube}}</ref>


Barnes' lyrics generally follow a fictional, ] format, heavily drawing influence from ] and ]. On his lyrical content on the first four Cannibal Corpse albums, he said: "It wasn't meaningless ] written down to fast music. I've always taken pride in writing a storyline. It is brutally sickening, but there's always a story in my lyrics."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dick |first1=Chris |title=Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces |publisher=Da Capo Press |page=148-149}}</ref> On ], he said, "To just shock someone doesn't really work, but trying to write something that an emotion, like fear, is what interests me. I put it out there raw. I felt it complemented the music, 'cause it was so ] on so many levels."<ref>Dick, Chris. Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces. Da Capo Press. p. 150.</ref>
"Being booted out of Cannibal Corpse was pretty memorable but in a good way. I didn't feel I was able to write the way I wanted to so it was a good transition for me."<ref name="roughedge"></ref>


Joe DiVita of ] has called Barnes a "deranged lyrical genius".<ref>{{Cite web |last=DiVita |first=Joe |date=2023-12-18 |title=Best Death Metal Album of Each Year Since 1985 |url=https://loudwire.com/best-death-metal-album-each-year/ |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=Loudwire |language=en}}</ref> ] drummer ] has credited Barnes as one of the "progenitors of the ]".<ref name="auto" /> Barnes has been openly critical about the current state of modern death metal, going as far to say he "despises" what the genre has become.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Death Metal Round Table' Made Chris Barnes (Six Feet Under, Ex-Cannibal Corpse) 'Physically Ill' {{!}} Comments |url=https://lambgoat.com/news/35521/death-metal-round-table-made-chris-barnes-six-feet-under-ex-cannibal-corpse-physically-ill/comments/ |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=lambgoat.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kennelty |first=Greg |date=2022-02-05 |title=No Really, CHRIS BARNES Truly Hates The Modern Death Metal Scene |url=https://metalinjection.net/news/drama/no-really-chris-barnes-truly-hates-the-modern-death-metal-scene |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=Metal Injection |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=MetalSucks |date=2022-01-28 |title=Chris Barnes Inexplicably Cranky About Modern Death Metal, Jamey Jasta's Podcast |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2022/01/28/chris-barnes-inexplicably-cranky-about-modern-death-metal-jamey-jastas-podcast/ |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=MetalSucks |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=wookubus |date=2022-02-15 |title=Undeath's Alex Jones On Chris Barnes' Modern Death Metal Hate: "I Need To Send Him A Gift Basket Or Something" |url=https://www.theprp.com/2022/02/15/news/undeaths-alex-jones-on-chris-barnes-modern-death-metal-hate-i-need-to-send-him-a-gift-basket-or-something/ |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=Theprp.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
There have been some rumors about Barnes returning to Cannibal Corpse, which were denied by Alex Webster: "We have no plans to do anything with Chris Barnes ever again. It's not something any of us are interested in doing."<ref></ref> "it's nothing against him, but we prefer to move forward rather than live in the past"<ref></ref>


==Personal politics==
===1995-present: Six Feet Under===
Barnes espouses ]<ref>{{Cite web |last=MetalSucks |date=2020-03-20 |title=Chris Barnes Thinks the Coronavirus Is a "False Flag" Because of Course He Does |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2020/03/20/chris-barnes-thinks-the-coronavirus-is-a-false-flag-because-of-course-he-does/ |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=MetalSucks |language=en}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2018/02/23/six-feet-unders-chris-barnes-believes-some-of-the-florida-shooting-survivors-are-crisis-actors/|title=Six Feet Under's Chris Barnes Believes Some of the Florida Shooting Survivors are "Crisis Actors"|date=February 23, 2018|website=MetalSucks}}</ref>


== Controversy ==
In 2005, SFU released ''13'', their 6th full length album, an album that Chris also produced.
There was controversy surrounding Barnes and ]'s former vocalist ]. According to Putnam, he heckled Barnes during a Six Feet Under set, which lead to an altercation between the two. Ultimately, Six Feet Under's roadies ganged up on Putnam while Barnes fled to his tour bus. Putnam released the song "]" as retaliation to the incident.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wickedsickrecords.com/SP_FAQs.htm#The%20Boring%20Chris%20Barnes%20Story... |title=SP FAQ's |access-date=August 11, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330181724/http://wickedsickrecords.com/SP_FAQs.htm |archive-date=March 30, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=I took Seth Putnam's body because Chris Barnes asked me to, by Gemini/Le Mépris |url=https://geminilempris.bandcamp.com/track/i-took-seth-putnams-body-because-chris-barnes-asked-me-to |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=Gemini/Le Mépris |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Six Feet Under - Trivia |url=https://metalstorm.net/bands/trivia.php?band_id=184&bandname=Six+Feet+Under |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=Metal Storm |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hellbound.ca/2011/06/seth-putnam-the-hellbound-interview/|title=Seth Putnam of A.C.: The Hellbound Interview|first=Sean|last=Palmerston|date=June 12, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nephrectomy - Chris Barnes Is a Juggalo (RIP Seth Putnam) - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives |url=https://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Nephrectomy/Chris_Barnes_is_a_Juggalo_(RIP_Seth_Putnam)/626437 |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=www.metal-archives.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AmIAnnoying.com |url=https://www.amiannoying.com/(S(b1tkycxlikqq12dywivnaqti))/view.aspx?ID=18368 |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=www.amiannoying.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exlsgYPP5To |title=Interview with Seth Putnam of A.C. |date=2011-04-24 |last=Culture Creep |access-date=2024-09-24 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Despite the feud, Putnam stated that "]" was his favorite song by Six Feet Under.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913105820/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=16468|url-status=dead|title=ANAL CUNT's SETH PUTNAM: 'CHRIS BARNES Is A Pussy' - Nov. 4, 2003|website=Blabbermouth.net|archive-date=September 13, 2012|access-date=November 18, 2019}}</ref>


==Discography==
In the same year SFU released ''A Decade in the Grave'', a ] highlighting the past 10 years of Six Feet Under.
'''Six Feet Under'''
* '']'' (1995)
* '']'' (1996)
* '']'' (1997)
*'']'' (1999)
*'']'' (2000)
*'']'' (2001)
*''Double Dead Redux'' (live) (2003)
*'']'' (2003)
*'']'' (2004)
*'']'' (2005)
*''A Decade in the Grave'' (box set) (2005)
*'']'' (2007)
*'']'' (2008)
*'']'' (2010)
*'']'' (2012)
*'']'' (2013)
*'']'' (2015)
*'']'' (2016)
*'']'' (2017)
* ''Unburied'' (2018)
*'']'' (2020)
*''Killing For Revenge'' (2024)


'''Cannibal Corpse'''
With the success of two ] bands already under his belt (Cannibal Corpse and Six Feet Under), Chris Barnes joined the ] death metal band ] in the fall of 2005. At the time, Barnes said he was fully committed to the band, and appeared on the band's debut album ''Swarm!'', which was released on February 24, 2006. However, he left the band in January 2008. Many critics claim that Chris Barnes ruined the band with his "terrible vocal style" giving the band very poor reviews.
*'']'' demo (1989)
*'']'' (1990)
*'']'' (1991)
*'']'' (1992)
*'']'' EP (1993)
*'']'' (1994)
*''Created to Kill'' (] demo) (1995)
*'']'' box set (2003)
*'']'' video (2008)
*''The Unreleased 1994 Deathboard Recording (Live)'' (2019)


'''Torture Killer'''
SFU released their newest album ''Commandment'' on April 17, 2007 to highly positive views. Chris Barnes has stated "Commandment" is his favourite album, claiming to have received over 5,000 messages in support, many fans cite it as their favourite SFU release since 2003's '']''.
*''Swarm!'' (2006)
*'']'' (2013) Backing vocals on "Written in Blood"


'''IHATE'''
As of ] ], Chris resides in ].
*''IHATE'' (2014)


'''Cannabis Corpse'''
==Social involvement==
*''From Wisdom to Baked'' (2014) Backing vocals on "Individual Pot Patterns"
===Support For Marijuana Law Reform===
Since departing from ] after ''The Bleeding'', Chris Barnes slightly shifted his lyrical focus towards more sociopolitical issues, the most prominent of which being the legalization of marijuana. The album ''Warpath'' contains two songs pertaining to marijuana, the first being "4:20" which praises the effects of the plant and the second being "Caged and Disgraced" that calls into question detaining individuals for marijuana possession. Also included in the albums liner notes is the website for the ] and it is pointed out that the song "4:20" (which is 4 minutes and 20 seconds in length) was recorded on April 20th at 4:20pm, ].


'''Gorguts'''
''Maximum Violence'' contains the song "Victim of the Paranoid" which is another examination of marijuana laws, asserting marijuana users are victims of a system that is too worried about marijuana users and neglects other more pressing issues. Chris Barnes, much like ]'s ], has been known to smoke marijuana passed to him during a live performance and vocally praise the herb both on stage and in interviews.
*'']'' (1991) Backing vocals on "Bodily Corrupted", "Rottenatomy" & "Hematological Allergy"


'''Skribbal'''
==Death metal==
*'']'' (2021)
=== Vocal styles ===
Opening introduction on "The Retribution"
Barnes is known for his rather extreme vocal style, which consists of low and snarled death grunts that have been described by as "thunderous" and "like Satan on a diet of razor blades and paint thinner"<ref>Allmusic.com</ref>. He has also been praised for the fact that his famous grunts have never been manipulated or enhanced by a recording studio. Some have speculated that Barnes can get such low vocals because he is a known marijuana smoker, although this has never been confirmed or denied by Barnes. He also seems skilled at raspy screams, exemplified in the songs "Hammer Smashed Face", "I Cum Blood", "Post Mortal Ejaculation", "Pulverised", and "Stripped, Raped and Strangled". Ironically, in interviews he is known for having a very soft voice and for being very mellow.


'''Incite'''
Chris's vocals on "Tomb of The Mutilated" were so inhumanly guttural, that inside the booklet of the album there is a message that states "Electronic Harmonizer was not used to create any vocals on Tomb of the Mutilated".<ref></ref>
* '']'' (2019) Backing vocals on "Poisoned by Power" <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/incite-joined-by-six-feet-unders-chris-barnes-on-new-song-poisoned-by-power-audio/|title=INCITE Joined by SIX FEET UNDER's CHRIS BARNES on New Song 'Poisoned By Power' (Audio)|date=January 10, 2019|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=November 18, 2019}}</ref>


==References==
In an interview, he said the following about his early singing aspirations:
{{Reflist}}
"I was really enamoured with ] from Kiss and the whole visual idea of a demon being a singer in a band, which kind of stuck with me in a way. When I saw Kiss in 1978, 1979 for the first time as an eleven or twelve year old kid, I was really enthralled. I felt “Wow! This is a live performance”, and I really loved Simmons and what he was doing. At another level I kept listening to music and it got more and more heavy, and then at one point as a teenager I said “Well I love this music so much, so I think maybe I could do that also”. At that point, I started singing along to my favourite albums by Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Venom and so on. I'd sing along to the tape, and I'd try to sing like those guys would in those bands. It just progressed from there really. When I was in my first year at college in the university, I was in a band at that point writing original music. It was the most fun in my life, and being in school I didn't really know what I wanted to do so I wasn't really sure of my place. I just thought to myself one day when I was in school, I said “I don't want to be here”. As a result, I got up, walked out, got in my car, and then cranked it up. I drove up to rehearsal and said “This is what I want to do”."

== Musical tastes ==
Barnes is a big fan of metal pioneers Black Sabbath, which is why Cannibal Corpse did a cover of "Zero the Hero" (one of Barnes' favorite Black Sabbath songs) in the ''Hammer Smashed Face'' EP.

When asked about ], his vocal replacement for Cannibal Corpse, he said “I know George is a good singer, though he wouldn't have been my choice personally. I kind of like it though because he was never able to sing my songs better than me; that's always made me feel proud, that I was able to write songs that couldn't be imitated. I think he does a great job though, and he's a real nice guy.”

He lists ] as his favorite band on the Six Feet Under official website.

== Beliefs ==
Barnes says that thinking about death with his song lyrics has made him very sensitive to the fragility of human existence and life.

In an interview he stated that he believes in reincarnation and has also said, "I think there are many hints in life, such as familiarity with certain things, that are unexplainable. These are possibly explainable by the idea of having lived before, which is what I think. My dreams seem very real, and I tap into those places." He also stated that he believes everything is a learning experience. "We're here for a reason, and we're gifted by life for sure."

"Ever since I discovered ] back in the early 90s I’ve definitely been aware of a lot of things that have been happening in the world and set my eye on things and just been very aware of some of his writings and I recognize that a few of his prophecies have already come true and have opened that world consciousness that will hopefully change those prophecies because that’s a possibility. But for the most part the way things have been going it seems that doomsday is pretty close."<ref name="punktv"></ref>



== Personality ==

While on the set of '']'', Chris admitted to Jim Carrey that the way his neck contorted while doing "Fire Marshall Bill" grossed him out. Jim's response? "What? This? This grosses you out? All that shit you write and that little thing grosses you out?"<ref>''Choosing Death: The Improbable History of Death Metal and Grindcore'' ISBN 1-932595-04-X</ref>

"I like well a told story, something that's directed well in a different way, anything, even commercials. It doesn’t have to be underground or horror films, lately I've been getting into more horror stuff but I’ve kind of eased off and been watching different types of films, you know, back into that. I like all sorts of stuff, it just has to be a well told story, like everything coming from the writers look. I mean, special effects and that type of stuff doesn’t impress me that much more subtle effects do, I mean, I know of the editing process and that doesn’t really do anything for me, you know, the magic's taken out. I just like a well written story with something that just looks really direct."<ref></ref>

"I never was one for fashion or trying to impress people. I just wanted to do the best I could and feel good about what I do and be proud of the time that I put into my art and that’s how I feel about it. When it stops becoming fun for me and when it starts becoming upsetting to see where it goes is the day that I just put it aside and let my bodies of works speak for me. Hopefully that day doesn’t come too soon but we’ll see what happens."<ref name="punktv"/>
"I think that I'm just a normal guy. I’m not a super hero or a character in a magazine, I’m just a regular person and I think that’s the biggest thing. I don’t know if that would surprise anybody but I hope that it would kind of give some people some insight. I’m not a monster." "I’ve always been kind of mellow so I think that does surprise people when they speak to me or hang out with me or something, he’s not crazy! I just enjoy life, I enjoy doing what I do and I’m not a character in a book or in a movie. So that’s it, I’m a real person and I’m here. I think a lot of people have pre-conceived notions of what I’m like because they’ve read a bunch of crazy lyrics over the years. Those are my thoughts but I don’t live that way in everyday life. I think I’d be in jail for 25 years now if I would have."<ref name="punktv"/>

== Trivia ==
{{Trivia|date=September 2007}}
*There are rumors of Chris Barnes playing in the UK's resident ] act ] which are thought to be false.
*Barnes designed the original Cannibal Corpse logo as well as the Six Feet Under logo and also did the artwork for ''Warpath'' released in 1997.

== Sources ==
http://www.lucemfero.com/sixfeetunder062007.php

== References ==

<references/>


==External links== ==External links==
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Latest revision as of 08:21, 3 January 2025

American death metal vocalist

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Chris Barnes
Barnes in 2009Barnes in 2009
Background information
Born (1967-12-29) December 29, 1967 (age 57)
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
GenresDeath metal
Occupations
  • Vocalist
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active1986–present
Member ofSix Feet Under
Formerly of
Musical artist

Chris Barnes (born December 29, 1967) is an American death metal vocalist who is the frontman of Six Feet Under. He is noted for his low guttural vocals and explicitly violent lyrics.

Barnes was the co-founder and original lead vocalist and lyricist of Cannibal Corpse, staying with the band from 1988 to 1995. He later founded the Florida death metal band Six Feet Under, for whom he also provided lead vocals. In addition, he has also appeared on Torture Killer's second album Swarm! Barnes designed the original Cannibal Corpse logo, the Six Feet Under logo and the artwork for the band's 1997 album Warpath.

Career

Early career

Barnes started his career at the age of 19. His first band was a death/thrash band called Tirant Sin, which was formed in 1986 in his hometown of Buffalo, New York. Other members of Tirant Sin included Paul Mazurkiewicz (drums), Bob Rusay, Cam V and Joe Morelli (guitars) and Rich Ziegler (bass guitar). In 1986, Barnes left Tirant Sin to join another New York-based death/thrash metal band named Leviathan that recorded the four-track demo "Legions of the Undead" in 1987, re-released on the 2005 Six Feet Under box set A Decade in the Grave.

Tirant Sin recorded three demos, all privately released: "Desecration of the Graves" in February 1987, "Chaotic Destruction" in fall 1987 with Dennis John on vocals, and "Mutant Supremacy" in 1988. Barnes appeared only on the third demo, when he re-joined Tirant Sin in January 1988.

1988–1995: Cannibal Corpse

Barnes wrote all of the lyrics on the albums Butchered at Birth, Tomb of the Mutilated, and The Bleeding and wrote the lyrics on Eaten Back to Life with the rest of the band helping. Barnes became notorious for his explicitly violent lyrics. He said, "I was always interested in horror and stuff like that, and gore, and I read a lot of the stuff on serial killings."

Barnes left Cannibal Corpse in 1995 due to creative and personal differences with the rest of the band. Barnes later claimed he felt "ridiculed" by the other band members and did not enjoy being in their presence during his waning days with the band. His final vocal recordings with the band were for the "Created to Kill" sessions which were later re-recorded by his replacement George Fisher for the Vile album. The "Created to Kill" demo featuring Barnes was eventually released as part of the 15 Year Killing Spree box set released in 2003.

Barnes designed the original Cannibal Corpse logo, which was used until 1995.

Barnes' departure from Cannibal Corpse allowed him to devote his full attention to the band Six Feet Under, which had been his side project since 1993. Barnes commented that he is "very proud" of his accomplishments with the band. He later said, "being booted out of Cannibal Corpse was pretty memorable but in a good way. I didn't feel I was able to write the way I wanted to so it was a good transition for me."

In response to questions from fans regarding a possible reunion between Barnes and Cannibal Corpse, Alex Webster ruled out the possibility, saying "we have no plans to do anything with Chris Barnes ever again. It's not something any of us are interested in doing." "It's nothing against him, but we prefer to move forward rather than live in the past." Webster also stated that although he and Barnes had been cordial when the two run into each other at festivals, Cannibal Corpse would probably not participate in a tour with Six Feet Under either, saying "you do your thing, we'll do ours". Barnes himself commented: "I don't have any animosity towards those guys at all, and I don't think they do towards me. It's just that… It would be too confusing for things , I think, from their perspective".

Artistry

On early Cannibal Corpse releases, Barnes employed a thrash metal vocal style comparable to the likes of Kreator and The Accused. By the band's second album Butchered at Birth, his growls were drastically lower. Barnes has stated that he developed his guttural vocal style as an attempt to blend into the music, or "become another instrument", as the band's music became more aggressive.

Barnes' lyrics generally follow a fictional, narrative format, heavily drawing influence from horror fiction and true crime. On his lyrical content on the first four Cannibal Corpse albums, he said: "It wasn't meaningless jargon written down to fast music. I've always taken pride in writing a storyline. It is brutally sickening, but there's always a story in my lyrics." On shock value, he said, "To just shock someone doesn't really work, but trying to write something that an emotion, like fear, is what interests me. I put it out there raw. I felt it complemented the music, 'cause it was so far out there on so many levels."

Joe DiVita of Loudwire has called Barnes a "deranged lyrical genius". Dark Angel drummer Gene Hoglan has credited Barnes as one of the "progenitors of the gore style". Barnes has been openly critical about the current state of modern death metal, going as far to say he "despises" what the genre has become.

Personal politics

Barnes espouses coronavirus conspiracy theories and conspiracy theories about the 2018 Parkland school shooting.

Controversy

There was controversy surrounding Barnes and Anal Cunt's former vocalist Seth Putnam. According to Putnam, he heckled Barnes during a Six Feet Under set, which lead to an altercation between the two. Ultimately, Six Feet Under's roadies ganged up on Putnam while Barnes fled to his tour bus. Putnam released the song "Chris Barnes Is a Pussy" as retaliation to the incident. Despite the feud, Putnam stated that "Murdered in the Basement" was his favorite song by Six Feet Under.

Discography

Six Feet Under

Cannibal Corpse

Torture Killer

  • Swarm! (2006)
  • Phobia (2013) Backing vocals on "Written in Blood"

IHATE

  • IHATE (2014)

Cannabis Corpse

  • From Wisdom to Baked (2014) Backing vocals on "Individual Pot Patterns"

Gorguts

  • Considered Dead (1991) Backing vocals on "Bodily Corrupted", "Rottenatomy" & "Hematological Allergy"

Skribbal

Opening introduction on "The Retribution"

Incite

References

  1. "Biography of Chris Barnes". Archived from the original on May 9, 2008.
  2. "TIRANT SIN on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads". Archived from the original on October 23, 2009. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
  3. "Tirantsin.com". Archived from the original on February 11, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
  4. "Cannibal Corpse interview". Archived from the original on October 23, 2009. Retrieved October 25, 2009.
  5. "Go back in time with Chris Barnes to the "Eaten Back to Life" album". October 28, 2020.
  6. Kennelty, Greg (February 7, 2017). "Chris Barnes Says He Quit CANNIBAL CORPSE Because They Ridiculed Him". Metal Injection. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  7. "Six Feet Under Interview with Chris Barnes". www.roughedge.com. Archived from the original on March 16, 2008.
  8. "Official Cannibal Corpse Forum | www.cannibalcorpse.org". Archived from the original on December 30, 2008.
  9. "CoC : Cannibal Corpse : Interview : 5/15/2006". Chroniclesofchaos.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  10. Cannibal Corpse Fanbase (December 5, 2023). Alex Webster on Relationship with Chris Barnes. Retrieved September 24, 2024 – via YouTube.
  11. Kennelty, Greg (February 7, 2017). "Chris Barnes Says He Quit CANNIBAL CORPSE Because They Ridiculed Him". Metal Injection.
  12. ^ Metal Blade Records (November 20, 2013). Cannibal Corpse - Centuries of Torment - DVD 1 - History (OFFICIAL). Retrieved September 24, 2024 – via YouTube.
  13. Dick, Chris. Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces. Da Capo Press. p. 148-149.
  14. Dick, Chris. Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces. Da Capo Press. p. 150.
  15. DiVita, Joe (December 18, 2023). "Best Death Metal Album of Each Year Since 1985". Loudwire. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  16. "'Death Metal Round Table' Made Chris Barnes (Six Feet Under, Ex-Cannibal Corpse) 'Physically Ill' | Comments". lambgoat.com. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  17. Kennelty, Greg (February 5, 2022). "No Really, CHRIS BARNES Truly Hates The Modern Death Metal Scene". Metal Injection. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  18. MetalSucks (January 28, 2022). "Chris Barnes Inexplicably Cranky About Modern Death Metal, Jamey Jasta's Podcast". MetalSucks. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  19. wookubus (February 15, 2022). "Undeath's Alex Jones On Chris Barnes' Modern Death Metal Hate: "I Need To Send Him A Gift Basket Or Something"". Theprp.com. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  20. MetalSucks (March 20, 2020). "Chris Barnes Thinks the Coronavirus Is a "False Flag" Because of Course He Does". MetalSucks. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  21. "Six Feet Under's Chris Barnes Believes Some of the Florida Shooting Survivors are "Crisis Actors"". MetalSucks. February 23, 2018.
  22. "SP FAQ's". Archived from the original on March 30, 2009. Retrieved August 11, 2012.
  23. "I took Seth Putnam's body because Chris Barnes asked me to, by Gemini/Le Mépris". Gemini/Le Mépris. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  24. "Six Feet Under - Trivia". Metal Storm. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  25. Palmerston, Sean (June 12, 2011). "Seth Putnam of A.C.: The Hellbound Interview".
  26. "Nephrectomy - Chris Barnes Is a Juggalo (RIP Seth Putnam) - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". www.metal-archives.com. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  27. "AmIAnnoying.com". www.amiannoying.com. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  28. Culture Creep (April 24, 2011). Interview with Seth Putnam of A.C. Retrieved September 24, 2024 – via YouTube.
  29. "ANAL CUNT's SETH PUTNAM: 'CHRIS BARNES Is A Pussy' - Nov. 4, 2003". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  30. "INCITE Joined by SIX FEET UNDER's CHRIS BARNES on New Song 'Poisoned By Power' (Audio)". Blabbermouth.net. January 10, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.

External links

Cannibal Corpse
Studio albums
Live albums
EPs
Box sets
Video albums
Related articles
Six Feet Under
Studio albums
Cover albums
Live albums
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Extended plays
Videos
Related articles
Torture Killer
  • Tuomas Karppinen
  • Jari Laine
  • Kim Torniainen
  • Tuomo Latvala
  • Pessi Haltsonen
Studio albums
  • For Maggots to Devour
  • Swarm!
  • Sewers
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