Cattle Decapitation

Cattle Decapitation was formed in 1996 by singer Scott Miller, guitarist Gabe Serbian, and drummer Dave Astor.{{Cite web |title=metalweb interview |url=http://www.themetalweb.com/cattledecapitationinterview.html |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723111116/http://www.themetalweb.com/cattledecapitationinterview.html |archivedate=July 23, 2008}} The band put out their first material in 1996 with a demo called Ten Torments of the Damned. Scott Miller left the band in circa 1997 and Travis Ryan joined the band. In 1999 their first EP Human Jerky was recorded and in 2000 their second EP Homovore was recorded. The two EPs were both recorded at Double Time Studios with recording engineer Jeff Forrest. Guitarist Gabe Serbian ended up leaving the band 2001 to focus on The Locust. Guitarist Josh Elmore and bassist Troy Oftedal joined the band right after.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

Cattle Decapitation's first album To Serve Man came out in 2002 and saw controversy in Germany, where distribution company SPV refused to handle the album due to its graphic cover.Metal: The Definitive Guide, page 169 The cover of the 2004 album Humanure, featuring a cow excreting human remains, was reportedly censored without permission from the label in some outlets. Record store owners did not display the album, making it difficult for customers to find and buy it.{{Cite web |url=http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/nov/19/cattle-decapitation-veggie-burgers-plus-assassin-s/ |title=Cattle Decapitation Veggie Burgers, plus History of San Diego Music Parts 1 thru 7 |last1=Sanford |first1=Jay Allen |date=November 19, 2008 |website=sandiegoreader.com |publisher=San Diego Reader |access-date=December 9, 2008 |archive-date=December 28, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081228000332/http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/nov/19/cattle-decapitation-veggie-burgers-plus-assassin-s/ |url-status=live }}File:CATTLE DECAPITATION @ Rock Al Parque 2018 - 29683320697.jpg

In August 2009, Cattle Decapitation parted ways with long-time bassist Troy Oftedal because of "musical and personal differences".{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=125163 |title=Cattle Decapitation Parts Ways With Bassist, Announces Replacement - Blabbermouth.net |work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |access-date=January 3, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090816084153/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=125163 |archive-date=August 16, 2009 }} Cattle Decapitation's album Monolith of Inhumanity was released in 2012. It received positive reviews upon release.{{cite web |url=http://www.revolvermag.com/reviews/albumreviews/review-cattle-decapitation-monolith-of-inhumanity.html |title=Review: Cattle Decapitation – Monolith of Inhumanity |access-date=January 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101083139/http://www.revolvermag.com/reviews/albumreviews/review-cattle-decapitation-monolith-of-inhumanity.html |archive-date=January 1, 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://thrashmag.com/2012/05/08/cattle-decapitation-monolith-of-inhumanity/ |title=Cattle Decapitation – "Monolith of Inhumanity" Album Review – Thrash Magazine |access-date=January 3, 2015 |archive-date=January 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103214537/http://thrashmag.com/2012/05/08/cattle-decapitation-monolith-of-inhumanity/ |url-status=dead }}

Cattle Decapitation has toured with extreme metal acts including Suffocation, Cryptopsy, The Black Dahlia Murder, Deicide, Behemoth, Hate Eternal, Krisiun, Revocation, and Job for a Cowboy.{{cite web|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/tour-dates/job-cowboy-announce-headlining-tour-cattle-decapitation-whitechapel|title=JOB FOR A COWBOY announce headlining tour with CATTLE DECAPITATION & WHITECHAPEL – Metal Injection|date=March 1, 2010|access-date=February 23, 2015|archive-date=February 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223134833/http://www.metalinjection.net/tour-dates/job-cowboy-announce-headlining-tour-cattle-decapitation-whitechapel|url-status=live}} The band also participated in Metal Blade Records' Scion A/V Showcase in late 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/188868 |title=SIX FEET UNDER, CATTLE DECAPITATION And More Confirmed For Scion A/V Label Showcase |work=bravewords.com |access-date=January 3, 2015 |archive-date=January 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101221003/http://www.bravewords.com/news/188868 |url-status=dead }}

File:CATTLE DECAPITATION @ Rock Al Parque 2018 - 30751280768.jpg

The band spent the majority of 2014 writing The Anthropocene Extinction.{{Cite web|url=https://metalstorm.net/events/news_comments.php?news_id=22175|title=Cattle Decapitation - Writing Material For New Album|website=Metal Storm|access-date=November 1, 2021|archive-date=January 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131161319/http://metalstorm.net/events/news_comments.php?news_id=22175|url-status=live}} Alongside the announcement of the album title in May 2015, the band released the first song of the record, titled "Manufactured Extinct".{{cite web |url=http://www.metalblade.com/us/news/cattle-decapitation-to-release-the-anthropocene-extinction/ |title=CATTLE DECAPITATION to release The Anthropocene Extinction this August via Metal Blade Records |author=Staff writer(s) |date=May 20, 2015 |website=metalblade.com |publisher=Metal Blade Records |access-date=May 21, 2015 |archive-date=May 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523001243/http://www.metalblade.com/us/news/cattle-decapitation-to-release-the-anthropocene-extinction/ |url-status=live }} It was released through Metal Blade on August 7, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/philip-anselmo-to-guest-on-new-cattle-decapitation-album/|title=PHILIP ANSELMO To Guest On New CATTLE DECAPITATION Album|date=May 20, 2015|access-date=August 6, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924152222/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/philip-anselmo-to-guest-on-new-cattle-decapitation-album/|url-status=live}}

On April 30, 2018, two Native American teens were pulled out of a Colorado State University tour by the police for being "too quiet" and wearing "dark clothing."{{Cite news|url=https://safety.colostate.edu/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180505120526/https://safety.colostate.edu/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2018-05-05|title=Safety {{!}} Colorado State University|date=2018-05-05|work=archive.is|access-date=2018-05-05}} When the band found out that one of the brothers was wearing Cattle Decapitation T-shirts, they offered the brothers "free guest list spots for life."{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/05/04/two-native-american-brothers-were-touring-a-colo-college-when-a-parent-called-police-they-say-it-was-racial-profiling/|title=Two Native American brothers were touring a Colo. college when a parent called police. They say it was racial profiling.|last=Swenson|first=Kyle|date=May 4, 2018|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=May 5, 2018|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=May 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505042517/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/05/04/two-native-american-brothers-were-touring-a-colo-college-when-a-parent-called-police-they-say-it-was-racial-profiling/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/cattledecapitation/posts/10155435616901517|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180505120944/https://www.facebook.com/cattledecapitation/posts/10155435616901517|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 5, 2018|title=(4) Cattle Decapitation – Posts|date=May 5, 2018|work=archive.is|access-date=May 5, 2018}}

In August 2018, the band announced the addition of Cryptopsy bass player Olivier Pinard, as well as the promotion of touring rhythm guitarist Belisario Dimuzio to being a full time member,{{Cite web|url=https://www.metalblade.com/us/news/cattle-decapitation-announces-new-band-members/|title=Cattle Decapitation announces new band members {{!}} Metal Blade Records|access-date=October 23, 2019|archive-date=October 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023093703/https://www.metalblade.com/us/news/cattle-decapitation-announces-new-band-members/|url-status=live}} thus making the group a five piece for the first time. The recording of the seventh studio album Death Atlas began in May 2019,[https://loudwire.com/cattle-decapitation-eighth-album/ CATTLE DECAPITATION TO BEGIN RECORDING EIGHTH STUDIO ALBUM] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525095206/https://loudwire.com/cattle-decapitation-eighth-album/|date=May 25, 2019}}. loudwire.com. GRAHAM HARTMANN. March 25, 2019. and was released on November 29, 2019.{{Citation |title=Cattle Decapitation - Death Atlas Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/death-atlas-mw0003320403 |access-date=2024-02-09 |language=en}}

In November 2022, the band announced at a concert in Las Vegas that they planned on releasing a new album in May 2023. At the show, they played the new song "We Eat Our Young" from the upcoming, then unnamed album.{{Cite web |last=Keenan |first=Hesher |date=2022-11-15 |title=Cattle Decapitation Play the New Track "We Eat Our Young" Live for the First Time, Reveal a New Record Could be Coming May 2023 |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2022/11/15/cattle-decapitation-play-the-new-track-we-eat-our-young-live-for-the-first-time-reveal-a-new-record-could-be-coming-may-2023/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=MetalSucks |language=en}}

The band released their eighth album, Terrasite, on May 12, 2023.{{cite web|author=Greg Kennelty|url=https://metalinjection.net/upcoming-releases/cattle-decapitation-announces-new-album-terrasite|title=CATTLE DECAPITATION Announces New Album Terrasite|publisher=Metal Injection|access-date=January 10, 2023|date=January 10, 2023}}

In mid-April 2025, Oliver Pinard announced his seemingly amicable departure from the band in order to focus on Cryptopsy and his personal life.{{cite web |title=Bassist Oliver Pinard exits Cattle Decapitation to focus on Cryptopsy. |url=https://lambgoat.com/news/47323/bassist-oliver-pinard-exits-cattle-decapitation-to-focus-on-cryptopsy/ |website=Lambgoat |access-date=19 April 2025}}

In May 2025, Metal Blade Records and NJV Media released the feature-length documentary From This Flesh: A Cattle Decapitation Story. The documentary was filmed during the recording sessions for Terrasite and focuses on the production of the album, as well as the history of the band.{{Cite web |last=Keenan |first=Hesher |date=2025-05-12 |title=Cattle Decapitation Release a Two-Hour Documentary on the Making of 'Terrasite' |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2025/05/12/cattle-decapitation-release-a-two-hour-documentary-on-the-making-of-terrasite/ |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=MetalSucks |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2025-05-12 |title=CATTLE DECAPITATION Shares Two-Hour Documentary 'From This Flesh: A Cattle Decapitation Story' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/cattle-decapitation-shares-two-hour-documentary-from-this-flesh-a-cattle-decapitation-story |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}

Graham Hartmann of Loudwire called Cattle Decapitation technical death metal.{{Cite web |last=Hartmann |first=Graham|date=2012-11-07 |title=Cattle Decapitation Exit Tour After Alleged Sucker Punch by Six Feet Under's Chris Barnes |url=https://loudwire.com/cattle-decapitation-exit-tour-after-alleged-sucker-punch-by-six-feet-under-chris-barnes/ |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=Loudwire |language=en}}

Cattle Decapitation's songs protest the exploitation and consumption of animals, the abuse of the environment and subjects such as misanthropy and genocide of the human race. Much of the band's music is based on putting humans in the situations that animals are subjected to, for example animal testing, slaughter, etc. The band's lyrics are largely concerned with human impact on the environment, the ethics of eating meat and animal rights.

Ryan comments: "Josh and I are what you would call "vegetarian". We've tried and tried to be as up front about that as possible but the entire media world thinks we are hardline vegan, which in turn trickled down to fans and we're just not. I've been vegan at points but I try to be as correct as possible and point blank, there's times on tour where I just don't know if what I've been given to eat has eggs or dairy in it and the road is rather unfriendly to us. We aren't afforded the luxury of going to a Whole Foods at 3 am after a show. At that point it's fucking Taco Bell or something disgusting. You're driving down the road burning fossil fuels and your vehicle is covered in the carcasses of insects and sometimes birds and other animals. So how far does one take it? This is why I can't claim vegan. I live my life with as much compassion as I can for others, the environment and the animals though. At home it's much easier."[https://www.moshville.co.uk/interview/2015/07/interview-travis-ryan-of-cattle-decapitation/ INTERVIEW: TRAVIS RYAN OF CATTLE DECAPITATION] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112020026/https://www.moshville.co.uk/interview/2015/07/interview-travis-ryan-of-cattle-decapitation/ |date=November 12, 2020 }}. July 22, 2015. moshville.co.uk

Metal author and journalist Garry Sharpe-Young once acknowledged the band as "one of the few metal bands whose message hits as hard as their music".

Members of Cattle Decapitation have cited Carcass, Cryptopsy, and Suffocation as influences.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

;Current

• Travis Ryan – lead vocals, keyboards, drums {{small|(1997–present)}}
• Josh Elmore – guitars {{small|(2001–present)}}
• Dave McGraw – drums, percussion {{small|(2007–present)}}
• Belisario Dimuzio – guitars {{small|(2018–present; touring 2015–2018)}}

{{col-2}}

;Former

• Scott Miller – lead vocals, guitars {{small|(1996–1997)}}
• Dave Astor – bass guitar {{small|(1996–2001)}}, drums, percussion {{small|(1997–2003)}}
• Troy Oftedal – bass guitar {{small|(2001–2009)}}
• Derek Engemann – bass guitar, keyboards {{small|(2010–2017)}}
• Olivier Pinard – bass guitar {{small|(2018–2025)}}
• Gabe Serbian – drums, percussion {{small|(1996–2001)}}, guitar {{small|(1997–2001)}} {{small|(died 2022)}}
• Michael Laughlin – drums, percussion {{small|(2003–2006, 2007)}}

{{Col-end}}

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{{Infobox artist discography

| Artist = Cattle Decapitation

| Image =

| Caption =

| Studio = 8

| EP = 4

| Music videos = 8

| Option = 1

| Option name = Split albums

| 1Option = 1

| 1Option name = Demos

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• Medium Rarities (2018){{cite web|author=Andrew Sacher|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/long-rumored-cattle-decapitation-rarities-compilation-finally-coming-this-fall/|title=Long-rumored Cattle Decapitation Rarities Compilation Finally Coming This Fall|publisher=BrooklynVegan|access-date=September 20, 2018|date=September 20, 2018|archive-date=September 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920234821/http://www.brooklynvegan.com/long-rumored-cattle-decapitation-rarities-compilation-finally-coming-this-fall/|url-status=live}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website}}
• [http://www.metalblade.com/us/artists/cattle-decapitation/ Cattle Decapitation] at Metal Blade
• {{AllMusic |class=artist |id=mn0000988168 |label=Cattle Decapitation}}

{{Cattle Decapitation}}

{{Portal bar|Rock music|United States|California}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1996 establishments in California

Category:American deathgrind musical groups

Category:American grindcore musical groups

Category:American political music groups

Category:Death metal musical groups from California

Category:Environmental musical artists

Category:Metal Blade Records artists

Category:Musical groups established in 1996

Category:Musical groups from San Diego

Category:Musical quintets from California