CATTLE DECAPITATION

We are horrible people

-The artwork for the album is extremely shocking. It shows people being herded like cattle to a slaughterhouse. As far as I know, the booklet is also very extreme and features even more shocking pictures. Could you tell me some more? 
The booklet from the cover to the back page is a piece of art in it's own.  Wes Benscoter did an incredible job with the cover.  The photos were taken by Sawa in a slaughterhouse.  All the gore contained in those photos are legit.  It was a "diamond in the rough" scenario with Sawa and the slaughter house.  The layout was done by Cain, who does our My Space and everything.  The people behind the booklet did an amazing job.

-The cover art and whole album layout were made by famous American artist Wes Benscoter but the idea came from the band itself, right? What did you guys suggest to him? Did you ask Wes to make as strong visuals as possible?
 Wes's artwork speaks for it's self.  He and I were eye to eye with the over all concept.  It's mindblowing stuff.  I strongly urge any fan to get the cover design tee shirts as well.  There will be a picture disc available in April as well.  Very limited run, so get yours before they're gone.

-Benscoter also did some graphics for your first two albums. Right?
Wes did the cover for the Metal Blade albums.   The first two albums were done by an artist in Argentina, who would create these pieces of art with roadside dead. Those covers are extremely graphic, but yet easy on the eyes.

-As far as I remember, in the past the band encountered some problems of censorship. Do you expect any new problems that come to affect the new effort? Well, you shouldn't be afraid, all publicity is good publicity...  
Well "censorship" is weird.  Let's look at what it was.  First, Metal Blade Records in no way shape or form has ever told us to tone it down.   Now certain retail chains won't carry album covers that are offending or what have you.  Like Germany, they have banned Cannibal Corpse records.  For a consumer environment where supply and demand are the decision makers,  it's cut and dry.  If you have an album cover where a steer is shitting out human remains,  yeah Best Buy may not be into it.  The Harvest Floor is a brilliant piece of art, and conceptually heavy.  The booklet is LOADED with gore.  The way it was planned.

-Personally, I have nothing against such an extreme way of expression. In my opinion shocking people is a very good, sometimes the only possible way to stimulate their imagination and thinking skills. Can you agree?
Easily 2 of the most controversial covers are Carcass (Reek & Symphonies) and Brujeria (Matando Gueros) covers.  Those covers make an imprint on you.  You never forget them.  They're sooo striking you want to hear what the music sounds like.  And sure enough, it is exactly what you'd imagine. So The Harvest Floor  absolutely has that same vibe to it.  

-Are there any boundaries of „good taste” and „decency” you would never exceed in your art?   Ha, well anything is up for grabs.  We're decent guys though.  That's a loaded question, next question...

-OK, as you wish. Your music and lyrics have always been fulfilled with anger and wrath. Do you feel that anger bears any lasting importance in your creative process?
Without a doubt,  everyone needs some sort of fire to ignite a passion for creative outlets.

-Unfortunately, I haven't got an opportunity to watch your new video for „Regret & The Grave” yet. But I saw some pictures on your website and  it seems like it's gonna be another powerful videoclip. Could you tell me some more about that one?      
You will have to wait for the video.  It's currently in review at MTV.  It is powerful.  We revisited the same slaughterhouse that we did the photo shoot at.  It was shot on a cold winter day, and it came out amazing.



-I read somewhere that you have a burger named after you. Holy fuck! Can you tell me about it? Is it a vegetarian burger or what?  
All that matters is that it's delicious.  I mean eating oatmeal is vegetarian...  Welcome to flavor country....

-It must be quite funny „Two Cattle Decapitation please, with mustard, mayonnaise and salad” hehehe. Okay, are there any other secrets about CATTLE DECAPITATION?
The secret ingredient... lets just say when we left the slaughter house, we didn't leave empty handed....  haha.  Troy actually works at the place (Hamiltons), so he has confirmed it's comical when people (non fans) order it.

-What's next? What are the band's plans for the rest of the year?
Touring and touring.  Hopefully venturing across the pond to visit all the Euro fans... once you guys are all done with your amazing festivals...

-OK, we're close to the end of this interview. Let me know what are your expectations and ambitions with the release of „The Harvest Floor” and I will let you go.
The fans set the expectations for us.  The more support the more Cattle decapitation will do!  Thanks for the interview!

www.cattledecapitation.com
www.myspace.com/cattledecapitation

Line-Up:
Travis Ryan - Vocals
Josh Elmore - Guitar
Troy Oftedal - Bass
David McGraw - Drums

Discography:
Human Jerky (EP 1999)
Homovore (EP 2000)
To Serve Man (2002)
Humanure (2004)
Karma. Bloody. Karma (2006)
The Harvest Floor (2009)