Paul Mazurkiewicz's Drum Setup on Cannibal Corpse's Bloodthirst (1999) | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

Who sang on Cannibal Corpse's Bloodthirst?

George 'Corpsegrinder' Fisher sang on Bloodthirst (1999). Fisher joined Cannibal Corpse in 1995 after the departure of original vocalist Chris Barnes and first appeared on Vile (1996). Bloodthirst was his second CC album, but it is widely considered the record where the Fisher-era lineup fully established its identity — more technically precise, with compositions that exploited Fisher's more flexible vocal technique. Fisher has remained CC's vocalist ever since, recording every album through Violence Unimagined (2021) and beyond. The Bleeding (1994) was the last CC album with Barnes.

What drums did Paul Mazurkiewicz use on Bloodthirst?

On Bloodthirst (1999), Paul Mazurkiewicz was evolving toward the Pearl Reference configuration that defines his modern setup. His kit featured deeper kick drums (22-inch x 18-inch, transitioning from the earlier 16-inch depth) and an expanded four-tom layout including an 18-inch floor tom not present in the debut-era setup. The shell construction was Pearl's higher-tier maple/mahogany hybrid — Pearl Masters MX or early Reference-range. He was also developing his Meinl cymbal endorsement relationship around this period. The setup was the most developed of his career to that point, matching the technical demands of the Fisher-era compositions.

Who produced Bloodthirst and what studio was it recorded in?

Bloodthirst was produced by Colin Richardson at Skyclad Recording in Burton-on-Trent, UK. This was a significant departure from Cannibal Corpse's previous four albums, all produced by Scott Burns at Morrisound Recording in Tampa, Florida. Richardson was one of the most respected metal producers in Europe, known for his work on Napalm Death's Utopia Banished (1992) and Machine Head's Burn My Eyes (1994). His production approach brought a richer, denser drum sound to Bloodthirst compared to Burns's dry, attack-forward Morrisound template — more low-end weight and shell resonance, defining the Fisher-era Cannibal Corpse sonic identity.

Why is Bloodthirst considered important in the Cannibal Corpse catalog?

Bloodthirst (1999) is considered the album where the George Fisher-era Cannibal Corpse sound fully established itself. Fisher's first album Vile (1996) and Gallery of Suicide (1998) introduced the new lineup, but Bloodthirst is the record where the Fisher-era compositions locked in with the technical precision and brutal authority that would define CC for the next two decades. The album opens with 'Dead Human Collection' — one of the most frequently cited Fisher-era CC songs — and maintains that level of intensity throughout. Colin Richardson's UK production brought a new sonic weight to the band that complemented the technical direction of the compositions.

How does Bloodthirst compare to The Bleeding in terms of drum production?

The Bleeding (1994) and Bloodthirst (1999) represent the two poles of Cannibal Corpse's production evolution. The Bleeding was Paul Mazurkiewicz's final recording under Scott Burns at Morrisound in Tampa — a dry, attack-forward production built on close-miking and controlled ambience, the refined endpoint of the Tampa death metal sound. Bloodthirst, produced by Colin Richardson at Skyclad Recording in the UK, brought a richer, denser production aesthetic with more low-end weight and shell resonance. The drum sound evolved from the bright, sharp Morrisound character to the physically heavier British metal approach — matching the greater technical complexity and compositional authority of the Fisher-era material. See the [The Bleeding drum setup article](/articles/the-bleeding-drum-setup) for direct comparison.