Paul Mazurkiewicz's Drum Setup on Cannibal Corpse's 'Torture' (2012) | MetalForge
Paul Mazurkiewicz recorded Torture (2012) on a Pearl Reference (mature endorsement configuration, 2012) kit with a Pearl Free-Floating steel-shell snare snare.
Complete drum gear breakdown for Cannibal Corpse's Torture (2012). Paul Mazurkiewicz's Pearl Reference and Meinl rig, Erik Rutan's two-studio production, and...
Frequently Asked Questions
What kit did Paul Mazurkiewicz use on Torture?
On Torture (2012), Paul Mazurkiewicz played the same Pearl Reference kit documented on Kill (2006) and Evisceration Plague (2009) — dual 22-inch x 18-inch kick drums, a four-tom layout in maple/African mahogany hybrid shells, and his 14-inch x 6.5-inch Pearl Free-Floating steel-shell snare. His Meinl Byzance cymbal setup and Pearl Eliminator double bass pedal carried over unchanged, giving the album the same core rig as its two predecessors.
Who produced Torture and where was it recorded?
Torture was produced by Erik Rutan across two studios: drums, bass, and rhythm guitars were tracked at Sonic Ranch Studios in Tornillo, Texas, while guitar solos, additional guitar, vocals, and the final mix were completed at Rutan's own Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida. It was Rutan's third consecutive Cannibal Corpse production, and the album was mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music.
How did Torture perform commercially and critically?
Torture debuted at #38 on the Billboard 200 upon its March 13, 2012 release, selling approximately 9,600 copies in its first week — Cannibal Corpse's best chart performance to that point, surpassing Evisceration Plague's #66 debut. Critical reception was strong: AllMusic's Gregory Heaney awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars, and it posted a Metacritic aggregate score of 81/100 across seven critic reviews.
What are the standout tracks on Torture?
"Scourge of Iron" is one of the most frequently cited tracks on Torture, built around sustained high-velocity double-bass work that continues the technical peak Mazurkiewicz reached on Evisceration Plague. "Encased in Concrete" showcases the album's heavier, more deliberate mid-tempo material, giving the Pearl Reference kit's low end room to sit against the album's dense guitar mix.
Was Torture Cannibal Corpse's first album at Sonic Ranch Studios?
Torture marked the first time Cannibal Corpse tracked drums, bass, and rhythm guitars at Sonic Ranch Studios in Tornillo, Texas, after two consecutive albums — Kill (2006) and Evisceration Plague (2009) — recorded entirely at Erik Rutan's own Mana Recording Studios. Guitar solos, additional guitar, vocals, and the final mix were still completed at Mana, keeping Rutan's production identity consistent across the change in tracking room.