Is Vile a good place to start with Cannibal Corpse?

Yes, Vile is recommended as a starting point for new Cannibal Corpse listeners. A relentless barrage of aggressive riffs and guttural growls that pushes the limits of extreme metal's sonic violence. Released on May 21, 1996, 'Vile' is Cannibal Corpse's fifth studio album and marks a crucial point in their career following the commercial success of 'The Bleeding'. By this time, the band had solidified its lineup with guitarist Pat O'Brien, which contributed to an evolution in their sound and lyrical themes, further establishing them as leaders in the death metal genre.

Vile works well if you're into steady intensity from start, relentless energy for workouts and cathartic release of aggression.

How many songs are on Vile?

Vile has 11 tracks, running approximately 37 minutes.

Released 30 years ago

Vile

Cannibal Corpse · 1996

37 min · 11 tracks · death metal

A relentless barrage of aggressive riffs and guttural growls that pushes the limits of extreme metal's sonic violence.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Devoured by Vermin Start here — The opening track sets a ferocious tone with its relentless pace and vivid imagery of decay, exemplifying Cannibal Corpse's signature style.
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Mummified in Barbed Wire — This song showcases intricate guitar work alongside grotesque lyrical content, highlighting the band's technical prowess and thematic concerns.
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Eaten From Inside — With its haunting melodies intertwined with brutal rhythms, this track represents a sonic peak on the album while exploring themes of bodily horror.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album delivers intense aggression with solid execution but may not offer significant depth for repeated listens.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent tempo that rarely drops below fast-paced, with most tracks maintaining a relentless energy throughout.
Each song typically follows a structure of alternating aggressive riffs and guttural growls, creating a uniform sound across the record.
Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo changes, particularly in the bridges, which heighten the intensity before returning to the main riff.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady intensity from start
relentless energy for workouts
cathartic release of aggression
for headbanging sessions

Maybe skip if you

prefer melodic and soft sounds
seek narrative-driven listening

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Established wider recognition following the success of 'The Bleeding'.
Themes: bodily horror· decay and decomposition· extreme violence imagery
Career context: Released on May 21, 1996, 'Vile' is Cannibal Corpse's fifth studio album and marks a crucial point in their career following the commercial success of 'The Bleeding'. By this time, the band had solidified its lineup with guitarist Pat O'Brien, which contributed to an evolution in their sound and lyrical themes, further establishing them as leaders in the death metal genre.
Stylistic neighbors: Deicide· Obituary· Dying Fetus