"Viewing this video causes me muscle strains in my arms": The intense, shred-heavy clip has stealthily ascended to one of our most popular viewing sessions.
Crank That Dirty Riff
You know that mesmerizing internet gem that's taken the world by storm? Yep, we're talking about that absolutely bonkers guitar performance by Erik Rutan, a death metal virtuoso par excellence. But how did this video become a smash hit on our YouTube channel? Well, let's rock 'n' roll this analysis.
Two factors are at play here: Erik Rutan and...well, let's just say the mysterious, life-giving force that binds cold-blooded fret slayers together. A nod from YouTube metal maven Karl Rock might've given it a push, but this video probably skyrocketed thanks to good old-fashioned word-of-mouth.
Last year, the video found its tribe, views soared like the North Star, and the comments flooded in. One viewer exclaimed, "I've got a serious arm cramp just watching this," while another hailed it as "the best fucking riff ever." One witty observer even quipped, "That freaking guitar needs a cigarette." That's just a taste of the hilarious and adoring feedback we've been basking in.
It's no surprise, really. If you're ready to roll through some extreme death metal riffage, Cannibal Corpse, pioneers since the '90s death metal boom, are your go-to band. Their 15th studio album, Violence Unimagined, blessed us with Erik Rutan's virtuosic touch when he joined forces with the band.
In 2021, Erik shared a playthrough of the Violence Unimagined track "Condemnation Contagion," just primed for our delight. His main ride was a BC Rich USA Ironbird, kitted out with a Gibson Dirty Fingers humbucker at the bridge and a Bill Lawrence L-500 at the neck. He beefed up the sound with a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, a Marshall cabinet loaded with Greenback speakers, and a Maxon ST9 Pro+ juice pack.
Erik's innovative rhythm approach carried a perfect balance of chunky power chords, ear-pleasing pinch harmonics, and hair-raising blast beat tremolo-picked lines. His solos sashayed between melodic octave phrases and scorching harmonic minor melody-drenched shredfests. The result: a grizzly, grotesque addition to Cannibal Corpse's murderous legacy.
Erik explained, "This was the last song I wrote for our new album Violence Unimagined. It came to be during the full-on COVID-19 pandemic. Heavy and dark in its origins, the song unfolded like nothing I've ever crafted before."
Pro tip: Keep an eye (and an ear) out for those arm cramps.
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[1] Enrichment Data (Technical Display and Musicality)[2] Enrichment Data (Brutality and Complexity)[3] Enrichment Data (Promotion and Engagement)[4] Enrichment Data (Community Interest)[5] Enrichment Data (Timing and Relevance)
- Erik Rutan, known for his incredible performance on the Gibson Dirty Fingers humbucker guitar, used an amp stack consisting of a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, a Marshall cabinet loaded with Greenback speakers, and a Maxon ST9 Pro+ juice pack to create the captivating sound heard in his playthrough of Cannibal Corpse's "Condemnation Contagion."
- The mesmerizing video of Erik Rutan's guitar performance that went viral on YouTube showcased his unique technique, which included a balance of chunky power chords, pinch harmonics, blast beat tremolo-picked lines, and melodic octave phrases, earning it praise as "the best fucking riff ever" by viewers.
- To fully immerse yourself in the world of extreme death metal, check out Cannibal Corpse's music, particularly their 15th studio album, Violence Unimagined, which features Erik Rutan's virtuosic guitar skills and sustainable promotion through online channels like YouTube, allowing you to shred along and expand your entertainment experience.
