Cannibal Corpse: 'Centuries Of Torment: The First 20 Years' DVD

It's very common for bands to throw together a concert and a few backstage extras and release a DVD. It's quick and easy, and a good way to keep a band in the forefront between CDs. Those serve a purpose, but when DVDs like Centuries Of Torment: The First 20 Years are released it puts those others to shame.

Cannibal Corpse are one of the biggest and influential bands in extreme music. Often controversial, they paved the way for countless death metal bands that followed. Their story is important in the history of heavy metal, and Centuries Of Torment: The First 20 Years does a great job telling the story of Cannibal Corpse.

The centerpiece of the 3 DVD set is the three hour band history. It starts at the beginning in Buffalo, New York and chronicles their story up to the present day. The number of people interviewed is staggering. From friends and family members that were there at the start to music executives to other bands, and of course the past and present members of Cannibal Corpse themselves, you get many different perspectives on the band's history.

The second DVD is packed with performances. There are a couple songs from way back in 1989, and also a bunch of stuff from recent years. There are 30 live tracks. In addition, there are seven music videos of songs such as "Devoured By Vermin" and "Make Them Suffer." The 3rd DVD is bonus material. The set clocks in at a whopping seven hours of content.

Centuries Of Torment: The First 20 Years is an important DVD, both in terms of Cannibal Corpse's history and the history of American death metal in general. It's also very interesting and entertaining, and a must own for Cannibal Corpse fans.

(released July 8, 2008 on Metal Blade Records)