Late last year, we were stunned to hear about the arrest of Cannibal Corpse guitarist Pat O’Brien while firefighters were battling a blaze at his home. O’Brien faced charges with burglary and charging an officer with a knife and was released from jail a few days later after making a $50,000 bail. Things have been rather quiet since Cannibal Corpse made a statement that assured fans they will continue with their upcoming tours as planned. Unfortunately, it looks like O’Brien needs additional time as these death metal legends have recruited Hate Eternal’s Erik Rutan to fill in for their upcoming Decibel tour and the next leg of Slayer’s final North American trek.
The band issued the following statement:
“Cannibal Corpse have announced that Erik Rutan will fill in for guitarist Pat O’Brien as O’Brien tends to personal issues. Rutan will appear live with the band for the Decibel Magazine Tour and the upcoming US leg of Slayer’s final tour happening this May alongside Slayer, Lamb of God, and Amon Amarth. This won’t be the first time these death metal powerhouses have worked together; Rutan has produced four albums with Cannibal Corpse (Kill, Evisceration Plague, Torture, Red Before Black) and is uniquely equipped to fill the role – he is one of the death metal’s most acclaimed guitarists and is known for his time as part of Morbid Angel (who are co headlining the Decibel tour alongside Cannibal) throughout the 90s and early 2000s, as well as handling vocals/guitars and production duties for his current band Hate Eternal.”
