Originally founded in 1996, Cattle Decapitation's songs protest the mistreatment and consumption of animals as well as the abuse of the environment. Lyrics may also focus on subjects such as misanthropy and genocide of the human race. Much of their music is based on putting humans in the situations that animals are subjected to (animal testing, slaughter, etc).
Their 2002 album To Serve Man saw controversy in Germany, where distribution company SPV refused to handle the album due to its graphic cover. The cover of the 2004 album Humanure, featuring a cow excreting human remains, was reportedly censored without permission from the label in some outlets. Record store owners did not display the album, making it difficult for customers to find and buy it.
Former member Gabe Serbian is a member of the band The Locust.
Metal author and journalist Garry Sharpe-Young once acknowledged the band as "one of the few metal bands whose message hits as hard as their music."
Cattle Decapitation has toured with many death metal bands including Suffocation, Cryptopsy, The Black Dahlia Murder, Deicide, Behemoth, Hate Eternal, Krisiun, and Job For A Cowboy. Their album The Harvest Floor was released in 2009.
The band has been cited repeatedly for being an early influence to bands such as Job For A Cowboy, The Black Dahlia Murder as well as a legion of "deathcore" hopefuls.
In August 2009, Cattle Decapitation parted ways with long-time bassist Troy Oftedal because of musical and personal differences.
Their 2012 album, Monolith of Inhumanity, was met with positive reviews upon release for introducing a more melodic tone - ultimately skyrocketing the band's influence and engaging a new audience. Their latest album, The Anthropocene Extinction, received the same feedback, with Metacritic giving it an 86/100. The Anthropocene Extinctions's lyrical content follows their normal style of the effects of mankind's influence on the environment, such as the Great Pacific garbage patch.
Not Suitable For Life
Cattle Decapitation Lyrics
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Of earth, of terra, of gaia
a spreading cancer, the self-destruct financer
Earth's largest natural disaster
So this is what you want?
A world not suitable for life?
(Self-damning idiots, with traits abhorrent and hideous)
Shit on your systems, to hell with your decisions
As long as gravity holds these two feet to the ground
I stand here guilty in sadness and humility
Part of the problems never to solve them
In a way we have become culturally dumb
How can you look me in the eyes
And tell me you're proud OD what you've done within this life?
Ignoring the trash heap that is our daily lives
a disparaging wasteland, a hell on earth paradigm
Extinction level living - the fate of all unwinds
Too ignorant, too selfish to read the warning signs
So this is what you want?
A world not suitable for life?
(Self-circling vultures, damming garbage cultures)
Fuck your traditions, fuck your religions
Fuck your systems and fuck your decisions
How can you look me in the eyes and tell me you're proud
of what you've done within this life?
Your footprint can't dematerialize and when you die
Look where you've left your children behind a world unsuitable for life
The first set of lyrics describe Earth as a planet dealing with a dangerous cancer-like problem which is contributing to making the planet uninhabitable. The "self-destruct financer" refers to the belief that humans are financing and causing their own demise. The song's title, "Not Suitable For Life", is mentioned in these lyrics due to the dire state of Earth. The accompanying lines contain rage and disappointment aimed at the people who have continued to hurt Earth by upholding harmful traditions and religions, making poor decisions, and ignoring existing problems. Despite these emotions, the singer still recognizes the guilt they hold and how humans, as a culture, have become too ignorant to recognize the crisis at hand. The second part of the song describes the hopeless situation that humans have created for themselves. The lyrics talk about how we are refusing to take heed of warning signs and keep living in wasteful and selfish manners, leading to the destruction of the planet. Additionally, the lyrics describe how humans should be ashamed of their actions and the imprint they've left on the world - a metaphorical trash heap - that will be left for future generations.
Overall, Cattle Decapitation is pointing out the significant impact human's actions have on the planet while emphasizing the long-term impact it has on the world.
Line by Line Meaning
On this celestial body, third planet from the sun
This is a description of Earth's position.
Of earth, of terra, of gaia
Various names for the planet Earth.
a spreading cancer, the self-destruct financer
Humans are responsible for Earth's destruction.
Earth's largest natural disaster
Humans are the biggest threat to Earth.
So this is what you want?
A question directed at humanity.
A world not suitable for life?
A criticism of humanity's actions.
(Self-damning idiots, with traits abhorrent and hideous)
A condemnation of humanity as foolish, disgusting creatures.
Damn your traditions, god damn your religions
Blaming traditional beliefs for environmental destruction.
Shit on your systems, to hell with your decisions
Disgust with the way humanity operates.
As long as gravity holds these two feet to the ground
Humans are stuck on Earth and must face the consequences of their actions.
I stand here guilty in sadness and humility
The artist acknowledges their part in environmental destruction.
Part of the problems never to solve them
The artist feels helpless to solve the problems they contributed to.
In a way we have become culturally dumb
Humanity is not learning from its mistakes.
How can you look me in the eyes
Directly addressing humanity.
And tell me you're proud of what you've done within this life?
Questioning humanity's pride in its accomplishments.
Ignoring the trash heap that is our daily lives
People are overlooking the harm they are causing on a daily basis.
a disparaging wasteland, a hell on earth paradigm
The world is becoming more and more hostile to life.
Extinction level living - the fate of all unwinds
The artist predicts a bleak future for Earth.
Too ignorant, too selfish to read the warning signs
Blaming humanity's lack of awareness and concern for the environment.
(Self-circling vultures, damming garbage cultures)
Further criticism of humanity's selfish and disgusting behavior.
Fuck your traditions, fuck your religions
A further attack on traditional beliefs.
Fuck your systems and fuck your decisions
Disgust with humanity's actions.
Your footprint can't dematerialize and when you die
The impact humans have on the environment remains after they die.
Look where you've left your children behind a world unsuitable for life
Humans are leaving behind a world that is not fit for their own children to live in.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOSH ELMORE, DEREK PAUL ENGEMANN, DAVID MCGRAW, TRAVIS RYAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind