Representative Albums: "Severed Survival/Retribution for the Dead," "Torn from the Grave," "Shitfun"
Biography
Often credited as the originators of the death metal offshoot style called Grindcore, gross-out experts Autopsy had a short but, erm, colorful history. Founded by ex-Death drummer Christ Reifert shortly after he relocated to San Francisco in 1987, the group was rounded out by guitarists Eric Cutler and Danny Coralles and bassist Ken Sorvari, with Reifert also handling vocal duties. Signed to U.K.-based indie label Peaceville on the strength of 1988's Critical Madness demo, they released their debut Severed Survival two years later. Mirroring the work of fledgling English Grindcore groups like Napalm Death and Carcass, the album combined traditional death metal vocals and aggression with slower, grinding riffs and utterly repellent splatter-gore lyrics. It also boasted a cameo from another Death alum, bassist Steve DiGiorgio, but Steve Cutler was handling the four string workload come 1991 -- a busy year which saw them issuing two E.P.'s, Fiend for Blood and Retribution for the Dead as well as long player named Mental Funeral. None of these seemed to aid the band's cause, however, and neither did 1992's Acts of the Unspeakable album (featuring next bassist Josh Barohn), which is perhaps best remembered for cover artwork so shocking, Australian customs officials immediately confiscated all units upon arrival. A long period of inactivity followed, but Autopsy eventually returned for a final gratuitous and scatological adieu via 1995's Shitfun album, featuring yet another bassist, one Freeway Migliore. Finally satisfied that they'd wreaked enough havoc, Reifert and Coralles moved on to a new project called Abscess and the former later joined Nuclear Assault's Danny Lilker in the Ravenous. 2001 saw the release of a best of set entitled Torn from the Grave, but assuming this will wrap up the band's trajectory may only encourage them to make a comeback (so let's not and say we did). ~ Ed Rivadavia, All Music Guide
Autopsy was featured in the 2005 music documentary Metal: A Headbanger's Journey when the film's narrator and star read aloud a verse from the band's song "Charred Remains."
Reunion
For years, there had been speculation about the possibility of an Autopsy reunion. Asked in May 2004 if there was any consideration for a reunion, guitarist Danny Coralles replied:
“
I can tell you there will never be an Autopsy reunion. Chris feels that nobody gave a fuck about Autopsy when they were together, but right after they disbanded, all he was ever asked about was Autopsy when he was trying to shelve it and get people to check out Abscess. And I agree that Abscess is very underrated. If those guys (Abscess) did their next record and called it an Autopsy release, without changing anything, it would sell shitloads just because of the "classic underground band" stigma attached to Autopsy. That's what I think anyway, some might disagree.[2]
”
In September 2008, members of Autopsy briefly reunited in the studio to record two new tracks (that are very similar to the old material of Autopsy) for the special edition of their 1989 classic debut Severed Survival, which was released on February 23, 2009.[3] The tracks, marking the band's first recording since 1995, were included on the reissue's second disc.
In July 2009, it was announced that the band would be reconvening to play the Maryland Deathfest.[1] It is not yet known whether or not the reunion is permanent or whether there will be any more gigs.
