CANCER – TO THE GORY END – 35th ANNIVERSARY LP EDITION – OUT NOW

RELEASED ON LIMITED RED & SILVER GALAXY VINYL TO MARK 35 YEARS SINCE THE BIRTH OF CANCER’S GENRE-CLASSIC 1990 DEBUT OF TIMELESS DEATH METAL..

UK death metal gods Cancer burst onto the UK extreme metal scene over thirty five years ago, & quickly amassed a strong global following over the course of their early careers which later resulted in a stint with major label EastWest under Warner Music. After a period of inactivity, Cancer returned for 2018’s Peaceville debut, ‘Shadow Gripped’, followed up by 2025’s new opus, ‘Inverted World’.

‘To the Gory End’ was Cancer’s debut studio album, and was released in 1990. Along with sophomore opus ‘Death Shall Rise’, ‘To the Gory End’ became a firm genre classic with its influential display of sonic savagery containing fittingly shocking topics to match. The album swiftly established Cancer as one of the highlights of the rising UK death metal scene alongside such bands as Bolt Thrower and Carcass.

‘To the Gory End’ was recorded at Loco Studios in the winter of 1989, with legendary producer Scott Burns (Death, Obituary, Sepultura) overseeing the recording & also mixing duties, which subsequently took place at Morrisound in Florida, itself synonymous with the creation of many classics of the genre. The album also notably features a guest appearance by John Tardy of Obituary on the track ‘Die Die’.

CANCER’S NEW ALBUM INVERTED WORLD OUT NOW

The new album from Cancer, Inverted World, is out now.

A ferocious blend of razor-sharp riffs, guttural vocals, and uncompromising intensity, Inverted World plunges listeners into a nightmarish landscape of dystopia, corruption, and existential dread. It’s a bold reaffirmation of Cancer’s legacy — raw, dark, and devastating.

Speaking on the new album, founding member, songwriter and vocalist John Walker shared “I started writing the new material shortly after the Covid lockdowns. I nearly always usually start the writing process by basically fooling around on the guitar, then after a while riffs start to turn into musical ideas. The lyrics, I tend to spend some time thinking about a concept and then I pick the vocabulary appropriate to the idea. Inspiration comes from what’s happening and what has happened in the world and curious tales that interest me. This album is the bands seventh full length release and I feel very fortunate at my age to still be able to do it, mixed by V. Santura I’m super happy with how it’s turned out.”

“Old-school fans will rejoice. Newcomers will have their heads ripped off. Inverted World is a triumphant return to glory”

9/10

BLABBERMOUTH

 

“Technically flawless and undeniably crushing”

MOSHVILLE

 

“Cancer are back doing what they do best”

9/10

SONIC ABUSE

FREE ‘CANCER’ SEW ON PATCH WITH ALL INVERTED WORLD CD + VINYL ORDERS FROM HMV

To celebrate the release of Cancer’s new album Inverted World, HMV will be giving away exclusive sew-on patches* of the band’s infamous and classic logo. To receive one of the patches, simply order a copy of Inverted World on CD or LP from HMV – https://hmv.com/store/music/vinyl/inverted-world

*Free patch, subject to availability, while stocks last.

Sonic Abuse – 9/10 “Cancer are back doing what they do best”

Velvet Thunder – 9/10 “This is an album worthy of the Cancer name and their best since 1993. Plunge into the macabre and witness the darkness yourself”

All Inverted World orders from HMV will include an exclusive ‘Cancer’ sew on patch (whilst stocks last).

CANCER UNLEASH THEIR BRUTAL NEW SINGLE ‘AMPUTATE’

 TAKEN FROM THE UPCOMING ALBUM INVERTED WORLD (25 April 2025)

“One of the darkest episodes in history which hasn’t had much light shone on it…Get your work done OR ELSE! Inspired by the sheer brutality of fanatical slave drivers.” – John Walker

The first release from death metal legends Cancer’s upcoming album, Inverted World, is out now. ‘Amputate’ channels its dark intensity from the brutal atrocities of Belgium’s colonial rule in the Congo during the late 1800s, weaving a harrowing tale of violence and suffering. Watch the new video now by Matt Vickerstaff. Set for release on 25th April, the new album Inverted World marks a blistering return to the band’s signature fusion of serrated riffing, guttural vocals, and unrelenting aggression – a true descent into dystopia, corruption, and existential horror.

In a year which also marks the 35th anniversary of the genre-classic debut, To the Gory End, founding member and vocalist/guitarist/songwriter John Walker leads a now-revamped quartet for Cancer’s seventh full-length album in the form of Inverted World. A relentless attack of masterful song-writing and brutal hooks, Inverted World explores the dark and murky world of manipulation and barbarity both past and present, with themes relating to shadowy entities and cult mentalities, including the brainwashing of people into compliance and the weaponizing of religion. And as an extra treat for the band’s fanbase in particular, the track ‘Corrosive’ also resurrects the old and familiar tale of the acid bath murderer.

Inverted World was recorded at The Empty Hall Studio with Simón Da Silva, and mixed by V. Santura (Triptykon, Obscura, Pestilence, Dark Fortress etc) at Woodshed Studio.

CANCER RETURN WITH NEW ALBUM INVERTED WORLD (25th April)

LEAD SINGLE ‘AMPUTATE’ SET FOR RELEASE ON 14th MARCH WITH NEW VIDEO

For over 35 years UK death metal legends Cancer have been delivering some of the most brutal and uncompromising music in the genre.

Now, they return with Inverted World, their highly anticipated follow-up to 2018’s Shadow Gripped. Set for release on 25th April, the album promises a return to their signature blend of serrated riffing, guttural vocals, and relentless aggression. Expect a dark and visceral journey into dystopia, corruption, and existential horror.

Speaking on the upcoming release, founding member and vocalist John Walker shared “I started writing the new material shortly after the Covid lockdowns. I nearly always usually start the writing process by basically fooling around on the guitar, then after a while riffs start to turn into musical ideas. The lyrics, I tend to spend some time thinking about a concept and then I pick the vocabulary appropriate to the idea. Inspiration comes from what’s happening and what has happened in the world and curious tales that interest me. This album is the bands seventh full length release and I feel very fortunate at my age to still be able to do it, mixed by V. Santura I’m super happy with how it’s turned out.”

In a year which also marks the 35th anniversary of the genre-classic debut, To the Gory End, founding member and vocalist/guitarist/songwriter John Walker leads a now-revamped quartet for Cancer’s seventh full-length album in the form of Inverted World. A relentless attack of masterful song-writing and brutal hooks, Inverted World explores the dark and murky world of manipulation and barbarity both past and present, with themes relating to shadowy entities and cult mentalities, including the brainwashing of people into compliance and the weaponizing of religion. And as an extra treat for the band’s fanbase in particular, the track ‘Corrosive’ also resurrects the old and familiar tale of the acid bath murderer.

Inverted World was recorded at The Empty Hall Studio with Simón Da Silva, and mixed by V. Santura (Triptykon, Obscura, Pestilence, Dark Fortress etc) at Woodshed Studio.

THE ALBUM’S FIRST SINGLE ‘AMPUTATE’ WILL BE RELEASED ON 14th MARCH WITH A BRAND-NEW VIDEO

CANCER’S CLASSIC EARLY ALBUMS SET FOR RELEASE ON PEACEVILLE
“DEATH SHALL RISE (30 ANNIVERSARY EDITION) ”, “TO THE GORY END” AND THE “SINS OF MANKIND”

Death-Shall-Rise
To-The-Gory-End
The-Sins-Of-Mankind

UK death metal gods Cancer burst onto the UK extreme metal scene over three decades ago, & amassed a strong global following over the course of six studio albums, including a stint with major label EastWest under Warner Music. 2018’s ‘Shadow Gripped’ album reunited the core band of John Walker (guitar/vocals), Ian Buchanan (bass) and Carl Stokes (drums) for the first time since 1995 for a new masterclass of twisted brutality. And now, Peaceville Records welcomes the band’s highly influential early albums to its catalogue, namely ‘To the Gory End’, ‘Death Shall Rise’ & ‘The Sins of Mankind’.

This will commence on 3 September with a 30 anniversary release of the celebrated genre classic ‘Death Shall Rise’, released on double-CD and limited coloured vinyl format (coming in November).
Released back in 1991 near the height of the global death metal explosion, ‘Death Shall Rise’ is rightly regarded as one of the pillars of the genre from that seminal period. Joining the core trio of John Walker on guitar/vocals, Ian Buchanan on bass and Carl Stokes on drums was revered guitar virtuoso James Murphy (Death, Obituary, Disincarnate), with Deicide’s Glen Benton also contributing a guest backing vocal. ‘Death Shall Rise’ was recorded at the legendary US studio, Morrisound (Sepultura, Morbid Angel, Deicide) with equally renowned and prolific producer Scott Burns at the helm.

The double disc 30th anniversary edition of ‘Death Shall Rise’ features a fresh audio master, & the accompanying booklet contains a new interview with Carl Stokes, reflecting on the early era of the band.

Following in quick succession is a double-disc edition of cult debut ‘To the Gory End’, with 1993’s third studio album, ‘The Sins of Mankind’ closing the trilogy. Limited coloured vinyl editions will also be released in November.

“We are really excited for the re-release of our first 3 albums, especially as it’s the 30th anniversary of the album that really put us on the death metal map! “Death Shall Rise” an album full of classics such as : Hung Drawn and quartered, Tastless  incest and title track Death Shall Rise, all firm favourites in our live set. CFC”

The UK legends of death metal release the BALLCUTTER EP

+ confirm headline slot on Wacken’s Wasteland stage

VILELP813-MOCK-UP

 The limited edition 5-track BALLCUTTER EP, available on acid yellow vinyl, leads with an alternate master version of the Shadow Gripped album track ‘Ballcutter’, featuring a guest appearance from Anders Nyström of masters of Swedish brutality, Bloodbath.

Completing Side A are 2 unreleased tracks in the shape of ‘All the Curses’ & ‘Crocodile Itch’. These tracks were recorded at Foel studios, with Simon Efemey (Paradise Lost, Napalm Death, Amorphis) handling production and mixing duties.

Side B contains exclusive raw early demo versions of ‘Garrotte’ and ‘Organ Snatcher’, created in the midst of the reformation period of Cancer on the lead up to the creation of their comeback release.

Cancer SG cover

One of the UK’s premiere death metal purveyors of the late 80’s and early 90’s, & responsible for such genre classics as ‘To the Gory End’ (1990) & ‘Death Shall Rise’ (1991), Cancer marks 30 years of existence with their sixth full length studio album, reuniting all three original core members – John Walker on guitar/vocals, Ian Buchanan on bass and Carl Stokes on drums – for the first time since 1995.

‘Shadow Gripped’ features ten songs of brutal old school death metal, and was recorded at Foel studios, with Simon Efemey (Paradise Lost, Napalm Death, Amorphis) handling production and mixing duties alongside the band.

Shadow Gripped is  a crushing slab of death metal in the classic Cancer style.

The album also features a special guest appearance from Anders Nyström of Swedish deathlords, Bloodbath/ Katatonia, who comments: “Believe it or not, but Katatonia used to play a Cancer cover in our early live sets, yup that’s right ’Burning Casket’! We then saw ourselves go on and form a little death metal band based on the opening track of ’To The Gory End’, and hey we all know that one, don’t we? Last year we ended up recording this song and put it out on a 7” ep and I thought it probably won’t get any better than this, but it did, as I was given the honour to put down a guest solo on their new ball-cutting album! CFC is back and it has me even more stoked than Carl is Stokes!”

All pre-orders of Shadow Gripped on CD & LP made through Burning Shed will include a free exclusive bonus ‘crocodile itch’ digital track download – delivered on release date – with each cd or vinyl pre-order of ‘Shadow Gripped’ from the Peaceville store on Burning Shed.