The Grisly Tale Behind “Eaten Back to Life”

On August 17, 1990, the world was served a hefty plate of horror when Cannibal Corpse released their debut studio album, “Eaten Back to Life”. The band didn’t just pick any spot to lay down the tracks. They headed to Morrisound Recording in Tampa, Florida, a hub known for churning out death metal classics.

The artwork, crafted by Vince Locke, speaks volumes about the controversy that followed. Countries threw up bans left and right, but let’s be real, you’re not here for the politics.

So what’s on the menu lyrically? It’s a smorgasbord of gore, death, and even dark humor. Take songs like “Shredded Humans” and “Edible Autopsy”. They don’t skimp on the grisly details. Then you’ve got tracks like “The Undead Will Feast” and “Born In A Casket”, making you rethink that zombie apocalypse plan.

But wait, there’s more! The band sprinkles in a bit of levity with dark humor in tracks like “Bloody Chunks” and “A Skull Full of Maggots”. But don’t mistake this for comedy hour. This album dives deep into the human psyche with songs like “Put Them To Death”, scrutinizing the minds of killers. Oh, and if you’re into the medical side of horror, tunes like “Rotting Head” and “Scattered Remains, Splattered Brains” will feed that craving.

This album is dedicated to the memory of Alferd Packer, the first American cannibal (R.I.P.).

And then, a twist. The album doesn’t just leave you high and dry. In the inlay, there’s this line: “This album is dedicated to the memory of Alferd Packer, the first American cannibal (R.I.P.).” Now, if that doesn’t pique your interest in the dinner guest they’ve honored, I don’t know what will.

Alferd Packer’s Mysterious Journey

Alferd Packer: a name that rings a bell in the annals of American dark tales. Born in 1842 in Pennsylvania, this self-styled wilderness guide dabbled in prospecting. He even did a brief stint in the Union Army during the Civil War but was shown the door due to epilepsy.

Flash forward to 1873. Packer caught the gold fever and joined a crew of 21 men. Their goal? Trek from Utah to Colorado’s gold fields. Let’s just say they didn’t exactly pack enough for the trip. Hardships plagued them, including brutal weather and skimpy supplies.

By February 1874, Packer and five other desperadoes split from the main group. Their plan? Find a shortcut to golden riches. They vanished into the Colorado wild, never to be seen as a group again.

He looked well-fed, almost plump, and his pockets jingled with a questionable amount of cash.

Two months later, in April, Packer strolled back into civilization. His appearance raised eyebrows, to say the least. He looked well-fed, almost plump, and his pockets jingled with a questionable amount of cash. When grilled, he first said he survived on roots and herbs. But could roots and herbs tell the whole story?

From Cannibal to Convict

A confession came after all. Alferd Packer finally spilled the beans. According to him, the group dwindled one by one. First, a natural death, then a frenzied fight for survival. Packer said he killed the last man standing in self-defense. Then, he ate to stay alive.

Packer said he killed the last man standing in self-defense. Then, he ate to stay alive.

The law caught up with him. He stood trial and got slapped with a death sentence. But luck had a weird way of sticking with him. A loophole in the law spared him. At a redo in 1886, the charge dropped to manslaughter. His new sentence? 40 years.

In 1901, Packer walked out of prison on parole. He led a quiet life, blending into society’s background noise until he died in 1907.

Chewing on Alferd Packer’s Lasting Legacy

The tale of Alferd Packer keeps on giving, doesn’t it? From pop culture nods to academic debates, this guy is everywhere. Packer’s gruesome exploits have been repackaged into songs, plays, and movies. Talk about a killer career in entertainment.

If you’re ever in Colorado, you can grab a bite at the Alferd Packer Restaurant & Grill. Yep, you read that right—a cafeteria named in his honor. They even serve a burger called “The Packer”. Can’t make this stuff up.

People love to chew on Packer’s tale in ethical debates about survival cannibalism. It’s a story that doesn’t just fill your stomach; it gnaws at your moral compass too.

This man is a complex character. In some corners, he’s lauded as a dark folk hero. In others, he’s more of a cautionary tale, warning us of the abyss that is human nature.

Museums and historical tours in Colorado have also hitched their wagons to the Packer bandwagon. His story adds a whole new layer of grit to the gold rush history of the state.

So, love him or loathe him, Alferd Packer keeps us coming back for seconds. His legacy is a smorgasbord of intrigue, discussion, and good old-fashioned horror.