In a recent interview with Concrete Spew, Chris Barnes, the frontman of the iconic death metal band SIX FEET UNDER, opened up about the band’s long-awaited return to the U.S. touring circuit. After a 12-year hiatus, the band is back on the road, sharing stages with heavyweights like NILE, PSYCROPTIC, and EMBRYONIC AUTOPSY. Barnes explained the reasons behind the extended break, stating, “Yeah, the first U.S. tour in 12 years, actually, for us. And, well, I guess the hiatus was due to just to being so expensive and so many things have changed. And we didn’t have a booking agent in the U.S. for many years. So there was a lot of things working against us.”
Barnes revealed that the band chose to focus on European tours during this period, waiting for the right opportunity to re-enter the U.S. market. That opportunity came with the release of their latest album, “Killing For Revenge”, and a partnership with the booking agency TKO. “When they kind of presented this tour with NILE as co-headlining tour, I couldn’t say no. It seemed like this is the one we’ve been waiting for all these years,” Barnes shared enthusiastically.
“killing For Revenge”, the band’s fourteenth studio album, dropped in May 2024 under Metal Blade Records. This marks the second collaboration between Barnes and guitarist jack Owen as their reunion for the 2020 album “Nightmares Of The Decomposed”.Owen, a former member of CANNIBAL CORPSE, also took on the role of producer for the new record. Reflecting on their partnership, Barnes said, “We worked well together in CANNIBAL CORPSE. I loved him to death as a friend and a musician,so I’m really agreeable giving him the reins because I just have such great respect for him as an artist.”
Originally formed as a side project during Barnes’ final years with CANNIBAL CORPSE, SIX FEET UNDER became his primary focus in 1995 with the release of their debut album, “haunted”. Today, Barnes is the sole original member, but he’s far from alone. The current lineup includes guitarist Ray Suhy, bassist Jeff Hughell, and drummer Marco Pitruzzella, all of whom Barnes holds in high regard. “Jeff and Marco have been with me for about 10 years,” he said. “I’m really fortunate that I have probably the best musicians in metal.Jeff is a killer bass player. Marco‘s probably the best drummer out there. Jack‘s the greatest songwriter I’ve ever been involved with over the 30-plus years I’ve been doing music professionally. And Ray is just a phenomenal guitarist who can play everything from jazz to death metal. The lineup now is untouchable.”
The album also features a standout guest appearance by guitarist Jason Suecof on the track “Neanderthal”. Mixed and mastered by Chaz Najjar at badlands Recording in Denver, Colorado, “Killing For Revenge” is available on CD, digital platforms, and vinyl, offering fans multiple ways to experiance the band’s latest work.
What are Six Feet Under’s plans for the future, besides their current U.S. tour?
Archyde Exclusive Interview: Chris Barnes on Six Feet Under’s U.S.Tour Comeback and the Future of Death Metal
By Archys, Archyde News Editor
In the world of death metal, few names resonate as powerfully as Chris Barnes. As the frontman of the legendary band Six Feet Under, Barnes has been a defining force in the genre for over three decades. After a 12-year hiatus from U.S. touring, Six Feet Under is back, and fans couldn’t be more thrilled. In an exclusive interview with Archyde,Barnes opened up about the band’s return,the challenges they faced,and what the future holds for death metal.
archyde: Chris, thank you for joining us. It’s been 12 years since Six Feet Under last toured the U.S. What finally brought you back?
Chris Barnes: Thank you for having me. Yeah, it’s been a long time coming. The main reason for the hiatus was just how expensive touring in the U.S. had become. A lot of things changed over the years—rising costs, logistical challenges, and we didn’t have a U.S. booking agent for a while. It felt like everything was working against us. But we never stopped playing; we focused on Europe and other markets where the demand was strong. Now, with the right team in place and the timing feeling right, we’re excited to reconnect with our U.S. fans.
Archyde: You’re sharing the stage with bands like Nile, Psycroptic, and Embryonic Autopsy on this tour. How does it feel to be back alongside such heavyweights?
Chris Barnes: It’s amazing. These bands are pushing the boundaries of the genre, and it’s inspiring to share the stage with them. Nile, for example, has been a force in technical death metal for years, and Psycroptic brings this insane energy. It’s a reminder of how vibrant the scene still is. Touring with bands like these keeps us on our toes and reminds us why we do this.
Archyde: You mentioned focusing on Europe during the hiatus. How does the U.S. metal scene compare to Europe’s?
Chris Barnes: Europe has always been incredibly supportive of death metal. The festivals there are massive, and the fans are so dedicated. The U.S. scene is different—it’s more spread out, and the infrastructure for touring can be challenging.But the passion of the fans is the same. I think the U.S. scene is experiencing a resurgence, and we’re seeing a new generation of bands and fans keeping the genre alive.
Archyde: Six Feet Under has been a staple in death metal as the ’90s. How do you see the genre evolving, and where do you see your place in it?
Chris Barnes: Death metal has always been about pushing boundaries, and that hasn’t changed. What’s different now is the diversity within the genre. You’ve got bands blending death metal with black metal, doom, even jazz influences. It’s exciting to see. As for us, we’ve always stayed true to our roots—brutal, guttural, and unapologetically heavy. I think that’s why we’ve endured. we’re not trying to reinvent the wheel; we’re just here to deliver the kind of music that made us fall in love with death metal in the first place.
Archyde: What can fans expect from this tour? Any surprises?
Chris Barnes: We’re pulling out all the stops. We’ve got a mix of classics and newer material, and we’re bringing that raw, visceral energy that Six Feet Under is known for. We’ve also got some special visuals and stage elements to make this tour unforgettable.It’s been 12 years,so we want to make it worth the wait.
Archyde: what’s next for Six Feet Under after this tour?
chris Barnes: We’re already working on new material. I’ve been writing a lot,and the band is firing on all cylinders.We’re also looking at more international tours and possibly some festival appearances. The goal is to keep the momentum going and keep delivering the kind of music our fans deserve.
Archyde: Chris, thank you for your time. Welcome back to the U.S., and we can’t wait to see you on stage.
Chris Barnes: Thank you. It’s great to be back. See you in the pit!
Six Feet Under’s U.S. tour is a testament to the enduring power of death metal and the unwavering dedication of its fans. With chris Barnes at the helm, the band continues to prove why they remain one of the genre’s most iconic acts. Stay tuned to Archyde for more updates on Six Feet Under and the world of heavy music.
For tour dates and tickets, visit Six Feet Under’s official website.
