Brandon Ellis Joins Cannibal Corpse as Touring Guitarist for Fall 2025 U.S. Tour
In a move that has quickly ignited excitement across the death metal world, Cannibal Corpse have officially announced that Brandon Ellis, formerly of The Black Dahlia Murder, will step in as touring guitarist for their upcoming fall 2025 U.S. tour. Ellis will temporarily replace longtime guitarist Rob Barrett, who is unable to join the trek.
The tour kicks off September 15 in Nashville, TN, and runs through October 22 in Charlotte, NC, featuring a crushing lineup of support acts: Municipal Waste, Full of Hell, and Fulci. For fans of extreme music, this run promises to be one of the most essential death metal packages of the year.
Ellis, who departed The Black Dahlia Murder earlier this year after nearly a decade of service and three full-length albums with the band, has established himself as one of modern metal’s most dynamic and technically gifted guitarists. His past work with Arsis and his standout contributions to The Black Dahlia Murder’s catalog have made him a respected figure within the scene.
On social media, Ellis shared his enthusiasm for the opportunity:
“I will be playing guitar with Cannibal Corpse this fall, standing in for Rob Barrett. I’m honored to help out and put on a killer death metal show for you all. See you there!”
For Cannibal Corpse, the addition of Ellis ensures that the band’s trademark brutality and precision will not only be preserved but potentially elevated with his distinct shredding style. Fans can expect the setlist to draw heavily from their acclaimed 2023 release Chaos Horrific, alongside a career-spanning selection of classics.
The timing couldn’t be more fitting. With death metal currently experiencing a new surge of underground vitality, Cannibal Corpse’s decision to bring in Ellis demonstrates both confidence and forward momentum. This is not just a substitution, but a union of two forces from different corners of extreme metal, promising something special onstage.
For diehard followers of Cannibal Corpse, this tour is shaping up to be a landmark moment, one that will fuse legacy, brutality, and fresh firepower in equal measure.
Cannibal Corpse 2025 U.S. Tour Dates (w/ Municipal Waste, Full of Hell, Fulci)
Sept 15 – Nashville, TN
Sept 16 – Atlanta, GA
Sept 18 – Dallas, TX
Sept 19 – Houston, TX
Sept 21 – Phoenix, AZ
Sept 22 – Los Angeles, CA
Sept 23 – San Francisco, CA
Sept 25 – Portland, OR
Sept 26 – Seattle, WA
Sept 29 – Denver, CO
Oct 2 – Chicago, IL
Oct 4 – Toronto, ON
Oct 5 – Montreal, QC
Oct 7 – Boston, MA
Oct 8 – New York, NY
Oct 10 – Philadelphia, PA
Oct 11 – Baltimore, MD
Oct 22 – Charlotte, NC
(Full ticket info available via the band’s official channels.)
Editorial Take – Metal Detector:
This lineup speaks volumes about where death metal is in 2025. A veteran institution like Cannibal Corpse doesn’t just recruit any player, they chose Brandon Ellis because he embodies technical command and a passion that fans can trust. This tour won’t simply be another chapter in the band’s legacy, but potentially a turning point in how we look at cross-pollination within the extreme metal community.
