View source for Alex Webster

{{short description|American bassist (born 1969)}}
{{for|the American football player|Alex Webster (American football)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{BLP primary sources|date=January 2016}}
{{Cleanup rewrite|date=July 2023}}
}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Alex Webster
| image             = Cannibal Corpse - 2024275214324 2024-10-01 Cannibal Corpse - Sven - 1D X MK II - 1119 - B70I6697 (cropped).jpg
| caption           = Webster performing in 2025
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|1969|10|25}}
| birth_place       = [[Akron, New York]], U.S.
| genre             = {{flatlist|
* [[Death metal]]
* [[thrash metal]]
* [[symphonic metal]]
* {{nowrap|[[progressive metal]]}}
}}
| occupation        = {{flatlist|
* Musician
* songwriter
}}
| instrument        = Bass guitar
| years_active      = 1987–present
| current_member_of = {{flatlist|
* [[Cannibal Corpse]]
* [[Blotted Science]]
* [[Conquering Dystopia]]
}}
| past_member_of    = {{flatlist|
* [[Alas (American band)|Alas]]
* Beyond Death
* [[Hate Eternal]]
}}
| spouse            = {{marriage|Alison Webster|2001}}
}}

'''Alex Webster''' (born October 25, 1969) is an American musician who is the bassist and a co-founder of the [[death metal]] band [[Cannibal Corpse]]. He is one of two original remaining members, alongside drummer [[Paul Mazurkiewicz]]. He is also the bassist of [[Blotted Science]] and the [[Supergroup (music)|supergroup]] [[Conquering Dystopia]]. Before Cannibal Corpse was formed, he was a member of Beyond Death.

== Musical career ==
[[File:Alex Webster in Rostock, 2012.jpg|thumb|Webster in [[Rostock]], 2012|left]]Webster was born in [[Akron, New York]].{{Cn|date=February 2025}} Webster was born into a musical family. Webster's father was partially of [[Scottish people|Scottish]] descent and played in a [[Bagpipes|bagpipe]] band, performing in [[Carnival|carnivals]] in various small towns. Webster's mother was a self-taught [[pianist]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Invisible Oranges |title=Interview: Cannibal Corpse's Alex Webster |url=https://www.invisibleoranges.com/interview-cannibal-corpses-alex-webster/ |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=Invisible Oranges - The Metal Blog |language=en-US}}</ref> His experience performing music live was in a school [[talent show]] playing [[Bruce Springsteen]] and [[Bob Seger|Bob Segar]] covers.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WewvwF2eTVY |title=20 Questions With Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse) |date=2018-11-03 |last=Granville Guitars |access-date=2025-03-06 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

Webster was originally part of the band Beyond Death, with ex-Cannibal Corpse guitarist [[Jack Owen]], in 1987. Both met up with [[Chris Barnes (musician)|Chris Barnes]], Bob Rusay and [[Paul Mazurkiewicz]], all of whom were in the band ''Tirant Sin''. Webster was the one to come up with the band's name, Cannibal Corpse.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGPot3rP53o&t=3153s |title=Cannibal Corpse - Centuries of Torment - DVD 1 - History (OFFICIAL) |date=2013-11-20 |last=Metal Blade Records |access-date=2025-03-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

Webster recorded bass for [[Hate Eternal]], [[Erik Rutan]]'s death metal band. 

In 2005, Alex was contacted by guitarist [[Ron Jarzombek]] about a possible collaboration which became [[Blotted Science]], an all-instrumental extreme metal project. They released their debut album, ''[[The Machinations of Dementia]]'', in the fall of 2007.

== Artistry and influences ==
[[File:Cannibal Corpse - Wacken Open Air 2015-3443.jpg|left|thumb|Webster performing at Wacken Open Air 2015]]
Webster's [[Heavy metal bass|bass playing]] has been likened to "booming, sloppy [[spaghetti]] strings."<ref>{{Cite web |last=MetalSucks |date=2009-01-28 |title=CANNIBAL CORPSE AND NAPALM DEATH TAKE THE YOUNGSTERS TO SCHOOL |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2009/01/28/cannibal-corpse-and-napalm-death-take-the-youngsters-to-school/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=MetalSucks |language=en}}</ref> He plays bass with his fingers and does not use a pick. He has cited [[Billy Sheehan]], [[Geddy Lee]], [[Cliff Burton]], [[Steve Harris (musician)|Steve Harris]], and [[Steve Di Giorgio]] as influences on his bass playing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bellerpublished |first=Bryan |date=2020-01-08 |title=Alex Webster: to the extreme |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/alex-webster-to-the-extreme |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=Guitar World |language=en}}</ref> He has also expressed his fondness of [[Slayer]], and that if any band could cover a Cannibal Corpse song, it would be Slayer.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="autogenerated2" />

Webster's five all-time favorite albums are (in descending order) [[Accept (band)|Accept]]'s ''[[Restless and Wild]]'', [[Morbid Angel]]'s ''[[Altars of Madness]]'', [[Metallica]]'s ''[[Master of Puppets]]'', [[Iron Maiden]]'s ''[[Powerslave]]'' and [[Slayer]]'s ''[[Reign in Blood]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Invisible Oranges StaffInvisible Oranges |date=2012-11-05 |title=Interview: Cannibal Corpse's Alex Webster |url=https://www.invisibleoranges.com/interview-cannibal-corpses-alex-webster/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007004115/https://www.invisibleoranges.com/interview-cannibal-corpses-alex-webster/ |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |access-date=2023-06-24 |website=Invisible Oranges - The Metal Blog |language=en}}</ref> and, in a 2006 interview with LambGoat.com, Webster named his five favourite albums of the past five years as [[Spawn of Possession]]'s ''[[Cabinet (album)|Cabinet]]'', [[Necrophagist]]'s ''[[Epitaph (Necrophagist album)|Epitaph]]'', [[Aeon (band)|Aeon]]'s ''[[Bleeding the False]]'', [[Hate Eternal]]'s ''[[I, Monarch]]'', and [[Spastic Ink]]'s ''[[Ink Compatible]]''.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |date=July 15, 2006 |title=Cannibal Corpse interview // Interviews // Features // Lambgoat |url=http://www.lambgoat.com/features/interviews/cannibal_corpse.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716075407/http://www.lambgoat.com/features/interviews/cannibal_corpse.aspx |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |access-date=2011-09-14 |publisher=Lambgoat.com}}</ref>[[File:Cannibal Corpse Rockharz 2018 12.jpg|thumb|Webster performing at Rockharz Open Air 2018 in Ballenstedt, Germany.]]

When describing his relationship with music, he has stated "I just always liked music since I was a little kid. Music was always a soundtrack in my head to things going on in my life. I always wanted to play. I wanted to play drums when I was about three. I made a drum out of an old butter container and hit it with tinker toys. I was going to make music. Most people who are musicians didn't have to have anyone tell them to do it. I would never push music on someone, because it is something that doesn't need to be pushed. If you're going to make music, you're going to make it."<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Cyanide-Assassin's Journal – Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse) interview |url=http://www.last.fm/user/Cyanide-Assasin/journal/2006/12/10/287075/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204010557/http://www.last.fm/user/Cyanide-Assasin/journal/2006/12/10/287075/ |archive-date=December 4, 2007 |access-date=2011-09-14 |publisher=Last.fm}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite web |author=Karma E. |title=Cannibal Corpse interview |url=http://www.fourteeng.net/cannibalcorpse.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824200240/http://www.fourteeng.net/cannibalcorpse.html |archive-date=August 24, 2011 |access-date=2011-09-14 |publisher=Fourteeng.net }}</ref>

In addition to rock and heavy metal music, Webster has cited influence from [[classical music]] on his craft, such as [[1812 Overture]] and the early work of [[Ludwig van Beethoven|Beethoven]].  He said, "that's really heavy stuff [...] you know, when those guys wanted to do heavy music, that was heavy before there were electric instruments. [...] You know, writing something heavy does not depend on electricity. One of the heaviest things out there [is] "[[The Planets]]" by [[Gustav Holst]]" [...] He wasn't letting the lack of gain or distortion get in the way of something super heavy!"<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WewvwF2eTVY |title=20 Questions With Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse) |date=2018-11-03 |last=Granville Guitars |access-date=2025-03-06 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

When asked about his favorite Cannibal Corpse song, Webster answered: "I don't know, it would be hard to choose one that's the "best", but one of my favorites is "From Skin to Liquid", mainly because it was so different for us. It showed we didn't necessarily have to be playing at warp drive and have gory lyrics to be heavy."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cannibalcorpse.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15047 |title=Official Cannibal Corpse forum |publisher=cannibalcorpse.org |access-date=2011-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002235528/http://www.cannibalcorpse.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15047 |archive-date=October 2, 2011 }}</ref>

Webster is known for his interaction with fans of the band, regularly answering questions on the band's forum.<ref>{{cite web |title=Official Cannibal Corpse forum |url=http://www.cannibalcorpse.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911173742/http://www.cannibalcorpse.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=22 |archive-date=September 11, 2011 |access-date=2011-09-14 |publisher=cannibalcorpse.org}}</ref>

== Equipment ==
[[File:20160515 Gelsenkirchen RockHard Festival Cannibal Corpse 0214.jpg|left|thumb|Webster performing at Gelsenkirchen RockHard Festival]]
Webster currently uses [[Spector (company)|Spector]] 'Alex Webster Signature Edition'<ref>{{cite web |title=Stuart Spector Designs, LTD – Makers of electric and bass guitars |url=http://www.spectorbass.com/europe/neck-thru/artists_webster.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919101610/http://www.spectorbass.com/europe/neck-thru/artists_webster.html |archive-date=September 19, 2012 |access-date=2011-09-14 |publisher=Spectorbass.com}}</ref> (based on Euro 5lx basses), [[DR Strings]], and His signature Hammer Smashed Bass pickups by [[Seymour Duncan]] paired with a [[Darkglass Electronics]] tone capsule preamp wired for 18 volt operation.{{Cn|date=January 2025}}

On the first two Cannibal Corpse albums, Webster played a [[Fender Precision Bass]] that was purchased for him by his mother for his 19th birthday.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzLLt_yA7QM |title=Cannibal Corpse's Gear |date=2009-02-14 |last=j v |access-date=2025-01-27 |via=YouTube}}</ref> 

==Personal life==
Webster lives with his wife, Alice Webster in [[Oregon]], [[United States|U.S.]] He is [[agnosticism|agnostic]], though he was "brought up with a fairly religious upbringing [which was] [[Protestantism|Protestant]], [[Methodism|Methodist]]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hartmann |first=Graham |date=2012-08-07 |title=Cannibal Corpse's Alex Webster Discusses 'Torture,' Summer Slaughter + Religion |url=https://loudwire.com/cannibal-corpse-alex-webster-discusses-torture-his-religious-upbringing-more/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624161404/https://loudwire.com/cannibal-corpse-alex-webster-discusses-torture-his-religious-upbringing-more/ |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |access-date=2023-06-24 |website=Loudwire |language=en}}</ref>

Webster is known to enjoy an assortment of different physical activities, such as [[weightlifting]], [[mountain biking]], [[running]] and [[hiking]]. He told ''[[Decibel (magazine)|Decibel]]'' in 2022: "Death metal is one of the most physically demanding types of music, so for the musicians in it, they have to almost be thinking like an athlete to have longevity." Like Cannibal Corpse drummer [[Paul Mazurkiewicz]], Webster is a [[Vegetarianism|vegetarian]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Cosmo |date=2022-11-14 |title=Health Awaits: Cannibal Corpse's Alex Webster on Being Run Obsessed |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2022/11/14/health-awaits-cannibal-corpses-alex-webster-on-being-run-obsessed/ |access-date=2025-08-09 |website=Decibel Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

Aside from metal, Webster has also expressed a liking for Ohio [[New wave music|New Wave]] band [[Devo]],<ref name="autogenerated2" /> and, when asked what a musical [[guilty pleasure]] of his was, he replied "there's some good songs from [[No Doubt (No Doubt album)|the first]] [[No Doubt]] album".<ref name="autogenerated2" />

==Legacy==
The prehistoric giant [[marine worm]] species ''[[Websteroprion|Websteroprion armstrongi]]'' is partially named after Webster.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Eriksson |first1=Mats E. |last2=Parry |first2=Luke A. |last3=Rudkin |first3=David M. |date=2017-02-21 |title=Earth's oldest 'Bobbit worm' – gigantism in a Devonian eunicidan polychaete |journal=Scientific Reports |language=en |volume=7 |issue=1 |article-number=43061 |doi=10.1038/srep43061 |pmid=28220886 |pmc=5318920 |bibcode=2017NatSR...743061E |s2cid=12024958 |issn=2045-2322}}</ref> Luke Parry, one of the scientists who described the species, said of the name, "Mats and I are both massive [[Heavy metal subculture|metalheads]] and think Alex Webster is a monstrously good bass player... (He) just seemed like the perfect fit for a giant worm with saw-like jaws."<ref name=Worm>[https://gizmodo.com/this-400-million-year-old-worm-monster-is-metal-as-hell-1792584414 This 400-Million-Year-Old Worm Monster Is Metal as Hell] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007004115/https://gizmodo.com/this-400-million-year-old-worm-monster-is-metal-as-hell-1792584414 |date=October 7, 2024 }}, by Rae Paoletta, at [[Gizmodo]]; published February 21, 2017; retrieved March 29, 2017</ref>

== Discography ==

=== Cannibal Corpse ===
{{Main|Cannibal Corpse discography}}

* ''[[Eaten Back to Life]]'' ''(1990)''
* ''[[Butchered at Birth]]'' ''(1991)''
* ''[[Tomb of the Mutilated]]'' ''(1992)''
* ''[[The Bleeding (album)|The Bleeding]]'' ''(1994)''
* ''[[Vile (album)|Vile]]'' ''(1996)''
* ''[[Gallery of Suicide]]'' ''(1998)''
* ''[[Bloodthirst (album)|Bloodthirst]]'' ''(1999)''
* ''[[Gore Obsessed]]'' ''(2002)''
* ''[[The Wretched Spawn]]'' ''(2004)''
* ''[[Kill (Cannibal Corpse album)|Kill]]'' ''(2006)''
* ''[[Evisceration Plague]]'' ''(2009)''
* ''[[Torture (album)|Torture]]'' ''(2012)''
* ''[[A Skeletal Domain]]'' ''(2014)''
* ''[[Red Before Black]]'' ''(2017)''
* ''[[Violence Unimagined]]'' ''(2021)''
* ''[[Chaos Horrific]]'' ''(2023)''

=== Blotted Science ===
{{Main|Blotted Science#Discography}}

* [[The Machinations of Dementia]] (2007)

=== Conquering Dystopia ===
{{Main|Conquering Dystopia#Discography}}

** ''[[Conquering Dystopia (album)|Conquering Dystopia]]'' (2014)

==See also==
* [[Florida death metal]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{wikiquote|Alex Webster}}{{Cannibal Corpse}}
{{Blotted Science}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Webster, Alex}}
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American rock bass guitarists]]
[[Category:American agnostics]]
[[Category:American heavy metal bass guitarists]]
[[Category:American male bass guitarists]]
[[Category:People from Akron, New York]]
[[Category:American death metal musicians]]
[[Category:Cannibal Corpse members]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:Guitarists from New York (state)]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:Blotted Science members]]
[[Category:Conquering Dystopia members]]