Erik Rutan
Erik Rutan on stage @ El Corazon in Seattle
Background information
Born	1971
Genre(s)	Death metal Brutal death metal Thrash metal Progressive metal Symphonic metal
Occupation(s)	Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist
Instrument(s)	Vocals, Guitar
Associated acts	Hate Eternal, Morbid Angel, Ripping Corpse, Alas
Notable instrument(s)
B.C. Rich Guitars

Erik Rutan (Born, 1971) is a former guitarist for Morbid Angel and Ripping Corpse. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs fast tempos heavily distorted guitars deep growling vocals morbid lyrics Brutal death metal is a musical genre focusing on pushing the envelope on heaviness speed advanced playing technique and aggressive delivery in the genre of Death metal. Thrash metal (sometimes referred to simply as thrash) is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized by its fast tempo and aggression Progressive metal (often referred to simply as prog metal) is a sub-genre of Heavy metal music which blends the powerful guitar-driven sound of metal with the complex Symphonic metal or opera metal is a term used to describe Heavy metal music that has symphonic elements that is elements that sound similar to a A musician is a person who plays or writes Music. Musicians can be classified by their roles in creating or performing music An instrumentalist plays a A songwriter is someone who writes the Lyrics to songs the Musical composition (chords or Melody to songs or both A guitarist is a Musician who plays the Guitar. Guitarists may perform solo pieces or play with ensembles and bands of a wide variety of genres A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified for the purpose of making Music. Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles Hate Eternal is a Death metal band from St Petersburg Florida. Morbid Angel is an American Death metal band based in Tampa Florida. Ripping Corpse was an American based Death metal band formed in 1987 Alas are an Operatic Progressive metal band from Tampa, Florida, U BC Rich is a manufacturer of Guitars and Bass guitars started by the late Bernardo Chavez Rico in the early 1970s Morbid Angel is an American Death metal band based in Tampa Florida. Ripping Corpse was an American based Death metal band formed in 1987 He fronts Hate Eternal on lead vocals and guitar, a four-piece brutal death metal band. Hate Eternal is a Death metal band from St Petersburg Florida. Brutal death metal is a musical genre focusing on pushing the envelope on heaviness speed advanced playing technique and aggressive delivery in the genre of Death metal. Aside from being a highly regarded self-taught lead guitarist, he also runs his own recording studio in Florida (Mana Recording Studios), and is making a name for himself as a producer. Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the He produced the latest Cannibal Corpse album (Kill), Six Feet Under album (Commandment),Through the Eyes of the Dead (Malice) and Goatwhore (A Haunting Curse). Cannibal Corpse is an American Death metal band founded in 1986 Kill is the tenth album by the American Death metal band Cannibal Corpse, released on March 21 2006 Six Feet Under (often abbreviated SFU) is an American Death metal band formed as a Side project in 1993 by Cannibal Corpse Commandment is an album by Death metal band Six Feet Under. It was released April 17th 2007 on Metal Blade Records. Through the Eyes of the Dead is a Deathcore band from Florence, South Carolina which incorporates elements of Death metal into their style Malice is Through the Eyes of the Dead 's second full-length follow-up to 2005's Bloodlust. Goatwhore is an American Blackened death metal band formed in 1997 in Thibodaux, Louisiana. A Haunting Curse is Goatwhore 's third full-length studio album He rejoined Morbid Angel as guitarist for their European tour summer 2006. Morbid Angel stated the following on the reunion: "This will certainly be an exciting event with the 'Domination' lineup together for the first time in 10 years!"

In 2007 he produced the Vital Remains album Icons of Evil. Vital Remains is an American Death metal band from Providence Rhode Island formed in 1989 Icons of Evil is the fifth album by Vital Remains. It was released in April 2007 He also produced Through the Eyes of the Dead's new album. Through the Eyes of the Dead is a Deathcore band from Florence, South Carolina which incorporates elements of Death metal into their style

In addition to his work with legendary death metal artists, Erik has also done a number of different side projects that highlight different aspects of his playing. For example, he formed the group Alas with former Therion vocalist Martina Astner, releasing the landmark progressive metal album "Absolute Purity" in 2001. Alas are an Operatic Progressive metal band from Tampa, Florida, U Therion is a Swedish Symphonic metal band founded by Christofer Johnsson in 1987 Martina Astner ( née Hornbacher) is an Austrian Vocalist known for contribution with bands Therion With female lead vocals, orchestral synths, and a heavy emphasis on harmony and melody, "Absolute Purity" was a definite departure from Rutan's usual songwriting approach and a testament to his versatility within the genre.

"Rutan" means "the square" in swedish.

Equipment

Rutan plays B.C. Rich Ironbird guitars, EMG Pickups, and Marshall Amplifiers. BC Rich is a manufacturer of Guitars and Bass guitars started by the late Bernardo Chavez Rico in the early 1970s EMG Inc is the current legal name of a company based in Santa Rosa, California which manufactures Guitar pickups. Marshall Amplification is a British company which designs and manufactures music amplifiers.