"The first two-thirds of this set are classic-sounding sick and twisted extreme death metal with lyrics drenched in gore, hate, murder, and necrophilia. While it would initially seem that any metal band whose scope is deliberately limited would fall into a creative rut and end up irrelevant, Cannibal Corpse, as always, prove the exception ... you may find yourself wishing Red Before Black was a tad shorter than 43 minutes. That complaint aside, the remainder is essential Cannibal Corpse".