American death metal veterans Six Feet Under have officially parted ways with drummer Marco Pitruzzella, bringing in Ruston Grosse as his permanent replacement.
The band released an official statement on May 28 detailing the lineup shift ahead of their upcoming live commitments. According to the announcement, the group has been quietly rehearsing with their new addition for several months before making the transition official.
“Just wanted to let all our fans, worldwide, know that we are beyond excited to start our European tour this coming week, and kicking off our intense summer touring schedule which will last into the fall and finish up in South America in October/November. We also would like you to help us welcoming our new drummer!! Ruston Grosse who has previously worked with Master, and others! we have been working together with Ruston for a few months preparing, and formally since the beginning of May after we parted ways with Marco Pitruzzella.”
The statement continued with high praise for the new rhythm section dynamic:
“Everyone in the band is very excited about this new chapter of Six Feet Under and the heavy groove that Ruston is bringing to the rhythm section!! He’s a brutalizer! And a great guy.”
Following the band’s official post, Ruston Grosse shared his own statement regarding his new role and his eagerness to perform alongside vocalist Chris Barnes, guitarist Jack Owen, guitarist Ray Suhy, and bassist Jeff Hughell.
“I’m absolutely f**kin’ stoked to pummel the masses with the guys on these next attacks!!! It’s an honor to share the stage with Chris, Jack, Ray, & Jeff as well to be stepping in for Lord Marco. Get your a**es out to the show or fest and prepare to be crushed because let me tell ya… WAR IS COMING!!!”
Based in South Florida, Ruston Grosse has built a strong reputation as a versatile and precise drummer across the extreme metal underground. He is well-known for his work with Master and Skeletal Remains, alongside recording and performing with a wide array of acts including Brutality, Woe, Inhuman Condition, and Kult Ov Azazel. Additionally, he has previously filled in as a live drummer for Incantation. Beyond his extensive metal resume, he is a multi-instrumentalist who leads the experimental project Amesa Spentas and holds deep experience in jazz and world fusion styles.
The lineup change arrives as Six Feet Under actively promotes their latest studio album, Next To Die, which was released on April 24 through Metal Blade Records. The record serves as the direct follow-up to their 2024 album Killing For Revenge and stands as the third collaborative release between Chris Barnes and Jack Owen, both founding and former members of Cannibal Corpse, since they reunited in 2017. The new album was produced by Jack Owen and Chris Barnes, with mixing and mastering duties handled by Mark Lewis at MRL Studios in Nashville.
Six Feet Under initially began as a side project for Chris Barnes during his final years fronting Cannibal Corpse, before becoming his sole creative focus in 1995 with the release of their debut album Haunted.
The band is set to embark on a headlining European tour in June with support from Embryonic Autopsy. Following their overseas dates, Six Feet Under will launch a major North American tour running from July 8 in Detroit through August 11 in Chicago, featuring supporting acts Kataklysm and Wormhole.
Six Feet Under June 2026 European Tour Dates:
- 06/03 – Gdansk, POL @ Mystic Festival
- 06/04 – Berlin, GER @ Franz
- 06/05 – Emmen, NET @ Pitfest
- 06/06 – Cologne, GER @ Gebaude 9
- 06/07 – Saarbrucken, GER @ The Garage
- 06/10 – Kosice, SLO @ Colloseum
- 06/12 – Nickelsdorf, AUT @ Nova Rock Festival
- 06/13 – Budapest, HUN @ A38
- 06/14 – Ljubljana, SLO @ Orto bar
- 06/16 – Memmingen, GER @ Kaminwerk
- 06/17 – Munich, GER @ Backstage Halle
- 06/19 – Aschaffenburg, GER @ Colo-Saal
- 06/20 – Dessel, BEL @ Graspop Metal Meeting
- 06/21 – Clisson, FRA @ Hellfest
- 06/23 – Hamburg, GER @ Logo
- 06/24 – Copenhagen, DEN @ Copenhell
- 06/26 – Spalese Porici, CZE @ Basinfire
- 06/27 – Hauteville, SWI @ Abyss Festival
Six Feet Under w/ Kataklysm, Wormhole:
- 7/08 Sanctuary – Detroit, MI
- 7/09 Lee’s Palace – Toronto, ON ^
- 7/10 Fairmount – Montreal, QC ^
- 7/11 Overflow – Ottawa, ON ^
- 7/12 Palladium Upstairs – Worcester, MA
- 7/13 Space Ballroom – Hamden, CT
- 7/14 Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY
- 7/15 Broken Goblet – Bensalem, PA
- 7/16 Chapel of Bones – Raleigh, NC
- 7/17 Albatross – Jacksonville, FL
- 7/18 Culture Room – Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 7/19 Conduit – Orlando, FL
- 7/21 Scout Bar – Houston, TX
- 7/22 Come and Take It Live – Austin, TX
- 7/23 Jake’s – Lubbock, TX
- 7/24 Lauter Haus – Farmington, NM
- 7/25 Nile – Phoenix, AZ
- 7/26 1720 – Los Angeles, CA
- 7/27 Strummer’s – Fresno, CA
- 7/28 Cornerstone – Berkeley, CA
- 7/29 Goldfield – Roseville, CA
- 7/30 Shredder – Boise, ID *
- 7/31 Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR
- 8/01 El Corazon – Seattle, WA
- 8/02 Rickshaw – Vancouver, BC ^
- 8/04 Arrowhead – Calgary, AB ^
- 8/05 Starlite Room – Edmonton, AB ^
- 8/06 Black Cat – Saskatoon, SK ^
- 8/07 Park Theatre – Winnipeg, MB ^
- 8/08 Skyway Theatre – Minneapolis, MN
- 8/09 The Annex – Madison, WI
- 8/10 Madison Theater – Covington, KY
- 8/11 Reggies – Chicago, IL
- * No Kataklysm
- ^ Kataklysm headlines
