Barrett was born in
Buffalo, New York. Barrett started playing guitar at age 15, and his brother’s friend sold him his first guitar for $30. It was a flying-V shape. He started his professional career in 1990 when he formed the band
Solstice with drummer Alex Marquez and guitar player Dennis Muñoz. The band recorded a demo in 1991 produced by Jim Morris and signed a record deal with the German label SPV/Steamhammer. In 1992 they released their debut album entitled
Solstice (the name changed to "The Sentencing" on some pressings). That same year, Barrett and Marquez decided to join
Malevolent Creation after their previous drummer and second guitar player didn't show up to a rehearsal, putting Solstice on hiatus. They took part on the recording of
Retribution and toured with the band.
Cannibal Corpse In February 1993, Barrett was contacted by Alex Webster and asked to join Cannibal Corpse a few months following the release of
Tomb of the Mutilated, as a guitar fill-in for Bob Rusay. Barrett had known the band prior due to their mutual locality, and from their bands sharing a van together on a previous tour. Barrett commented in a 1993 interview, "The kids in Europe were disappointed about it, 'cause [they were like], 'What happened to Bob?! He was the brutal-ist!' So I kind of had my work cut out for me, you know?" He stayed with the band for the subsequent tours and eventually became a permanent member. He recorded the 1994 album
The Bleeding and the 1996 album
Vile. He also made a brief
cameo appearance with the band in the 1994 film
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective starring
Jim Carrey. In 1997, Barrett left Cannibal Corpse due to musical differences and was replaced by
Pat O'Brien. Barrett rejoined Malevolent Creation in 1997, staying with the band for seven years. Barrett returned to Cannibal Corpse in 2005, replacing
Jack Owen. Barrett formed the death metal band HatePlow with guitarist Phil Fasciana and late drummer "Crazy" Larry Hawke, both members of Malevolent Creation. Barrett was the original vocalist, the band eventually got Kyle Symons to join on vocals due to Barrett's commitment to Cannibal Corpse Although HatePlow was intended initially as mere a fun side-project, the trio recorded a four-song demo that enjoyed a wide spread throughout the underground trading circuit. After his departure from
Cannibal Corpse Barrett extended his commitment to Malevolent Creation & HatePlow and participated in the recording of the albums
Everybody Dies and
The Only Law Is Survival which came out in 1998 and 2000 respectively. In 2004, he left HatePlow. The same year Barrett left, the "Moshpit Murder" compilation was released which features tracks recorded live during "The Only Law Is Survival" U.S tour with
Stormtroopers Of Death in 2000, tracks from their 1996 demo, and one song from their 1999 demo that was done with a drum machine.
Collaborations and side-projects Since the 2000s Barrett has made a few guest appearances, providing extra guitar playing for bands such as Eulogy,
Hollenthon,
Infernäl Mäjesty,
Pro-Pain and Unearthed. In 2005 Barrett joined in on the recording of the
Roadrunner United album
The All-Star Sessions where he played guitar on the tracks "Annihilation by the Hands of God" and "Constitution Down". In 2019, Rob Barrett recorded with death metal band
Deicide for a tribute album for the 40th anniversary of the
Dayglo Abortions titled "Fuck The World If It Can't Take a Joke". The track recorded was "Inside My Head" from their 1985 release
Feed Us a Fetus. In the mid-2000s, Barrett planned on starting a hardcore band with J.C. Dwyer on drums and Jonathan Buske on bass. It is currently unknown if a name was decided or if any recordings exist. == Equipment ==