[3][4][5] It was released on July 13, 2004 through Metal Blade Records and has been noted for its iconic cover art, depicting a cow defecating what appears to be human body parts in a wasteland environment — the image has been compared to the artwork for Pink Floyd’s album Atom Heart Mother.

Gabe Serbian, Justin Pearson, and Robert Bray of The Locust made guest appearances on the album, along with former member Scott Miller.

[6] The cover depicting a cow defecating flesh and blood was deemed grotesque by most retailers, who refused to carry it unless it were altered.

[8] In an interview with Revolver, Benscoter claimed that the art's similarity to Pink Floyd's album was not intentional, and he did not even look at the artwork for Atom Heart Mother until the Humanure piece was already finished.

"[12] Orlando Weekly wrote that "Cattle Decapitation again provide a potent antidote to the prevalent knucklehead mindset that defines most metal.