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Erik Rutan (Born 1971) is a former guitarist for Morbid Angel and Ripping Corpse. He fronts Hate Eternal on lead vocals and guitar, a four-piece brutal death metal band. 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. He produced the Cannibal Corpse albums Kill and Evisceration Plague, Six Feet Under's Commandment, Through the Eyes of the Dead's Malice and Goatwhore's A Haunting Curse. 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. He also produced Through the Eyes of the Dead's new album and Cannibal Corpse's tenth and eleventh studio albums, Kill and Evisceration Plague, respectively.

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. 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.

Erik has been asked twice to re-join Morbid Angel since 2006, and he has turned down both offers.