Death Metal

Death metal is a genre of heavy metal music that originated in the early 1980s in the United States. The style features aggressive growled vocals, fast drumming, and heavily distorted guitars with complex time signatures and intricate solos. Death metal is known for its dark lyrics dealing with themes such as violence, death, and horror. The origins of death metal can be traced back to the early 1980s in Florida, where bands like Death and Morbid Angel were starting to experiment with a heavier, more aggressive sound. These bands were heavily influenced by the early thrash metal bands like Slayer, Venom, and Kreator, but they were determined to push the boundaries of the genre. The first death metal record was released in 1985 by the band Possessed, with their album "Seven Churches." This album is considered to be a groundbreaking release in the history of death metal, as it introduced many of the genre's signature elements, such as growled vocals and rapid-fire drumming. The album also featured dark, horror-themed lyrics, marking a departure from the more traditional heavy metal themes of the day. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, death metal exploded in popularity, with bands like Obituary, Cannibal Corpse, and Deicide leading the charge. These bands were known for their intense live performances and their uncompromising approach to music. Death metal became a global phenomenon and soon spread beyond the United States and Europe to countries like Brazil, Japan, and Australia. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, death metal continued to evolve, with bands like Opeth and Nile incorporating elements of progressive rock and Egyptian music into their sound. However, the genre's popularity began to wane, and by the mid-2000s, many death metal bands had either disbanded or changed their sound to appeal to a wider audience. Today, death metal remains an important genre within the heavy metal scene, with new bands continuing to emerge and push the boundaries of the style. Although the genre has come a long way since its inception in the early 1980s, death metal remains true to its roots, with its dark, aggressive sound and subject matter.

Chuck Schuldiner: Considered by many to be the "father of death metal," Schuldiner founded the band Death in the early 1980s and helped pioneer the genre with albums like "Scream Bloody Gore" and "Leprosy." He passed away in 2001, but his influence on the genre is still felt today. George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher: Known for his impressive growling vocals, Fisher is the lead singer of Cannibal Corpse and has been with the band since 1995. He is a fan favorite and has been featured in many of the band's most popular tracks. David Vincent: Known for his deep voice and impressive range, Vincent was the lead singer of Morbid Angel from the late 80s until the mid 90s. His contributions helped push the band to new heights of popularity and cemented their status as one of the most influential death metal bands of all time. Mikael Åkerfeldt: The founder of Opeth, Åkerfeldt is known for his blending of death metal with progressive rock and other genres. His songwriting and musicianship are highly regarded, and he has been praised for his ability to create complex and intricate compositions. Trey Azagthoth: As the founder and lead guitarist of Morbid Angel, Azagthoth has been at the forefront of the death metal scene since the late 80s. He is known for his technical proficiency and virtuosic playing style, and his contributions to the genre cannot be overstated. Martin van Drunen: As the lead singer of Pestilence and Asphyx, van Drunen has been a major force in the death metal scene since the late 80s. His impressive growling vocals and powerful stage presence have made him a fan favorite. Steffen Kummerer: The founder and lead singer of Obscura, Kummerer is known for his technical skill and unique blend of death metal with progressive and jazz influences. He has been a major influence on the tech-death subgenre and is highly respected within the metal community. Nergal: As the founder and lead singer of Behemoth, Nergal has been a major player in the blackened death metal scene since the early 90s. His powerful growling vocals and intense stage presence have made him a beloved figure among fans of extreme metal. Karl Sanders: As the founder and lead guitarist of Nile, Sanders has been at the forefront of the death metal scene since the late 90s. He is known for his precise playing style and unique blend of brutal death metal with Middle Eastern influences. Chuck Billy: Although best known as the lead singer of thrash metal band Testament, Billy's foray into death metal with the band Death Angel helped lay the groundwork for the genre as we know it today. His contributions to the early development of death metal cannot be understated.

1. Death - Scream Bloody Gore 2. Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness 3. Deicide - Deicide 4. Cannibal Corpse - Tomb of the Mutilated 5. Obituary - Slowly We Rot 6. Slayer - Reign in Blood 7. Darkthrone - A Blaze in the Northern Sky 8. At the Gates - Slaughter of the Soul 9. Carcass - Heartwork 10. Bolt Thrower - Realm of Chaos 11. Entombed - Left Hand Path 12. Suffocation - Effigy of the Forgotten 13. Possessed - Seven Churches 14. Behemoth - The Satanist 15. Emperor - In the Nightside Eclipse 16. Gorguts - Obscura 17. Cryptopsy - None So Vile 18. Necrophagist - Epitaph 19. Sepultura - Beneath the Remains 20. Dismember - Like an Ever Flowing Stream 21. Paradise Lost - Gothic 22. Immolation - Here in After 23. Deathspell Omega - Fas - Ite, Maledicti, in Ignem Aeternum 24. Meshuggah - Chaosphere 25. Nile - Annihilation of the Wicked

One notable book on the topic is "Choosing Death: The Improbable History of Death Metal and Grindcore" by Albert Mudrian. The book explores the origins and evolution of the subgenre, and includes interviews with musicians, producers, and fans. Mudrian writes, "What death metal presented in lyrical and visual imagery shocked and appalled many who came across it... But there were others who saw in the genre a kind of liberation from conventional modes of thought and expression." In an interview with Decibel Magazine, legendary death metal vocalist Jeff Becerra stated, "Death metal really is the only genre that encompasses everything that's dark and heavy, and really the only genre that isn't comfortable." His statement speaks to the extreme nature of death metal, and the discomfort it can cause for mainstream audiences. Noted music critic Jon Pareles wrote in The New York Times, "The various subgenres of heavy metal have not always been reviled, but death metal has an added level of notoriety. Its bands revel in morbid imagery and play at ear-splitting volumes." This sentiment is shared by many outsiders to the genre who find the explicit imagery and harsh sound of death metal off-putting. On the other hand, fans of death metal often laud the genre for its authenticity and cathartic qualities. In her book "Sonic Screamers: How Death Metal Musicians Harness Their Music for Political Protest", Mary R. Desjardins argues that the genre allows for expression of anger and rage that may be suppressed in other areas of life. She writes, "death metal musicians and fans feel that their music and subculture provide an outlet for marginalized people to collectively and cathartically vent their anger and frustration." Similarly, in an interview with Metal Injection, death metal vocalist Corpsegrinder of Cannibal Corpse stated, "If you don't believe in these things, and you sing about them, you're not gonna be as passionate as someone who actually believes in the stuff they write about." His statement speaks to the authenticity of death metal lyrics and how they are often rooted in genuine emotion and experience.

The social context that gave rise to Death Metal can be understood in the broader context of the music scene of the 1980s. During this time, metal music was becoming increasingly popular, with bands such as Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth leading the way. However, some fans and musicians believed that metal was becoming too commercialized and losing its edge. As a response, they began to experiment with new forms of metal that were more raw and extreme. Death Metal, then, was born out of a desire to push the boundaries of metal music. It was a reaction against the commercialization of the metal scene and a call for more authentic and inventive music. This rejection of commercialism and conformity was reflected in the lyrics of Death Metal bands, which often dealt with topics such as violence, death, and the occult. The cultural context of Death Metal is also significant. The genre was embraced by a small but dedicated group of fans who identified with its anti-establishment ethos and outsider status. Death Metal shows were often held in small clubs and venues, and fans formed tight-knit communities around the genre. The music and lyrics of Death Metal were often controversial and provocative, and the genre was frequently criticized as being too extreme or even immoral. Despite this, Death Metal slowly gained a following, and several notable record labels emerged to support the genre. These labels, such as Earache Records, Roadrunner Records, and Nuclear Blast, were important in providing a platform for Death Metal bands to reach wider audiences. Many of these labels also supported other forms of extreme metal, such as black metal and grindcore. In addition to record labels, journalists and other figures also played a role in the development of Death Metal. Music journalists such as Don Kaye, John Peel, and Malcom Dome were early supporters of the genre, and helped to promote Death Metal through their writing and radio programs. Artists such as Thomas Börje Forsberg (also known as Quorthon), the founder of the band Bathory, were also influential in the development of Death Metal. Bathory's early albums, which featured themes of horror and darkness, were an inspiration for many Death Metal bands that followed. Technological advancements also played a role in the development of Death Metal. The rise of digital recording technology in the 1980s and 1990s made it easier for bands to produce and distribute their music independently, without relying on the support of major record labels. This allowed Death Metal bands to maintain more creative control over their music and to cultivate a devoted fanbase without having to compromise their artistic vision.