In the early 1980s, a change in American youth was underway. The sound of the rebellious 70s Punk genre had begun to shift. The Hard Rock genre had become larger, and with that rise, came the jolting energy and blistering anger of youth. Gripping a divided society after Vietnam, young Americans would cling to the anger and performance of the “New Wave of British Heavy Metal” bands like Black Sabbath, Motörhead, and Judas Priest. When these bands began to climb the charts of the time, teens and young adults across the country would come together to create new sounds and innovations.
With a massive mixing pot of new ideas came brand new subcultures, as soon as Heavy Metal would hit the mainstream, smaller bands would soon come together in groups to declare that they could provide something that other metal bands could not. Soon enough Heavy Metal had completely transformed into a complex sea of subgenres. The birth of Metal Subgenres in the 80s introduced classic genres like Glam, Thrash, and Death Metal. America’s angriest youth would generally gravitate towards the latter.
Death Metal has had a relatively controversial reputation since its conception. Beginning at the peak of the 80s’ “Satanic Panic”, Bands like Slayer, Venom, and Possessed were repudiated for their lyrical and musical ties to the occult. Yet this was just the start for the genre, and this skeptical period in music history would become just a bump in the road for Death Metal. However, the Death Metal scene would not truly gain traction until the late 80s, and many would consider this foundation as a prime feat of the Floridian Death Metal band, Death.
Death found its foundation in 1983, created by Chuck Schuldiner, Cam Lee, and Rick Rozz, Death would begin composing and recording in 1984, leading to the release of two demos titled, “Death by Metal”, and “Reign in Terror”. Notably, these demos delivered a new, electric, rage-fueled sound. A particularly profound asset in Death’s rise would be frontman, Chuck Schuldiner’s signature scream vocals that pierce through the track creating a truly remarkable listening experience, finding an outlet to channel one’s anger, and empowering the listener.
Death would go on to release their first album in 1987, titled “Scream Bloody Gore” to an extremely warm welcome among metal critics and fans alike. This album was truly one of the first of its kind, “Scream Bloody Gore” is in a constant state of rivalry with Possessed’s “Seven Churches” for the place of the first true Death Metal album, granting Death a pioneer title, and a key band in the creation and exploration of Death Metal, implementing roaring riffs that spit in the face of conventional rock. The Album’s seventh track “Baptized in Blood” features the lyrics, “Baptized in blood, destined to burn, dark is my soul, reborn they’ll learn”. The obscene and occult-like nature of these lyrics is wildly unique and nearly insane to release in the societal climate around music at the time. But Death had just gotten started.
The following year, Death would record their second album, “Leprosy” which would hit the shelves on November 16th, 1988, unknowingly cementing themselves as true icons in Metal history. This album follows a similar feel to “Scream Bloody Gore” but deviates from repetition by going beyond what was previously thought to be their limit. “Leprosy” is the first time listeners can hear the full power and sound of Death. Incorporating a dynamic “Progressive Metal” sound that would immerse the listener into the world that is created by “Leprosy”. What was missing in “Scream Bloody Gore” was found in “Leprosy” The album is a masterpiece of Death Metal, becoming a classic overnight.
“Leprosy’s” overall message is to represent those who have been undermined or stepped on by society. This theme is found all over the album, the lyrics to the fourth track, “Left to Die”, open with “Put your life into their hands, die for someone else, now you’re in the real world, where pain and death are felt.” Speaking directly into that message from the point of view of an existential wounded soldier, as he waits for death. The album takes pride in its existential message, highlighting the presence and importance of existentialism and the feeling of belonging. In this case, the purpose is to evoke a lack of belonging, giving many listeners a societal perspective, and for some, representation.
“Leprosy” is an incredibly atmospheric album, with cascading riffs and sounds that pull the listener down into the mind and thoughts of its creator. This atmosphere would not exist without Ed Repka’s masterpiece of an album cover. At first glance, “Leprosy” has a rather obscene cover, depicting what seems to be a small village of leppers surviving in a desolate landscape, presumably outcast by a world that would not lend a hand. Yet with thematic context, it makes perfect sense as to why one could see themselves as a lepper in society, avoided and ignored. “Leprosy” is a Death Metal treasure that seeks to lift those at the bottom and educate those above the bottom.
Upon its release, “Leprosy” was met with global adoration among fans and critics. The album was praised for its bold progressive influences and boundary-pushing lyrics that had fans screaming their lungs out across the planet. The album’s biggest hit, “Pull the Plug”, would become a Death Metal phenomenon, and would remain as one of the genre’s greatest successes. “Leprosy” Stands the test of time and continues time and time again to prove its necessity in the conversation of the overall best Metal releases of all time.
Death would continue to release incredible, masterpiece work, their third album, “Spiritual Healing” is often considered one of the heaviest and most brutal works of music in Metal history. Over time, Death proved themselves to be a stand-out band amongst an infinite expanse of metal bands, there is not one release that flopped, not one album worth skipping, and never a dull moment within all seven LP releases. Highlights of their peak masterwork would include, Steve DiGiorgio’s incredible Bass playing on 1993’s “Individual Thought Patterns”, which utilizes the Fretless Bass Guitar, creating a unique flow to their sound, this would become a signature aspect for the future of Death’s sound. In 1995, Death released what many would consider their Magnum Opus, “Symbolic”, an album that would shatter the minds of many, and blow almost all Death Metal albums of the time, out of the water. Death’s final album, “The Sound of Perseverance” is often considered one of the greatest Progressive Death Metal albums of all time. By 1998, Death’s technical skill and musical prowess had expanded well beyond the often musically simple genre of Death Metal. They had shifted to a much stronger Progressive Death Metal sound, which gave them the creativity to go far beyond anything the current Death Metal sphere was releasing.
Death put in the blood, sweat, and tears to prove themselves as one of– if not the greatest Death Metal band of all time. Chuck Schuldiner’s technical guitar composition is often compared head-to-head with such legends as Mozart and Beethoven. Not to mention the timing and coordination of the surrounding members of the band, each playing an extremely critical role in supporting the truly gorgeous house of cards that is Death’s sound. Death Metal is considered one of the largest and most successful subgenres of the larger Heavy Metal Genre, and Death is often considered one of the sole contributors to the creation of this subgenre. Time has proven that their music will continue to be celebrated and cherished as a monumental influence for generations to come.
