My Top Ten Death Metal Albums for the Beginning Death Metal Fan
The Following ten albums in my opinion are some of the best death metal albums. Death metal got big in the 90’s and these particular albums I feel set the tone for newer death metal bands to go by. Roadrunner Records and producer Scott Burns were one of the first to sign death metal bands and put death metal on the map. The biggest scene emerged out of Florida with bands like Deicide and Obituary, but then bands from all over like New York’s Suffocation came along and put their mark on things. soon more labels came about and the rise of Death metal got bigger.
- Individual Thought Patterns ( Death ) Death were formerly known as Mantas and their front man Chuck Schuldiner is considered the father of Death Metal. This album is their fifth and is more progressive, but contains some great musicians. This album features Andy Larocque (guitarist from King Diamond), Steve Digiorgio (Testament, Sadus, Vintersorg) , and the awesome drumming of Gene Hoglan (Dethklok, Dark Angel, Testament, Strapping Young Lad) Stand out song: The Philosopher was featured on Headbangers Ball. Being a death metal fan and not owning a DEATH album is like being a police officer without a gun and badge. DEATH is a mandatory band for any death metal fan! Sadly on December 13th 2001 Chuck passed away from Cancer. The last cds featureing his work were Death’s “The Sound of Perserverance” and his other project Control Denied and the cd “The Fragile Art of Existence”
- Tomb of the Mutilated and The Bleeding ( Cannibal Corpse ) Cannibal Corpse arose out of Buffalo, New York and their album covers and gory artwork got them a lot of attention. Their album “Tomb of the Mutilated” got them attention for their song “Hammer Smashed Face” which was featured in the hit movie Ace Ventura Pet Detective featuring comedian Jim Carrey. People seemed to fall in love with singer Chris Barnes vocal style and their next effort “The Bleeding” in my opinion is their best album with Barnes. Cannibal is still going strong today with their new vocalist George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher, but their first four albums are pretty much essential and bands today have them to thank and look up to. Those that might enjoy Barnes vocals as opposed to Corpsegrinder’s vocals should now listen to Barnes main band now called Six Feet Under or the album “Swarm” by the band Torture Killer. Those people that want to check out Corpsegrinder’s vocals with Cannibal Corpse, then I highly suggest the album “Vile” featuring him on vocals. Other albums with Corpsegrinder on vocals that I suggest are “Imperial Doom” and “Millenium” by the band Monstrosity, or the albums “Promises in Blood” and “the End of the Hour” by the band Paths of Possesssion. The members of the band have had stints in other bands that are totally worth checking out. I highly suggest looking into the bands: Malevolent Creation, Solstice, Hate Eternal, Hate Plow, Cynic and Blotted Science as well. Cannibal Corpse just released a great new album called ” A Skeletal Domain” in 2014.
- Covenant ( Morbid Angel )Morbid Angel got their start actually in my hometown of Charlotte, NC but got big upon their move to Florida. Their first two albums did really well but this album had songs featured on Headbangers Ball and the song “God of Emptiness” was featured on a Beavis and Butthead episode gaining them some exposure. This Morbid Angel release came out in 1993 and has Trey Azaghtoth on guitar, David Vincent on bass and vocals, and Pete Sandoval on drums, This particular album represented Morbid Angel’s first foray into mainstream metal by them signing a contract with Giant records. Morbid Angel’s Covenant was the best selling death metal as of 2003, with 150,000 sales in the U.S. alone. Morbid Angel’s albums have a pattern where each album begins with the next letter of the alphabet. Their latest album Illud Divinum Insanus came out in 2011 and was the talk of much criticism due to the band changing their style and incorporate techno’ industrial like elements to their music. This album saw the return of David Vincent on vocals. Singer Steve Tucker did three albums with Morbid Angel: Formulas Fatal to the Flesh (1998), Gateways to Annihilation (2000), and Heretic (2003). Suggested other bands that have featured members of Morbid Angel are: Ripping Corpse, Hate Eternal, the Genitorturers, Terrorizer, Ceremony, Internecine, Nocturnus, Alas, Warfather, Myrkskog, Zyklon. Morbid Angel’s current lineup has David Vincent on bass and vocals, Tim Yeung on drums, and Trey Azagthoth and Destructhor on guitars.
- Cause of Death ( Obituary ) Obituary began their career under the name Executioner but changed it to Obituary. Obituary just have a trademark sound that has stuck with them their whole career. Once one gets familar with singer Jon Tardy’s voice, and the trademark Obituary sound then I honestly beleive that someone can throw in an album by the band that hasn’t been heard yet and that that person will instantly know that it is Obituary that he or she is listening to. James Murphy is the Lead Guitarist on this album and provides great riffs. He did great work on Death’s “Spiritual Healing” cd as well and has been featured on albums by the bands Cancer andTestament. He formed a band called Disincarnate that did one album entitled “Dreams of the Carrion Kind”which is well worth checking out. Obituary cover the song “Circle of the Tyrants” by Celtic Frost on this album. Standout tracks include: Body Bag, Infected, Find the Arise, and Chopped in Half. The two brothers Jon Tardy and Donald Tardy later formed a side project called Tardy Brothers and put out a cd called “Bloodlines.” Guitarist Trevor Peres did a project called Catastrophic that put out a few cds. Obituary are still going strong and have a new album called “Inked In Blood” out soon in 2014.
- Pierced From Within ( Suffocation ) Suffocation are from Centereach, Long Island, New York. Their album “Effigy of the Forgotten” was a blueprint for the death metal genre when it debuted in 1991. However, I personally love the album “Pierced From Within” from 1995. The current lineup of Suffocation is Frank Mullen on vocals, guitarists Terrance Hobbs and Guy Marchais, bassist Dan Boyer, and drummer Kevin Talley. Suffocation have endured quite a few lineup changes over the years, but continue to strive. Recommended other bands that feature past and present members of Suffocation: Criminal Element, Daath, Misery Index, Dying Fetus, Hate Eternal, Deeds of Flesh, and Decrepit Birth
- Dawn Of Possession ( Immolation ) Immolation are from Yonkers, New York and formed in 1986 under the name Rigor Mortis. The band changed their name to Immolation in April of 1988. The band signed a record deal with Roadrunner Records and released their debut album “Dawn of Possession” on July 19th, 1991. This is their only release under Roadrunner Records. The band would then go on to release albums on Metal Blade Records, Listenable Records, and Nuclear Blast Records. An EP called “Providence” was released as a free download in 2011 via Scion A/V. The band had copies of it on a small tour they did and it is kind of hard to come by. Luckily I saw this tour and own a signed copy. The band consists of singer/bassist Ross Dolan, guitarists Rob Vigna and Bill Taylor, and drummer Steve Shalaty. Other bands to look into are Incantation and Goreaphobia and of course Rigor Mortis.
- Deicide ( Deicide ) Deicide – Definition: The Killing of a God. If this offends you then you need to look elsewhere. This album is vicious from start to finish. Deicide began their career under the name Amon. Lead singer/bassist Glen Benton has an inverted cross burned into his forehead. Deicide’s discography has album covers that depict God being shunned in some way, and practically all songs on every album are about Satan or about mocking God or Jesus Christ. Other members on this particular album are The Hoffman brothers Eric and Brian on guitar and Steve Asheim on drums. Honestly can’t pick a bad song on this cd. Stand out songs: Dead By Dawn, Lunatic of God’s Creation, Sacrificial Suicide, and Deicide. The Hoffman brothers took the original name Amon and formed their own band under that name. Deicide has suffered some lineup changes and a lot of controversy, but still continue to go strong today. Those that listen to this album and like it should hunt down the album by Deicide entitled Amon:Feeding The Beast. This album has the exact same tracks that are on Deicide’s self titled album, but are demo versions of the songs and sound even more badass. Jack Owen of Cannibal Corpse is now in the band as well as Kevin Quirion formerly of the band Council of the Fallen and now also in the band Order of Ennead. Drummer Steve Asheim is in Order of Ennead as well.
- Heartwork ( Carcass ) Carcass are from Liverpool, England. The band was formed in 1985 by guitarist/vocalist Bill Steer and drummer Ken Owen under the name Disattack, but eventually changed their name to Carcass in 1987. Carcass are regarded as pioneers of the Grindcore genre, but many feel they are also responsible for pioneering melodic death metal as well with their 1993 album “Heartwork” Carcass are known for their gruesome album covers that usually contain surgical related themes and body parts etc. This is evident on practically all their releases, but especially on the albums “Reek of Putrefaction (1988) and “Symphonies of Sickness” (1989). Carcass recruited Jeff Walker on bass and Michael Amott on 2nd guitar to round out the band. Carcass released “Heartwork” in 1993. Stand out songs to me on this album include No Love Lost, Buried Dreams, And of course the title track heartwork. Carcass sadly disbanded in 1996 due to record label bullshit and their drummer Ken Owen developing cerebral hemmorrhage. It wasnt until 2006 that the band reunited and replaced Owens on drums with Daniel Erlandsson. Carcass got Michael Amott as well and the band then played some fests and fans demanded a new album. The band again went through some trouble but finally recruited Ben Ash on 2nd guitar from the bands Pig Iron, Desolation, and Liquefied Skeleton and Daniel Wilding on drums from the band Trigger the Bloodshed.” In September of 2013, fans got their wish and a new Carcas album entitled “Surgical Steel” was released to good reviews.
- Warmaster ( Bolt Thrower )Bolt Thrower are from Coventry, England, United Kingdom and formed in September of 1986. The band was formed by bassist Gavin Ward and guitarist Barry Thomson. Bolt Thrower’s lyrics,songs, and album covers deal with the concept of war and its consequences. After putting out a LP on Vinyl Solution entitled “In Battle There Is No Law” the band were not satisfied with that and got picked up by the label Earache Records. Earache Records had signed many other death metal bands at the time including Carcass and Napalm Death. Bolt Thrower became one of the more successful bands on Earache Records. The band are currently on Metal Blade Records but have released albums through Combat and Relativity Records. The band today consists of Karl Willets on vocals, Barry Thomson and Gavin Ward on guitars, Jo Bench on bass, and Martin Kearns on drums. Some past members that had stints in the band include Martin van Drunen and Dave Ingram. Check out the bands Pestilence or Asphyx to hear van Drunen and the band Benediction to hear Dave Ingram.
- Beneath The Remains ( Sepultura )Sepultura are from Brazil and really but Brazil on the map with this cd. Today there are many great bands from this area. Some favorite bands of mine from Brazil that I suggest people check out are: Krisiun, Nephasth, Ophiolatry, Mental Horror, Horned God, and Abhorrence. This particular cd features the classic lineup of the two Cavalera brothers (Max and Igor) as well as guitarist Andreas Kisser and bassist Paulo Jr. Sadly Max left Sepultura around 1997 or close to it and formed the band Soulfly. Max also did the project Nailbomb and is currently a member of a new band called Killer be Killed. Max reconnected with his brother Igor after a bunch of bullshit and a long 10 years of not speaking to one another. The two Brothers formed the band Cavalera Conspiracy. Sepultura continues today with the same name but with Derrick Green on vocals instead of Max, and Eloy Casagrande on drums. Many feel that after Sepultura’s newest members joined the band that they just aren’t the same anymore, but that is of course a matter of opinion. Guitarist Andreas Kisser and bassist Paulo Jr. remain in Sepultura. The last Sepultura album to feature the classic lineup mentioned above is “Roots”
