Thirteen years ago this day we lost one of the most influential, talented and truly phenomenal people in the metal world. The father of Death metal itself carving the blood soaked niche beginning with the now classic thrashing of Scream Bloody Gore until the finality of the progressive metal masterpiece The Sound of Perseverance. As this is the thirteenth year after his death we will honour the great man behind some of the best music in extreme metal there has ever been, going chronologically throughout Death‘s discography, to kick things off let’s get our teeth into Scream Blood Gore!
Baptized In Blood – Scream Bloody Gore
The first choice in our Death list is “Baptized In Blood“, echoing much of the thrashy beginnings of Death the song is the epitome of what their initial sound was. Before the rotating line ups the band was composed off simply Schuldiner himself composing all music, playing both parts of guitar and bass guitar and Chris Reifert now of Autopsy fame behind the drum kit. Although this is very primitive compared the progressive masterpieces the band would achieve it gives us a fantastic idea of what exactly is to come and just how much potential there really was within the Death camp. Released in 1987 Scream Bloody Gore is arguably the first ever true death metal album, despite Possessed fans raising their fists some argue that Seven Churches was the original first ever death metal release. Whatever you believe whether it was the second or first its undeniable that this album is archetypal to death metal’s creation.
Left To Die – Leprosy
Merely a year after the tape trading world almost exploded with the arrival of Scream Bloody Gore Schuldiner was back at it. With Schuldiner remaining principle king pin behind the music although not sole in charge of instrumental duties, incorporating Rick Rozz on guitar and Bill Andrews on drums Leprosy was the next stage in Death’s evolution. Incorporating more groove behind the already thrashy material the album showcased longer more drawn out songs with almost all of them past the four minute mark. Stripping the album down to the eight song formula rather than the twelve song blueprint in their previous chapter. Leprosy is many a fan of Death‘s most cherished album. Although personally not my favourite its impact on the metal world will forever be felt. Evolving slowly from the thrash rumblings of the first record Leprosy begins to see slight changes in the Death ideal.
Within The Mind – Spiritual Healing
Album number three summoned a new line up change which was seeming to become routine now. Perhaps one of the reasons for each of Death’s releases to never quite be the same. This time around Schuldiner recruited the talented James Murphy and Terry Butler on guitar and bass guitar whilst sticking with previous drummer Bill Andrews on drums. Spiritual Healing saw the band focus more on melody, moving away from the more horror oriented lyrical content Schuldiner began to become more engaged with society. With tracks like “Living Monstrosity” detailing the effect of drug taking and title track “Spiritual Healing” showing how much of the spiritual healing was a sham. Another instant classic and an excellent string to Murphy’s ever growing bow. Melody was slowly creeping in more and more with the songs being slower and more thought out rather than the teenage angst sounding of the previous records. Arguably the beginning of the true evolution of Death.
Secret Face – Human
On album number four Schuldiner truly began to flex his philosophical muscles, deciding to include the now infamous Paul Masvidal and Sean Reinert of Cynic fame and the now pillar of death metal bass Steve Di Giorgio. This is regarded as one of the strongest incarnations of Death. With Human the band’s sound would not only change but change death metal itself forever. Showcasing more of a progressive style of song writing although the songs might be only four minutes in length the soundscapes that are achieved move through from the heaviest riffing to melodic minor style solo’s, now synonymous with Schuldiner‘s legacy.
Mentally Blind – Individual Thought Patterns
After having wowed audiences the world over Schuldiner and co returned in 1993 just two years after creating the seminal Human. Kicking the technicality up a notch King Diamond guitarist Andy LaRocque was recruited for some fantastic guitar interplay. Drum power house and now metal royalty Gene Hoglan was in charge of drums duties and returning for a second time on fretless bass Steve DiGiorgio. Individual Thought Patterns was Death‘s segue into the more technical element that was exhibited much more towards the final end of the band’s career
Empty Words – Symbolic
The sixth and the beginning of the end of Death‘s lauded career Symbolic saw the line up of Gene Hoglan, now being his third album with Death making him almost the longest running member of Death, on guitar duties Bobby Koeble and of course Steve Di Giorgio on fretless bass. Symbolic was made up of nine songs all just as gargantuan as the last, with a focus of riffs and much of the structure of the songs leaning towards the progressive spectrum. Many of the songs on the sixth Albu Symbolic were longer and more well thought out destroying the oppostion with aplomb, however nothing was going to prepare anyone for the final piece of the Death puzzle.
Spirit Crusher – The Sound Of Perseverance
Until finally we reach the pinnacle of Death’s legacy. The fantastic The Sound Of Perseverance is a far cry bands initial sound. With drums flourish present throughout the album and some truly off kilter melodies, not to mention the almost schizophrenic time signatures. This album is the absolute blueprint for all the technical death metal albums we now know.
The biggest progression however was the significant change in the writing style of the album. Throughout Death‘s career Schuldiner had conceived a very distinctive style of playing both in rhythm and lead. Combining the melancholic weeping melody of the monumental Symbolic and the technicality first exhibited on Individual Thought Patterns, The Sound Of Perseverance truly is a fitting effigy to Death‘s legacy.
As tragic as it may be with the passing of Schuldiner, Death‘s history will forever be carved into metal’s history. No matter how long the man’s life was tragically cut short the inaugural legacy of Death inspiring and teaching to come, that life may be good but Death is better!
