Death

Hesher · 06-16-2009, 03:55 PM

It's about time somebody came in to this hellhole and posted about some real metal; the kind of stuff that inspires you, challenges you, and makes you think while punching you in the face with a fistful of chains. I've been burning stupid bands in here off and on and I figure it's time to lay down some positive material before the populace gets uppity.

Death was an American death metal band formed in 1983 in Orlando, Florida (where most good metal comes from). At the time, Florida was a hotspot for death metal in the United States and produced a number of amazing bands including Obituary, Morbid Angel, and Deicide (none of which I expect anybody in this forum to know about). While all these bands are utterly badass in their own ways, Death were in some estimation the primogenitors of the majority of death metal heard today in the United States. The lead guitarist and vocalist, Chuck Schuldiner, was the only constant member and was the primary creative force in the band. He recruited friends and members of other bands to write albums, record, and tour, and this roster included people like Paul Masvidal (Cynic, Aeon Spoke), James Murphy (Obituary, Testament), Andy LaRoque (King Diamond), Ralph Santolla (Iced Earth, Deicide), fretless metal bassist Steve DiGiorgio, drummer Richard Christy (Howard Stern Show) and drummer Gene Hoglan (Dark Angel, Opeth, Unearth, Dethklok, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.). Death released seven studio albums between '83 and '01 until Schuldiner was diagnosed with a malignant cancerous brain tumour. The metal community came out in numbers to raise money to pay for his cancer treatments (the dude was not anywhere near Gene Simmons rich) but they left his immune system weak and on December 13th, 2001 he died of complications of pneumonia, leaving behind a legacy arguably as big or larger than Pantera's Dimebag Darrell (yeah yeah bite me).

ITH I'll be reviewing and commenting on Death's seven albums in chronological order.

Scream Bloody Gore was the first full-length studio album released by Death after the release of several demo tapes and EPs. All the instruments on the album apart from drums (which Schuldiner apparently had a hand in arranging) are played by Chuck, including both lead and rhythm guitar and bass. SBG is widely believed to be one of the first real "death metal" albums, and lyrically it included themes relating to zombies, the movie Evil Dead, general gore, and demonic possession. While the production is nowhere near the sonic quality of modern metal albums, the songs are undeniably brutal and continue to kick the ass of most two-bit "musicians" these days. If you are familiar with other death metal bands then SBG will likely seem the most "normal" to you, as it was the precursor to Death's exploration of other musical and lyrical themes and levels of complexity. This album was recorded in regular ol' E tuning (because dropped doesn't necessarily mean good) and contains some decent guitar solos but mostly just a collection of sick riffs and terrifying vocals. For fans of Slayer, SBG can be said to be Death's Show No Mercy; it essentially demonstrated the talents of the members at the time and is obviously the bands' first release. In this case however, SBG is more complicated and technically more advanced but written entirely by only one member.

Next album later today, although Leprosy is my least favourite.

Antonio · 06-16-2009, 04:11 PM

not bad, not bad. looking forward to this thread

Meph1986 · 06-16-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antonio

not bad, not bad. looking forward to this thread

So will I.......

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hesher

Death was an American death metal band formed in 1983 in Orlando, Florida (where most good metal comes from). At the time, Florida was a hotspot for death metal in the United States and produced a number of amazing bands including Obituary, Morbid Angel, and Deicide (none of which I expect anybody in this forum to know about).

What makes you say that?

jackhammer · 06-16-2009, 06:28 PM

I hope this lives up to my expectations as I quite like Death. Although my fave albums don't tally with the majority at all but then I remember the debut falling onto my record deck in 1987 and being blown away by it. ROFL at not knowing about certain bands. I think you may be in for a shock noob.

Hesher · 06-16-2009, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meph1986

So will I.......

What makes you say that?

Well blow me down, I didn't expect all the tr00 kvlt people to come out of the woodwork. It seemed like all the threads on here since I came in were about A7X and the new Devil Wears Prada album

Hope I can live up to your expectations.

The Abominable Homan · 06-16-2009, 06:55 PM

Quote:

At the time, Florida was a hotspot for death metal in the United States and produced a number of amazing bands including Obituary, Morbid Angel, and Deicide (none of which I expect anybody in this forum to know about).

I've listened to 2 of those 3 and I really like Death as well.

Symbolic is wonderful.

gunnels · 06-16-2009, 07:16 PM

I DL'd 'The Sound of Perseverance' the other day.
Totally blown away.

Comus · 06-16-2009, 07:32 PM

Death has always bored me, everything just seems off, especially in comparison to european metla bands.

~~Flower Child~~ · 06-16-2009, 07:45 PM

I rather like the name of the band.
Person 1: Who are you listening to?
Person 2: Just some good ol... DEATH!!!!!!!

Gets straight to the point, haha. But seriously, Hersher you got me interested. I'll give her a whirl.

jackhammer · 06-16-2009, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comus

Death has always bored me, everything just seems off, especially in comparison to european metla bands.

Facepalm has never been more appropriate.

06-16-2009, 03:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Hesher Palm Muted Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 168	Death It's about time somebody came in to this hellhole and posted about some real metal; the kind of stuff that inspires you, challenges you, and makes you think while punching you in the face with a fistful of chains. I've been burning stupid bands in here off and on and I figure it's time to lay down some positive material before the populace gets uppity. Death was an American death metal band formed in 1983 in Orlando, Florida (where most good metal comes from). At the time, Florida was a hotspot for death metal in the United States and produced a number of amazing bands including Obituary, Morbid Angel, and Deicide (none of which I expect anybody in this forum to know about). While all these bands are utterly badass in their own ways, Death were in some estimation the primogenitors of the majority of death metal heard today in the United States. The lead guitarist and vocalist, Chuck Schuldiner, was the only constant member and was the primary creative force in the band. He recruited friends and members of other bands to write albums, record, and tour, and this roster included people like Paul Masvidal (Cynic, Aeon Spoke), James Murphy (Obituary, Testament), Andy LaRoque (King Diamond), Ralph Santolla (Iced Earth, Deicide), fretless metal bassist Steve DiGiorgio, drummer Richard Christy (Howard Stern Show) and drummer Gene Hoglan (Dark Angel, Opeth, Unearth, Dethklok, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.). Death released seven studio albums between '83 and '01 until Schuldiner was diagnosed with a malignant cancerous brain tumour. The metal community came out in numbers to raise money to pay for his cancer treatments (the dude was not anywhere near Gene Simmons rich) but they left his immune system weak and on December 13th, 2001 he died of complications of pneumonia, leaving behind a legacy arguably as big or larger than Pantera's Dimebag Darrell (yeah yeah bite me). ITH I'll be reviewing and commenting on Death's seven albums in chronological order. Scream Bloody Gore was the first full-length studio album released by Death after the release of several demo tapes and EPs. All the instruments on the album apart from drums (which Schuldiner apparently had a hand in arranging) are played by Chuck, including both lead and rhythm guitar and bass. SBG is widely believed to be one of the first real "death metal" albums, and lyrically it included themes relating to zombies, the movie Evil Dead, general gore, and demonic possession. While the production is nowhere near the sonic quality of modern metal albums, the songs are undeniably brutal and continue to kick the ass of most two-bit "musicians" these days. If you are familiar with other death metal bands then SBG will likely seem the most "normal" to you, as it was the precursor to Death's exploration of other musical and lyrical themes and levels of complexity. This album was recorded in regular ol' E tuning (because dropped doesn't necessarily mean good) and contains some decent guitar solos but mostly just a collection of sick riffs and terrifying vocals. For fans of Slayer, SBG can be said to be Death's Show No Mercy; it essentially demonstrated the talents of the members at the time and is obviously the bands' first release. In this case however, SBG is more complicated and technically more advanced but written entirely by only one member. Next album later today, although Leprosy is my least favourite.

06-16-2009, 06:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	I hope this lives up to my expectations as I quite like Death. Although my fave albums don't tally with the majority at all but then I remember the debut falling onto my record deck in 1987 and being blown away by it. ROFL at not knowing about certain bands. I think you may be in for a shock noob. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

06-16-2009, 07:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
~~Flower Child~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: classified Posts: 639	I rather like the name of the band. Person 1: Who are you listening to? Person 2: Just some good ol... DEATH!!!!!!! Gets straight to the point, haha. But seriously, Hersher you got me interested. I'll give her a whirl.