Death
Death By Metal

Chuck Schuldiner. A man who, for better or worse, wrote the history of the most violent genre of the 20th century: Death Metal.

When he growled furiously and mercilessly at the whole world, Schuldiner was the core and point of reference for a newborn scene eager to expand. Those who perfectly remember albums like "Scream Bloody Gore" or "Leprosy" know exactly what I am rambling about.

A visceral and bloodthirsty sound, composed solely to awaken the beastly instincts hidden beneath the human layer of us calm and shapeless little beings.

At the time, I admit, I was just a child. I certainly couldn't appreciate these two masterpieces. So I thank those who introduced and let me listen to them!

Without those early releases branded by Death, as you all probably know even better than I do, extreme metal would have halted at Venom.

Then the remarkable shift with "Spiritual Healing" and the achievement of stylistic perfection with the unforgettable "Human"! From that moment on, Death (which featured only the singer and guitarist as a stable member) moved towards increasingly crystalline productions and a sound that continuing to define as "death metal" would be reductive.

Prog elements, jazz-fusion, and various virtuosos, even if rarely boring or redundant, were the basic ingredients of chapters like "Symbolic," "Individual Thought Patterns," and the last, as well as highly acclaimed, "The Sound Of Perseverance."

Having always favored the nastier and more immediate metal (the kind tainted with punk), you can well understand my personal preference for the first part of the American formation's discography.

Metal for zombies and for "evil dead," or metal related to themes such as leprosy and euthanasia.

To the aficionados of the "early era" Death, I recommend listening to this first demo of theirs. The real moniker would be Mantas (although it would change to Death two years later), but here we are in the presence of two historical members: the already mentioned Schuldiner and the hefty Rick Rozz. On drums, Kam Lee, who would later permanently leave our heroes to join Massacre.

The tape recording is ridiculous and is the result of sessions carried out in someone's basement. Nonetheless, you can feel the Floridians' rage! Five tracks that will leave you stunned and speechless.

"Legion Of Doom," "Evil Dead" (a song that, revised and corrected, will also appear on the debut), "Beyond The Unholy Grave," "Power Of Darkness" and "Dead By Metal". Barrages of primitive metal, thrash-oriented and damn inspired by the violence of human beasts like Slayer, the already mentioned Venom, Motorhead, and Discharge. Inside here, I am convinced, are the very first germs that will give life to this sinister trend. Along with the debut of Possessed, released two years later, this demo represents the "start" for everything that, shortly thereafter, would be known as Death Metal.

Listening to the five tracks, I'm sure, you'll struggle to believe that the singer in question is the one who, towards the late '90s, will perform a clear Judas Priest cover and who will perfect his guitar technique to an incredible degree! In short: one grows, matures, and evolves! For the "unevolved," like me and others, there is always the old and grim material!

Thanks for everything, Chuck! Even for demos like these!