Death is the brainchild of death metal founder (though some argue Possessed had equal contributions) Chuck Shuldiner. Death were origanally formed under the name of Mantas with Chuck and a few of his high school friends in 1982. Later on, Chuck found out the name Mantas was already copywritten, so he changed the name to Death in 1984. A few bootlegs and demos were recorded before Death's first studio album, Scream Bloody Gore, was released in 1987, with Chuck on lead guitar and vocals with the bass synthesised, John Hand on rhythm guitars and Jeff Reifert on drums. Jeff would later go on to form his own band (Autopsy) after the release of Scream Bloody Gore. Scream Bloody Gore was arguably one of the first death metal albums released. I'd have to agree. It's the first album with the trademark gore ridden lyrics, fast riffs, and eerie drumming. Death's second platter would come a year later with the classic death metal album Leprosy. After sacking the original lineup, most people would figure that the sound would change. Amazingly, much of the sound stays the same in Leprosy. The corpulent yet amazing guitarist Rick Rozz is recruited, along with Bill Andrews on drums and Terry Butler on bass for one of Death's best releases. The next studio album would not come until 1990 with James Murphy (of Testament and Obituary fame) is recruited on the guitar. Death make a huge leap in the world of metal on this release. The songs aren't about death and gore ridden things, but about Chuck and Co.'s personal opinions on issues. Many thought that this would be Death's final album because Chuck again trashed the band members because he wanted to go for more of a "traditional" metal sound. In 1991, Death release a masterpiece in the name of Human. Human features bass guru Steve DiGiorgio (of Sadus and Control Denied fame). While Death's previous albums were fast tempoed, Human puts speed metal bands to shame with songs like Together As One and Suicide Machine. Two years later in 1993, Death would release yet another testament in the world of metal. Keeping Steve DiGiorgio on bass, Chuck recruits King Diamond guitarist Andy LaRocque and Dark Angel drummer Gene Hoglan for the release of Individual Thought Patterns. ITP set another standard in the world of technical/speed metal with technical songs such as Overactive Imagination, Individual Thought Patterns, and In Human Form. Two years later, after almost disbanding Death yet again because of his own frustrations vocally, Chuck and Gene recruit Kelly Conlon on bass (Steve would have helped out for this release, but he had obligations to Sadus to fulfill) and Bobby Koelble on guitars for the release of Symbolic. Symbolic was symbolic in many ways. At this point, Death were no longer just plain death metal pioneers, Death were pioneers in the world of metal period. Symbolic features Chuck's love for progressive metal and heavy metal. Symbolic was almost the last Death album released, as Chuck shelved the band for his side project, Control Denied, where he took on the role of lead guitars. After bringing back many musical influences and the entire band of Control Denied minus Tim Aymar (which consisted of Shannon Hamm on guitars, Richard Christy on drums, and Scott Clendenin on bass [Steve again had obligations to Sadus]), Death would realease their final studio album, The Sound of Perseverance. I must say, what a better way to end an era with a fine metal platter? TSoP would turn out to be Death's most complicated, longest, and technical album to be released. After TSoP's release, Chuck would tour with Death and would again leave Death for Control Denied. Shortly after the release of The Fragile Art of Existance under Control Denied, Chuck was diagnosed with a brainstem tumor in 1999. Many bands put on shows and gigs to help raise money for the cancer treatment and two Death DVDs, Live in L.A. and Live in Eindhoven were also released to help raise funding. Sadly, however, on December 13, 2001, Chuck lost his battle with cancer and began his perennial quest into eternity. To acknowledge his place in the world of metal fame, as he was probably the most underrated artist in the world of metal, I have written this biography for isound.com. This biography is original and has been pieced together as one from my website and reviews of Death's albums.
Bio written by: bunkum |
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