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Who Invented Death Metal? Tracing the Origins of a Brutal Genre
Death metal is one of the most extreme and intense subgenres of heavy metal, characterized by its aggressive sound, growling vocals, and dark lyrical themes. “Who Invented Death Metal?” In this article, we’ll explore the origins of death metal, uncovering the pioneers and key influences that shaped the genre into what it is today.
Who Invented Death Metal?
Before we can pinpoint the invention of death metal, it’s important to understand the musical landscape that led to its creation. The roots of death metal can be traced back to the early 1980s, with several genres influencing its development:
- Thrash Metal: Bands like Slayer, Metallica, and Exodus were at the forefront of thrash metal, a genre characterized by its fast tempos and aggressive riffs. Thrash metal’s raw energy and intensity laid the groundwork for death metal.
- Black Metal: Early black metal bands like Venom and Celtic Frost contributed to the darker, more sinister elements of death metal, particularly in terms of lyrical themes and atmosphere.
- Hardcore Punk: The hardcore punk scene, with its abrasive sound and rebellious attitude, also played a role in shaping the aggression and speed of death metal.
The Birth of Death Metal: Possessed and Death
Two bands are often credited with laying the foundation for death metal: Possessed and Death.
Possessed
- Album: Seven Churches (1985): Possessed’s debut album, “Seven Churches,” is frequently cited as one of the first death metal records. The album combined the speed and aggression of thrash metal with guttural vocals and darker, more ominous themes. The track “Death Metal” from this album is where the genre gets its name, and it’s often considered a defining moment in the birth of death metal.
Death
- Album: Scream Bloody Gore (1987): While Possessed laid the groundwork, it was Death, led by the legendary Chuck Schuldiner, that solidified death metal as a distinct genre. Their debut album, “Scream Bloody Gore,” is widely regarded as the first true death metal album, featuring brutal riffs, growling vocals, and macabre lyrics that would become hallmarks of the genre. Chuck Schuldiner is often referred to as the “father of death metal” for his pioneering role in the genre’s development.
The Pioneers of Death Metal
While Possessed and Death were undoubtedly instrumental in the birth of death metal, they were far from the only bands contributing to the development and solidification of the genre. Several other key acts played crucial roles in shaping the sound, themes, and direction of death metal as it emerged in the late 1980s. One of the earliest bands to contribute to the genre’s formation was Necrophagia. Their 1987 album “Season of the Dead” is often recognized as an important early example of death metal, helping to establish its dark, horror-themed aesthetics. The eerie, grotesque atmosphere of the album and its unrelenting brutality set a precedent for the lyrical and visual themes that would become a staple in the genre. Another band that made a significant impact is Obituary, whose 1989 debut album “Slowly We Rot” is a cornerstone of death metal history. Obituary’s sound, characterized by its heavy, sludgy riffs and slow, crushing rhythms, gave the genre a more visceral, atmospheric edge. Their music helped define death metal’s menacing and oppressive tone, creating a blueprint for many future bands. In addition, Autopsy, with their 1989 debut album “Severed Survival”, pushed the boundaries of death metal by blending it with doom metal elements, resulting in a grotesque and gloomy sound that stood out within the scene. Autopsy’s focus on slower tempos, morbid themes, and a raw, unpolished sound brought a new dimension to death metal, making their music an essential part of the genre’s evolution. Lastly, Morbid Angel delivered a monumental contribution to death metal with their 1989 album “Altars of Madness”. This release introduced a more technical and sophisticated approach to death metal, with intricate guitar work, complex song structures, and a faster, more aggressive style. Morbid Angel’s influence can be felt across countless bands that followed, as they pushed the genre toward greater technicality and musical experimentation. Collectively, these bands, alongside Possessed and Death, helped to define and expand death metal, each bringing their own unique sound and vision to the genre and solidifying its place in the metal world.
The Evolution and Spread of Death Metal
After the release of these pioneering albums, death metal began to gain momentum, particularly in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This period saw death metal gaining more media attention and becoming recognized as a popular genre within the metal community. Bands like Morbid Angel, Obituary, Cannibal Corpse, and Deicide further pushed the boundaries of the genre, each adding their unique elements to the death metal sound.
- Florida Scene: The state of Florida, particularly the Tampa Bay area, became a hotbed for death metal in the late 1980s, with many influential bands emerging from the region. The Morrisound Recording studio in Tampa played a crucial role in shaping the sound of early death metal records.
- Global Spread: Death metal quickly spread beyond the United States, with influential scenes developing in Sweden (notably with bands like Entombed and Dismember), the UK, and other parts of Europe.
The Legacy of Death Metal
Today, death metal remains a vibrant and influential genre within the heavy metal community. It has spawned numerous subgenres, including technical death metal, melodic death metal, and brutal death metal, each with its own distinct sound and fanbase.
The influence of early pioneers like Possessed, Death, Necrophagia, Obituary, Autopsy, and Morbid Angel can still be heard in modern death metal, and their contributions to the genre have cemented their place in heavy metal history.
While the invention of death metal cannot be credited to a single individual, the combined efforts of bands like Possessed, Death, Necrophagia, Obituary, Autopsy, and Morbid Angel played a pivotal role in the genre’s creation. Chuck Schuldiner, often hailed as the “father of death metal,” remains a central figure in shaping the genre’s legacy. Today, the influence of these early pioneers continues to resonate within the global death metal community.
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