20 years ago, in 1985, Possessed released "Seven Churches". It's symbolic anniversary: two decades with Death Metal. We asked different musicians and other people involved in the underground what 10 albums or demos they think are the best ones in the history of Death Metal. We also asked them who were the best vocalist, the best guitarist, the best bass player and the best drummer of Death Metal scene in those two decades. Of course, we expected first of all subjective choices.

John GALLAGHER (DYING FETUS)

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History
1.DEATH- LEPROSY
2.OBITUARY- SLOWLY WE ROT
3.DEICIDE- DEICIDE
4.MORBID ANGEL- ALTERS OF MADNESS
5.CARCASS- SYMPHONIES OF SICKNESS
6.SUFFOCATION- EFFIGY OF THE FORGOTTEN
7.CANNIBAL CORPSE- BUTCHERED AT BIRTH
8.NAPALM DEATH- HARMONY CORRUPTION
9.BAPHOMET- THE DEAD SHALL INHERIT
10.TERRORIZER- WORLD DOWNFALL

The Best Vocalist- JOHN TARDY
The Best Guitarist- JAMES MURPHY
The Best Bass Player ALEX WEBSTER
The Best Drummer  DEREK RODDY

 

Aantar COATES (BLASTMASTERS)

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History
1.Diabolic "Subbterraneal Magnitude"
2.Sepultura "Schizoprenia"
3.Terrorizer "World Downfall"
4. Slayer "Reign in Blood
5.Possessed "Seven Churches"
6.Vader "Blood"
7.Kreator "Pleasure to Kill"
8.Bathory "The return"
9.Morbid Angel "Alters of Maddness"
10.Venom " Welcome to Hell"

The Best Vocalist - George Corpse Grinder
The Best Guitarist - Trey Azagthoth
The Best Bass Player - Alex Webster
The Best Drummer - Pete Sandoval

 

Mark DYSTRA (RESPONSE NEGATIVE)

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History

1. Cannibal Corpse The Bleeding  Vocally and musically superb

2. Possessed Seven Churches  That was pretty much the start of death metal.

3. Suffocation Pierced From Within   Brutal album

4. Death   Human

5. Deicide   Once Upon A Cross-  

6. Napalm Death Harmony Corruption   That album was a taste of straight up aggression

7. Morbid Angle blessed are the sick

8. Obituary Cause of death   Those guys showed the world that metal can  be slow and still heavy as balls.

9. Carcass Heart Work   A different sound for the world of death metal. Great album.

10. Kataklysm  Temple of knowledge “ Northern hyper blast at it’s finest”.

 

The Best Vocalist

Sylvain (Kataklysm) To this day I have never heard a vocalist like him. Sylvain would never stop. His vocals would start before songs and keep going even after the music has ended. There was never a limit for him. His highs and lows are close to unmatchable. Some of the craziest stuff I’ve ever heard!

 

The Best Guitarist

Chuck Schuldiner (DEATH) ”RIP” Chuck was without a doubt one of the most powerful innovators of death metal. The God father if you will. Nasty crunching riffs with mind blowing harmonies brought a style he could call his own. Chuck got even more intricate as his career went on. “How!” The guy was definitely one of the best.

 

The Best Bass Player

Alex Webster Cannibal Corpse. Come on, the guy plays with his fingers “HIS FINGERS!!!! at those speeds. How could he not be one of the best.

 

The Best Drummer

 Hell Hammer !!!!!!    That’s all I’m gonna say.

 

Scott DODGE - POVERTY

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History
1. Reign in Blood - Slayer
2. Wehrmacht - Biermacht
3. Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness
4. Sacrilege BC - Party with God
5. The Accused - More Fun than an Open Casket Funeral
6. Possessed - Seven Churches
7. Cannibal Corpse – Tomb of the Mutilated
8. Insanity - 85 demo
9. Vio-lence  86 demo

10. Death Angel - 85 demo

Death Angel (demo): This was recorded by Kirk Hammet. These guys were very explosive when they hit the scene. The drummer was 16 at the time. Classic 3 song demo that ripped.

www.deathangel.com

 

Vio-lence (demo): Obtained from band directly. Vocals took some getting used to but the music was shredding. I was always influenced my guitarists who shred. These guys did that. www.vio-lence.com

 

Insanity - (demo): Was noisy as hell but extremely unique and original at the time.

  

Cannibal Corpse (tomb of the mutilated): When I first heard this I assumed harmonized vocals. But discovered the vocals were genuine and the music was sick in a gory movie sort of way. A classic. www.cannibalcorpse.net

 

Possessed (seven churches): Never heard anything like that before. nuff said.

http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Alley/1409/possesed.htm

 

The Accused (more fun): Not considered a death metal band but very influential. Happy to learn certain members of cannibal corpse were huge fans of The Accused. The guitarist for this band (Tommy) was my main inspiration to shred. Fast picking, brutal attack. These guys were sick.

http://www.splatterrock.com/home.html

 

Sacrilege BC (party with god): Probably the best death metal band that no one knew about. Apparently there was another sacrilege from Europe, but the brutal one was from Berkeley California. This band use to open for Possessed, Death Angel, Vio-lence and even played a show with my former band Insanity. If you love the SF Bay Area thrash.death metal style, These guys are a definite gem.

 

Morbid Angel (altars of madness): Like the initial shock of possessed, this too knocked me to the floor. Never heard any clear brutality like that. Never heard that style of precision double bass that everyone seems to duplicate today.  www.morbidangel.com

 

Wehrmacht (biermacht): Another classic band that no one really knows about. Napalm Death covered one of theirs songs as well as an Insanity song from my former band, but that’s beside the point. These guys were from Portland, Oregon who were fast and drunk. Good stuff. Was impressive brutal drumming before the Morbid Angel days. http://www.mp3.com/albums/17321/summary.html

 

Slayer (reign in blood): Sorry to be so predictable on this one, but it is the unholy grail. As I remember correctly, when I saw the Reign in Blood tour in San Francisco the album was not even out yet or it just came out literally that week. I was fortunate to get an advanced copy from someone on high school. Unbelievable song writing. I credit a lot of the aggression on this album to their Jeff Hanneman’s punk influence. It does provide that secret destructive ingredient that pushes it over the top. Brutal attack from one song to the next. No bullshit. The show, the album, the year was all to surreal that changed numerous lives forever. www.slayer.net

 

This area of questioning is a bit difficult because I don’t really see any best artist or best musician. Everyone has their own style and really involves what type of mood your in and what you want to listen to at the time, but I’ll try regardless.

 

Best Vocalist: I would have to say Glen Benton. His voice is genuine. You know who it is when you hear it. Good range from high to low and enjoy the way he uses his syllables. Also his two tracks of high and low sound wicked. I don’t hear any fake bullshit, just brutal demonic vocals. www.deicide.com

 

Best Guitarist: Ouch, the hardest question on here. Impossible to pinpoint, but will name two. One from then & now. Then: Gary Holt (exodus) – Now: Dave Suzuki (Vital Remains) quite a drummer too. www.vitalremains.com

 

Best Bass Player: Murray Fitzpatrick (severed savior) www.severedsavior.com

 

Best Drummer: Derek Roddy (hate eternal) www.derekroddy.com

  

My Top Ten Listens Today:

1) Vital Remains - Dechristianize

2) Hate Eternal - King of all Kings

3) Hate Eternal - Conquering the throne

4) Malelvolent Creation - Envenomed

5) Dying Fetus - Destroy the Opposition

6) Origin - Informis Infinitas Inhumanitas

7) Morbid Angel - Formulas Fatal to the Flesh

8) Deicide - Once Upon the Cross

9) Decrepit Birth - ...And Time Begins
10) Krisiun - Works of Carnage

 

bloodychunks@lycos.com
www.angelfire.com/darkside/poverty

 

Lance OZANIX (SKITZO)

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History
1.Kreator pleasure to kill
2.Possessed 7 chruches
3.NME nuclear missle experiment
4.Meat shits demos
5.Hellhammer RAIDS ep.
6.Dark Angel darkness decends
7.Sacrifice CANADA demo
8.Venom - any & all
9.Slayer 81-90 records.
10.The Accussed martha splatter head.

The Best Vocalist
   King Diamond

The Best Guitarist
- Steve Smyth - Testament/Dragonlord/Nevermore

The Best Bass Player
- Cirith Ungol bassist

The Best Drummer
- Dave Lombardo

 

Jaime PEREZ (SEVERANCE)

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal
1. Confessor-Condemned
2. Atomica-Debut
3. Possessed-Seven Churches
4. Suffocation-Effigy of the Forgotten
5. Napalm Death-Harmony Corruption
6. Malevolent Creation-Ten Commandments
7. Pestilence-Consuming Impulse
8. Obituary-Cause of Death
9. Atheist-Piece of Time
10. Dark Angel-Darkness Descends

The Best Vocalist
Frank Mullen (Suffocation)

The Best Guitarist
Andy La Roque (King Diamond/Death)

The Best Bass Player
Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse)

The Best Drummer
Reno (Panzerchrist)


www.severancemetal.com

 

Billy NOCERA (RAZORBACK RECORDS)

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History
1. DEATH "Scream Bloody Gore"
2. AUTOPSY "Severed Survival"
3. GRAVE "Into The Grave"
4. MASSACRE "From Beyond"
5. IMPETIGO "Horror of the Zombies"
6. REPULSION "Horrified"
7. CARCASS "Symphonies of Sickness"
8. OBITUARY "Slowly We Rot"
9. DEATH "Leprosy"
10. ASPHYX "The Rack"

 

The Best Vocalist
-Stevo Dobbins (IMPETIGO): Totally original, sick, twisted, disgusting, crazy, everything! Nobody sounded like him! Also one of the coolest and most down-to-Earth guys in death metal ever, putting him in a class all by himself.

 

The Best Guitarist
-Bill Steer (CARCASS): some of the heaviest and most powerful riffs ever, especially on "Symphonies of Sickness".

 

The Best Bass Player
-Stevo (IMPETIGO): The king of gore!!

 

The Best Drummer

-Pete Sandoval(TERRORIZER): the best death/grind performance EVER!!

 

 

Colin DAVIS (VILE)

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History
1. Morbid Angel Blessed are the sick.  Total speed and precision with real song structures and memorable riffing.
2. Hate Eternal Conquering the Throne.  Absolute pure devastation and anger.
3. Deicide Once upon the cross.  Again real song structuring and finesse with some of the best vocals ever.
4. Suffocation Pierced from Within.  One of the best death metal recordings ever and an amazing mix of technicallity and brutality. 

5. At the Gates
Slaughter of the Soul.  Is this death metal?  Started a whole new style of metal even though the bands that came from this are not nearly as good as the original.
6. Death Human  What can I say?  If you dont know this one, you dont know death metal.
7. Thanatopsis  "Sentencing without Bilss".  Demo. California Bay Area 90's death metal.  Huge influence for Vile.
8. Dimmu Borgir  Armegeddon.  Black/Death/80's metal.  Sorry but this one is phenomenal.
9. Atheist  Unquestionable Presence.  Florida death metal with jazz influences.  Amazing musicianship.  Better than Cynic I think.
10. Cannibal Corpse  Tomb of the Mutilated.  A hugely influential band that cannot be left out.

The Best Vocalist
David Vincent  Very versatile vocalist with an ultra commanding stage presence.
The Best Guitarist
Erik Rutan.  Memorable leads and the absolute best rhythm playing of all time.  Nobody plays tighter rhythms.
The Best Bass Player
Thom Hall  - Thanatopsis  Unknown bassist but can play very hard and very accurate with jazz influences.
The Best Drummer
Nick Barker  Dimmu Borgir.  This is hard but I think Nick incorporates a lot of the original master's sppealing package.

 

DON OF THE DEAD (NUN SLAUGHTER)

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History
1. Slayer - Reign in Blood
2. Mantas/ Death/ Massacre - Demos Everything with Kam Lee
3. Bathory - Bathory
4. Sodom - In the Sign of Evil
5. Slaughter - Strappado
6. Mercyful Fate - Dont Break the Oath
7. Possessed - Seven Churches
8. Venom - Welcome to Hell
9. Hellhammer - All
10. Sarcofago - INRI
 
The Best Vocalist
- Cronos - His writing style and singing style has not only influenced me but inspired me to make music
 
The Best Guitarist
-Toni Iommi - Virtually single handedly created the "Heavy Metal" riff. Without Black Sabbath none of us would be doing this and without Iommi Black Sabbath would not have destroyed the music world. Their impact is immeasurable.
 
The Best Bass Player
- Steve Harris - Ability, Style and creativity. Steve gave the metal bassist notority. He is not Death Metal but he is the best metallist for the job.
 
The Best Drummer
- Pete Sandoval - If you have to ask you would not understand. Hands down the best death metal drummer.

 

http://www.nunslaughter.com

 

 

Scott (ABHORRED)

1. Carcass: Necroticism:Descanting The Insalubrious (perfect combination of melody and brutality,...the lyrics fucking rule too- very medically technical and haughty but, with an underlying humor that has been tried to be duplicated by a number of clone bands to no avail)

2. Death: Human (i find earlier death albums to be somewhat boring and simplistic but, with Human, chuck really lets his creativity and technicallity shine...and he finally gets some good musicians to play with too)

3. Gorguts: From Wisdom To Hatw (a lot of people think Obscura is better but, the song writing on fwth is much more focused and solid...i mean, behave thru mythos maybe the perfect song)

4. Morbid Angel: Blessed Are The Sick (i mean fucking "vomit upon the cross and burn the book of lies"...this album is one of the crown jewels of death metal...it'd be so much better though if they eliminated all those stupid keyboard interludes...not only do they sound like they were done on a Casio but, they ruin the flow of the album)

5. Malevolent Creation: Retribution (these guys don't get enough respect in the genre in my opinion...i remember listening to only slayer and megadeth back in the day until Luke from Antipathy played me this beauty....i was instantly hooked...from start to finish this album never lets up...the only thing that could make this any better is if Brett Hoffman would shut the fuck up once in awhile)

6. Immolation: Closer To A World Below (when you hear the title track come in...with that fucking drone...shit, it doesn't get any heavier than that...it's a close call between this one and Here In After but, i enjoy the production and songwriting on this one a little better)

7. Entombed: Left Hand Path (these guys gotta be on the list somewhere,...i don't know...i just like this album a lot)

8. At The Gates: Slaughter Of The Soul (another great combo between melody and heaviness...i mean, how many fucking bands have tried to copy this album? These guys obviously did something right with this one)

9. Pig Destroyer: Prowler In The Yard (i might get some shit for putting these guys on a list of best death metal albums but fuck it....i love this album...from start to finish it's a wonderfully fast, fucked-up grind, mind fuck....and it's three dudes with no bass so, fuck you)

10. Necrophagist: Onset Of Putrefaction (you know, i think i like epitaph a little more than this one but, without onset there wouldn't be an epitaph...this is a crowning achievement of technicallity...Muhammed must of made a deal with some demon in order to play this fast and clean...the guy's a fucking douche when it comes to technique)

Vocalist: Steve Tucker (i like him better than David Vincent i don't care what anyone says)

Guitarist: Luc Lemay (his approach to the instrument is totally bizarre...go to guitar.com and check out his lesson if you don;'t know what i mean...his technique is totally original,...he uses the coolest most fucked-up chord voicing i've ever heard...and his fucking tone doesn't even have a lot of distortion in it yet, it's the heavist shit i've ever heard....a pioneer of the genre and music in general)

Bass: Steve Digiorgio (if you don't know who this guy is then you should kill yourself)

Drummer: Sean Reinhart (not only is he fast and technical but, he throws in all these fucking little jazzy techniques throughout his playing...some guys are faster and more precise but, this guy has a natural fluidity and flavor to him that i've never heard in any other drummer....he's not a machine, he's just a man)

 

Scott Ruble (NECROPHAGOUS)

IN NO ORDER!! :
-NAPALM DEATH "Harmony Corruption"
-OBITUARY "Cause of Death"
-DEATH "Spritual Healing"
-SUFFOCATION "Effigy of the Forgotten"
-CARCASS "Necroticim-Descanting the Insulubrious"
-CANNIBAL CORPSE "Tomb of the Mutilated"
-MONSTROSITY "Imperial Doom"
-MORBID ANGEL "Altars of Madness"
-CRYPTOPSY "Whisper Supremacy"
-BRUTAL TRUTH "Need To Control"

Best (in my opinion):

Drummer- tie between Mitch Harris and Mike Smith

Vocalist: George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher

Bassist: Alex Webster

Guitarist: Doug Cerrito

 

Samuel Biles (HIDEOUS MANGLEUS)

 

Pungent Stench - For me your flesh, for god your soul
Morbid Angel- Alters to madness
Morbid Angel - Abominations of desolation
Carcass - s.o.s.
Immolation - demo '89
Obituary - Slowly we rot
Napalm Death - from enslavement
Paineater - hypersexual pschoviolence
Grave - sexual mutilation demo
Slayer - reign in Blood

Lee dorian - vox
Bill Steer -guitar
Pete sandoval - drums
Dave Vincent - bass

 

Ross SEWAGE (IMPALED)

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History
1. Carcass - Symphonies of Sickness
2. Repulsion - Horrified
3. Pungent Stench - Been Caught Buttering
4. Impetigo - Horror of the Zombies
5. At the Gates - Slaughter of the Soul
6. Terrorizer - World Downfall
7. Napalm Death - Peel Sessions
8. Bolt Thrower - For Victory...
9. Samael - Cermony of Opposites
10. Godflesh - Slavestate

The Best Vocalist - Bill Steer

The Best Guitarist - Bill Steer

The Best Bass Player - Ross Dolan

The Best Drummer - Pete Sandoval

 

Erik PERTL (LORD BLASPHEMER)

Favorite death metal albums/demos (no particular order and not limited to):
1) Autopsy-everything, especially the demos
2) Chicago Devastation-demos
3) Necrophagia-Season of the Dead
4) Abomination-1st demo
5) Death-Scream Bloody Gore
6) Morbid Angel-Altars of Madness
7) Carcass-Reek of Putrefaction
8) Celtic Frost-To Mega Therion
9) Kreator-Pleasure to Kill
10) Obituary-Cause of Death

Favorite vocalist: Troy Dixler (Chicago Devastation/Sindrome)

Favorite guitarist: Trey Azagthoth (Morbid Angel)

Favorite bassist: Jo Bench (Bolt Thrower)

Favorite drummer: Chris Reifert (Autopsy/Abcess/the Ravenous)

 

Keith HOOK (HOOK’N’MOUTH RECORDS)

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History
1. Cannibal Corpse - The Bleeding
2. Venom - Black Metal
3. Carcass - Heartwork
4. Carcass - Symphonies of Sickness ...
5. Celtic Frost - Morbid Tales
6. Venom - Possessed
7. Slayer - Reign in Blood
8. Carcariass - Killing Process
9. Cyst - Concussion Symphony (a little self promotion)
10. Brutal Mastication - Rage Uncontrolled (a little more self promotion)

The Best Vocalist
- Chris Barnes - Cannibal Corpse / Six Feet Under

The Best Guitarist
- Bill Steer (Carcass)

The Best Bass Player
- Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse)

The Best Drummer
- Dave Lombardo (Slayer)

 

THE EVERSCATHED/UNSOLEMN

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History
1.Morbid Angel- Blessed Are The Sick
2.Morbid Angel- Covenant
3.Morbid Angel- Altars Of Madness
4.Morbid Angel- Domination
5.Corpsevomit- Bastards Of Foreverfilth
6.Deicide- Amon; Feasting The Beast
7.Cancer- Death Shall Rise
8.Death- Human
9.Suffocation- Human Waste
10.Immolation- Here In After

The Best Vocalist
- David Vincent (Morbid Angel)

The Best Guitarist
- Chuck Schuldiner (Death)

The Best Bass Player
- Steve DiGeorgio (Death, Sadus, etc.)

The Best Drummer
- Garrett Scanlan (Corpsevomit)

 

 

Rob ELLIOTT (NECRODEMON)

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History

1. Slayer - Hell Awaits
2. Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness
3. Immolation - Dawn of Possession
4. Mayhem - De Mysterious Dom Sathanas
5. Immortal - Pure Holocaust
6. Bolt Thrower - Realm of Chaos
7. Dissection - Storm of the Light's Bane
8. Vader - All demos and Revelation
9. Necrophobic - The Nocturnal Silence
10. Pestilence - Consuming Impulse

The Best Vocalist - Tom Araya (old)
The Best Guitarist - Chris Elliott of Afterlife
The Best Bass Player - Ben Elliott of Afterlife
The Best Drummer
- Shit, I can't decide. Maybe the Daves. You know Culross, Lombardo, hell the guy in Decapitated is awesome. I have seen and heard some great drummers in my time.

 

Craig HORVAL (CRUCIFIED MORTALS)

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History
  1. Desultory- Into Eternity
  2. Possessed- Seven Churches
  3. Nunslaughter- Hell's Unholy Fire
  4. Deceased- Luck of the Corpse
  5. Sadistic Intent- Resurrection
  6. Morbid Angel- Abominations of desolation
  7. Obituary- Slowly We Rot
  8. Vader- Morbid Reich 
  9. Amon- Feasting the beast
10. Onslaught- Power from hell

 

The Best Vocalist - don't exactly have one

The Best Guitarist- Chuck Schuldiner

The Best Bass Player - Jeff Becerra

The Best Drummer - Thomas Johnson

 

 

Bryan (TERROR ASCENDS)

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History
1.Morbid Angel-Covenant
2.Hate Eternal-King of all Kings
3.Death- The Sound of perseverance
4.The Berzerker- D i s s i m u l a t e
5.Morbid Angel- Blessed are the sick
6.Necrophagist-Epitaph
7.Vader-Reign forever world
8.Hateplow-The only law is survival
9.Cannibal Corpse- Eaten back to life
10.Macabre-Dahmer

 

The Best Vocalist
-Kyle Symons

 

The Best Guitarist
-Erik Rutal

 

The Best Bass Player
-David Vincent

 

The Best Drummer
-Derek Roddy

 

www.terrorascends.com

 

BONESAW (HEAVYCORE ORGANIZATION)

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History


1. Deicide-Deicide
2.Cannibal Corpse-Tomb Of The Mutilated
3.Morbid Angel-Gateways To Annihilation
4.Lust Of Decay-Kingdom Of Corpses
5.Lividity-The Age Of Clitoral Decay
6.Cattle Decapitation-Humanure
7.Vital Remains-Dechristianize
8.Dying Fetus-Killing On Adrenaline
9.Skinless-Foreshadowing Our Demise
10.Nile-Black Seeds Of Vengence

 

The Best Vocalist
-Chris Barnes-Cannibal Corpse 1993 era

 

The Best Guitarist
-Brian Hoffman-Deicide

 

The Best Bass Player
-Alex Webster-Cannibal Corpse

 

The Best Drummer

-Pete Sandoval-Morbid Angel

 

www.heavycore.org

 

Ryan BUTLER  (NORTH SIDE KINGS / MERCITRON)

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History
 1.  Suffocation - Pierced From Within  Man, what can I say.  Most people would probably put Effigy of the Forgotten due to the Riff in Liege of Inveracity (come on, you know the one I'm talking about.  The one that
changed American Death Metal!).  But, when I first heard this, I was fucking blown away.  The recording is great, the riffs are as technical as it gets, and just as punishing.  And Frank's vocals just kill.  I get a boner everytime I hear the drum intro on Pierced
From Within.  I had to take the sound of it off of my computer desktop theme due to too many boner's.
 2.  Carcass - Necroticism - Descanting the
Insulubrious  Fucking A.  Another big influence on my guitar playing.  The Steer/Ammott combo was one of the
best of all time.  Some of the cleanest riffs you will ever hear are on this album and make me want to bang my head until it's severed. 
 3.  Entombed - Left Hand Path 

The Kings of SwedishDeath Metal.  Probably one of the first bands to tune to B and probably the heaviest guitar sound of all
time.  Another great punk influenced record as well!
 4.  Malevolent Creation - Retribution This record, along with Pierced From Within has probably been one of the biggest influences in my guitar style throughout my history in Unruh, Structure of Lies, and now Mercitron.  People often call the amount of tremolo picking I do black metal influenced.  Fuck
that shit!  It's Retribution influenced!
 5.  Gorefest - False  I recently got into these guys as I'd heard them a million times and never bought anything.  After a few listens to False I was fucking blown away. 
 6.  Repulsion - Horrified tied with Terrorizer -
World Downfall  Come on, you can't just put one of these. 
 7.  Assuck - Anticapital  I fucking love this little known band.  They were really big in the hardcore scene in the 90's, but were pure deathgrind.  Steve Heritage from Morrisound Studio's was the mastermind of this band, and Rob Proctor from Nasty Savage on drums.  Fucking brilliant.  Misery Index took their
name from their second album.
 8.  Autopsy - Severed Survival  Slow, Heavy, and brutal.  Gotta love this one. 
 9.  Napalm Death - From Enslavement to
Obliteration/Harmony Corruption tie.  Both of these records were so fucking progressive in their own ways bringing hardcore into death metal, but yet totally different.   
 10.  Death - Sounds of Perserverance  fucking Chuck man.  The final nail in the Death coffin.  This record shows his progressiveness combined with brutality in such an elegant way and was such a fitting ending.
 
 The Best Vocalist
 - Martin Van Druning - He sounded like he was literally gargling fucking glass.  Just so desperate and brutal.  His work in Pestilence, Asphyx, and Comecon still blow me away to this day.  I know Consuming Impulse didn't make my list, but shit, this was hard!
 
 The Best Guitarist
 - wow, this is a hard one being that I'm a
guitarist.  If we're just staying in the death metal realm, I'm really into Terrance Hobbes and Chuck Schuldiner.  Chuck just had a finesse with a guitar. The fact that he played half the stuff he did and sang at the same time blew me away, plus he did all the leads.  R.I.P. chuck.  Terrance just knows how to
punish with a slow riff or a fast riff and has
enjoyable out of control leads. 
 
 The Best Bass Player
 -  Not that you can hear many bassists in death metal, but I'll probably pick the obvious choice of Steve Digiorgio.  His work on the Control Denied album was probably more impressive than anything in death metal, but his Sadus stuff and Death albums were great
too. 
 
 The Best Drummer
 -  I'm gonna have to go with Richard Christy.  I know he's not a stereotypical death metal drummer, but I fucking love his work on Sounds of Perserverance. The fact that he's done time in Iced Earth, Incantation, Control Denied, and his own DM band Burning Inside make him a shoe in (he can do a blast
too!).  Second Place runner up, Kevin Talley of Dying Fetus/Misery Index
 
www.northsidekings.net
www.myspace.com/mercitron
www.thorprecords.com

 

Tom ALES (EXPERIMENT FEAR)

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History
(Another plus to all of these albums, they can be listened to from
beginning to end with no skippers)
1.Suffocation - Effigy of the Forgotten
This album defined brutality in music...my favorite form.  It stands until this day as the trend setter for generations to come.  Every timeI put it in my hair stands on end.
2. Malevolent Creation - Retribution
By far the most apocalyptic sounding death metal album ever!  The line up and the creative fury of this band at this time could not be matched.
3. Morbid Angel - Blessed are the Sick
The perfect example of death metal at its finest.  Killer riffs and phenomenal progressions.  This album taunts you with ever changing tempos and variety.
4. Carcass - Symphonies of Sickness

'til this day, I still don't understand how a band could convey a
message of gore and sickness through not only their lyrics, but the production of their album as well.  There will never be a grind/death/gore combo that will ever top these gods.
5. Death - Individual Thought Patterns
I realize there is a lot of great Death material prior to this album,but none with the amount of amazing rhythms and over the top musicianship.  Chuck (R.I.P.) will never be forgotten for the hours of endless listening bliss he has provided to me.
6. Seance - Fornever Laid to Rest
This band is haunting, brutal, tight, loose, technical, straight
forward, etc.  Come up with any terms to describe your favorite bands and throw them all in with these guys.  I have never here a weirder and more influential band.  Too bad they called it after only two albums.
7. Vader - Black to the Blind
Straight forward death metal that you just want to cause violence to. They definitely have a style all their own (unfortunately they have worn it out on their new albums).  But this album just hits you and leaves you wanting more.
8. Gorguts - From Wisdom to Hate
Never has a band progressed to such heights.  This band is like a kick n the groin that leaves you thinking not hurting.  We would all be lucky if we could create music that is catchy and technical at the same time. 
9. Dying Fetus - Destroy the Opposition
As far as second generation death metal bands go, Fetus is a winner.  I had a chance to see them live on this tour and man...there is a reason. They were called the hardest working band in death metal.  Brutal to the core with spine tingling twists. 
10. Monstrosity - Millennium
Were did Jason Morgan (the guitarist) go to after this??  I love
Monstrosity!  But this line up was delivered straight from hell.  Corpse Grinder on the vox, Morgan riffing it up, and Harrison pounding away...this album is the headlock that leaves you passed out on the loor in your drool.

The Best Vocalist
-Nergal - Behemoth
This band is hot sometimes and cold others.  I love a lot of their stuff, but one thing always shines through...Nergal's vocals.  That man can sound like the most vengeful demon with unbelievable range.  He lines up lyrics like a genius as well.

The Best Guitarist
-Erik Rutan - Morbid Angel/Hate Eternal
Speaking more towards the Hate Eternal stuff, Erik can make his guitar one of the most brutal and stylish sounds at the same time.  Watching him live is nothing less than amazing.  If he we not singing while playing I would be amazed; oh yeah, and when he sings, he does not sing along with the rhythms of the guitar.  He is not human...I'm serious!

The Best Bass Player
- Chris Richards - Suffocation
Another person that disappeared off my radar.  I have to give credit to most death metal bassists, playing what they are asked to play on a bass is difficult.  But typically that is where is stops, most play right with the guitar.  Chris defied tradition and played bass lines to already technically brutal music that were original and unbelievable with a great production.

The Best Drummer
- Richard Cristy - Death/Burning Inside
Hands down, the first Burning Inside disc has some of the most incredible drumming I have ever heard (His other stuff is amazing as well).  But the fact remains, I don't think he has any triggers on that album.  And I think he was bred from a Jazz and metal drummer.  This man is unstoppable...the Neal Pert of death metal.

 

CIRCLE OF FEAR

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History
1.Deicide-Deicide
2.Death-Leprosy
3.Suffocation-Effigy of the Forgotten
4.Napalm Death-Harmony Corruption
5.Carcass-Necroticism
6.Carcass-Tools of the Trade
7.Cannibal Corpse-The Bleeding
8.Possessed-Seven Churches
9.Death-Symbolic
10.Obituary-The End Complete

The Best Vocalist -Glenn Benton
The Best Guitarist -James Murphy
The Best Bass Player -Alex Webster
The Best Drummer - Mike Smith

 

Jon RIFENBURG (GRIMARIA)

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History

1. PESTILENCE - Malleus Maleficarum

2. NAPALM DEATH - Scum
3. MORBID ANGEL - Blessed are the Sick
4. BRUJERIA - Raza Odiada

5. OBITUARY - Cause of Death
6. BOLT THROWER - Realm of Chaos
7. DEICIDE - Legion
8. DEATH - Leprosy
9. POLTERCHRIST - Engulfed by the Swarm (this is another band from Pennsylvannia that we've had the pleasure to play with and they blew us away!)
10. NILE - Black Seeds of Vengence

The Best Drummer
- Danny Herrera - Napalm Death

 

 

King FOWLEY (DECEASED, OCTOBER 31)

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History
 
 1.SACRIFICE DEMO #1 CANADA
 2.ATROCITY CT DEMO #2
 3.FANTOM WARIOR MORBID INVASION DEMO
 4.SADUS 'DEATH TO POSERS'
 5.POSSESSED DEMO #1
 6.NUCLEAR DEATH WELCOME TOT HE MINDS OF THE MORBID
 7. GHOSTRIDER DEMO #1 ITALY
 8.PRIME EVIL MANIFESTATION DEMO
 9.RIPPING CORPSE DEMO #2
 10.TORMENTOR END OF THE WORLD DEMO

 The Best Vocalist
 -ROB URBANATI

 The Best Guitarist
 -ERIC RUTAN

 The Best Bass Player
 -MARY CIALLO

 The Best Drummer
 -DAVE LOMBARDO

 

Mike CONIGLIO (RELLIK)

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History
1. Morbid Angel-Covenant

 2. Nile-Amongst the Catacombs of Nephren-Ka

3. Cannibal Corpse-Vile
4. Vader-Litany
5. Deicide-Once Upon the Cross
6. Hateplow-The Only Law is Survival
7. Suffocation-Souls to Deny
8. Marduk-Panzer Division Marduk
9. God Dethroned-Ravenous
10. Gorgasm-Bleeding Profusely

 

The Best Vocalist
-My favorite vocalist of all time is Dani Filth. I know he's more of a black metal singer and I don't think his vocals are as good as they used to be, however, his vocal range, vocal style and lyrics are phenomenal.

 

The Best Guitarist
-I think the best guitarist out there is Karl Sanders of Nile. He has great skill in lead and rhythm. More importantly he consistently writes amazing songs.

 

The Best Bass Player
-B. War, ex-Marduk. B. War has excellent technique and knows when to add lines to make the songs more interesting and when to hold back and let the songs jam out.

 

The Best Drummer
-This is an extremely difficult one, but my favorite is John Longstreth. Extremely fast, extremely technical and he does it all in good taste.

 

SANGRETH (SOL NEGRO)

 

1. Death "Scream Bloody Gore".
2. Morbid Angel "Abominations Of Desolation".
3. Obituary "Slowly We Rot".
4. Immolation "Demo '89".
5. Pestilence "Consuming Impulse".
6. Autopsy "Severed Survival".
7. Nihilist "All".
8. Grotesque "Incantation".
9. Grave "Anatomia Corporis Humanis".
10. Unleashed "The Utter Dark" demo.

Best Vocalist: Ross Dolan (Immolation,demo era).
Best Guitarist: Ufe Cederlund (Nihilist/Entombed "Left
                               Hand Path" era).
Best Bass Player: Johnny Hedlund (Nihilist/Unleashed,
                                  demo/7" era).
Best Drummer: Pete Sandoval (Morbid Angel).

 My comments: I still remember the very first time I listened to Possessed "Seven Churches"
and it was such an impact that my whole  attitude changed not only in the way I listened to music but also in the way I  saw my friends when I played the album for them, I didn't consider them Death Metal even though They had a song with that title but when bands like Morbid  Angel and Death were adapting the style I think that's when the term Death Metal
 fit more into the music,I still think no vocalist has ever created such atmosphere  as Jeff Becerra did in that album but  that's just my opinion.
                                 Sangreth/Sol Negro.

 

Henry VEGGIAN (REVENANT)

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History
1. Celtic Frost - To MegaTherion. This record, if released today, would still be twenty years ahead of its time.

2. Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness. Technically superb.

3. Sepultura - Morbid Visions. The first major non-U.S. or European death metal record, from possibly the best group of teenage death metal songwriters of all time.  

4. Death - Scream Bloody Gore. Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated death metal record of that decade. Evil Chuck R.I.P.

5. Possessed - Seven Churches. I saw them play in New York (CBGB's) with Dark Angel the following year. It was monumental.

6.  Immolation - Dawn of Possession. This record, more than any other, made the world recognize the New York death metal scene. A great record.

7. Cannibal Corpse - Eaten Back to Life. This band has remained true to their style, and this record started it all.

8. Vader - The Ultimate Incantation. A personal favorite of mine, and a turning point in European metal.

9. Macabre - Gloom. Not pure death, but a truly original record.

10. Unleashed - Sworn Allegiance. The future of the form.

 

The Best Vocalist

- Evil Chuck Shuldiner (on Leprosy in particular).

 

The Best Guitarist
-  Shawn Kelly and Erik Rutan n (Ripping Corpse). Their first and only record, Dreaming with the Dead, contains to this day the best guitar work on any death metal record ever released.

 

The Best Bass Player

- Dave Bizzigotti (Ripping Corpse). It's difficult to hear him on "Dreaming with the Dead"” but if you pay attention you won't believe your ears.

 

The Best Drummer
- Brandon Thomas ( Ripping Corpse). The greatest, most under-rated drummer of his generation, and still among the best.

 

James PARKS II (PROPHECY)

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History
1.  Suffocation - Effigy Of The Forgotten / Pierced From Within
2.  Dying Fetus - Infatuation with Malevolence / Stop At Nothing
3.  Pyrexia - System Of The Animal
4.  Deicide - Once Upon The Cross
5.  (shameless self promotion...ha!) Prophecy - Foretold...Foreseen / Our Domain
6.  Decapitated - The Negation / Nihility / Winds Of Creation
7.  Psycroptic - The Scepter Of The Ancients
8.  Internal Bleeding - Driven To Conquer/Extinction Of Benevolence
9.  Death - Symbolic
10.  Cannibal Corpse - The Bleeding

The Best Vocalist - John Gallagher / Frank Mullen / old school Chris Barnes

The Best Guitarist - John Gallagher / Terrance Hobbs

The Best Bass Player - Alex Webster

The Best Drummer - Dave Culros / Mike Smithevin Tally

 

Troy Norwood  (RECOURSE)

1. Obituary  /  The End Complete
2. Death  / Scream Bloody Gore
 3. Morbid Angel /  Altars Of Madness
4. Napalm Death /  Harmony Corruption
5. Death /  Human
6. Cannibal Corpse /  Butchered At Birth
 7. Deicide / Legion
8. Incantation / Diabolical Conquest
9. Dying Fetus /  Killing On Adrenaline
10. Morbid Angel / Blessed Are The Sick


 The Best Vocalist- John Tardy- Obituary

The Best Guitarist - Trey Azagthoth- Morbid Angel

The Best Bass Player   Glen Benton- Deicide

The Best Drummer-  Gene Hoglan- Death


www.recoursemetal.com

 

Ken (FLESH GALLERY)

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History
1.Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness
2.Suffocation - Pierced from Within
3.Cannibal Corpse - Butchered at Birth
4.Deicide - Deicide
5.Pestilence - Consvming Impulse
6.Carcass - Heartwork
7.Sepultura- Beneath the Remains
8.Obituary - Cause of Death
9.Sinister - Cross the Styx
10.Gorefest - False

The Best Vocalist
-John Tardy - Obituary

The Best Guitarist
-Bill Steer - Carcass

The Best Bass Player
-Alex Webster - Cannibal Corpse

The Best Drummer
-Dave Culross - Malevolent Creation

 

Rick PERRY (GAMMACIDE)

 

The Best Albums and Demos in Death Metal History
1.  Carcass -- symphonies of sickness
2.  Morbid Angel -- altars of madness
3.  Death - Leprosy
4.  Obituary -- Slowly we rot
5.  Celtic Frost -- morbid tales
6.  Morbid Angel -- domination
7.  Grave -- soulless
8.  Death -- scream bloody gore
9.  Obituary -- the second one (can't remember the title)
10. Possessed -- seven churches

 

The Best Vocalist
-David Vincent -- super heavy, not too low in pitch, a more "natural" death metal voice

 

The Best Guitarist
-Trey Azagthoth -- insane leads and riffs transmitted across boundaries of time and space by the ancient ones

 

The Best Bass Player
-Jeff Walker -- listen to Carcass' "ruptured in purulence"

 

The Best Drummer
-Pete Sandoval -- fastest death/thrash drummer of all time

 

 

Steve (CRUCIFIRE)

Best albums/demos:

1. Slayer - hell awaits

2. Incantation - onward to golgotha

3. Possessed - seven churches

4. Autopsy - mental funeral

5. Sarcofago - INRI

6. Morbid Angel - altars of madness

7. Death - scream bloody gore

8. Necrovore - devus de mortuus demo

9. Corpse Molestation - descention of a darker deity demo

10. Bolt Thrower - warmaster

This was very difficult to do in only TEN choices. Death Metal bands that could have easily rated high are early works by Pestilence, Carcass, C.Frost, Immolation, Obituary, Vital Remains, Mystifier, Sepultura, Onslaught, Necrophagia... TEN choices are not enough!

Best vocalist. Craid Pillard (Incantation/Disciples of Mockery). He is the master of gutteral death.

Best guitarist. Trey Azagthoth (Morbid Angel). Not an original choice, but who is better?!

Best bass player. Martin Van Drunen (Pestilence/Asphyx). Consuming Impulse is killer!

Best Drummer. Chris Reifert (Death/Autopsy/Abcess). No fancy stuff. Just natural drums that backed up the music perfectly. The godfather of gore!

 

 

Kirk (HATRED UNLEASHED)

The Best 10 Albums in Death Metal History
(in no specific order)
01. Morbid Angel - Altars Of Madness
02. Death - Scream Bloody Gore
03. Possessed - Seven Churches
04. Slayer - Reign In Blood
05. Deicide - Legion
06. Cannibal Corpse - The Bleeding
07. Kreator - Pleasure To Kill
08. Destruction - Infernal Overkill
09. Celtic Frost - Morbid Tales
10. Bathory - Blood Fire Death

The Best Vocalist
- Quorthon

The Best Guitarist
- Trey Azagthoth

The Best Bass Player
- Alex Webster

The Best Drummer
- Pete Sandoval

 

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