Florida in the 1980’s with its sunny weather, cheery disposition and reputation for being home to Disney World is certainly not the first place you would think of when reflecting on the term ‘Death Metal.’ Hell any place OTHER than Orlando Florida would come to mind. However that being said any hardcore metal fan’s thoughts would certainly head straight for the good ol’ Orange County…the question however is why? Why, is it that with death metal’s reputation for the hectic vocals, frantic drumming, distorted guitars and death related lyrics; that this sunny place comes instantly to mind? It’s because of the musical genius that is Death; one of the best selling metal acts with over 1.5 million albums sold worldwide!

Founded in 1983 by Chuck Schuldiner, the band was originally known as ‘Mantas’ and had an original line up that included Rick Rozz and Barney Kam Lee. In 1984 they released a demo titled ‘Death by Metal’ however, soon after they renamed the band ‘Death’ and released another demo known as ‘Reign of Terror’. Death was considered the pioneers of Death Metal and Schuldiner was often hailed as the “father of the genre”; though Chuck himself thought differently- “I don’t think I should take the credits for this death metal stuff. I’m just a guy from a band, and I think Death is a metal band.” However there is no question that Death was; as quoted by Music biographer Garry Sharpe-Young; “a genre breaking band…centred upon front man Chuck Schuldiner, which would become one of the prime instigators of the death metal movement”

‘Screamy Bloody Gore’ which is described as “death metal’s first archetypal document” was released in 1987 with ‘Leprosy’ and ‘Spiritual Healing’ following in 1988 and 1989 respectively. Death’s musical style progressed from a more vicious style of Death Metal to a far more skilled and complex style of Progressive Death Metal. After running into some problems with Terry Butler and Bill Andrews who were present members of the band Schuldiner grew tired of the idea of a band set up and decided to hire session musicians instead. Schuldiner hired Steve DiGiorgio, Sean Reinert and Paul Masvidal and recorded ‘Human’ which was released in 1991. The album was heavier than usual, and each song had some massive guitar solos and Schuldiner’s vocals remained on a lower pitch than those in his earlier works. The song ‘Lack of Comprehension’ had an official video released which was actually played on MTV. Ah the salad days indeed.

The year 1993 saw Death release yet another album, ‘Individual Thought Patterns’ – Rejoice? Fuck. Yeah. This album may not have been as heavy as ‘Human’ but is great in its own right as it further accentuates the combination of Progressive and Death Metal that Death was stepping into. There was also a video that was released for the track ‘The Philosopher’ which is made it on to an episode of Beavis & Butt-head in 1994 (Beavis also parodies Schuldiner’s vocals in a mock ‘drive-thru’ order of ‘tacos, to go!’ in death-metal style). 1993 also saw the band end its relationship with Relativity and sign with Roadrunner Records under which ‘Symbolic’ was released in 1995. The record showed an evolvement in genres as it weighed more towards the Technical/ Progressive Metal side and was the one before the last album that Death conjured.

1998 was the year that birthed ‘The Sound of Perseverance’; which in my opinion is hands down one of the best albums ever spawned by Death. Some may argue that the record is not what the real Death was but sorry! Death is exactly what Chuck says it is and what Chuck wants it to be. This album’s enormity is due to so many things including the vocals, guitar, bass and drums each in their own technical, skill – backed brilliance. What a way to go my friends, what a way to go. The line up for this album comprised of Schuldiner, Shannon Hamm, Scott Clendenin, and Richard Christy.

Shortly after the release of the album Chuck was diagnosed with brain cancer.

It was a gruelling battle which he eventually lost on the 13^th of December 2001 aged 34. He was an inspiration to many in and out of the metal scene and will most certainly continue to be. The album’s i.e. Chuck’s little masterpieces each in their own right had something extraordinary about them and showed a gradual progression that seemed to leap ahead further and faster every step of the way. It’s almost too easy to say that Chuck on his own was the mastermind behind Death throughout; also taking into consideration the fact that he was the only steadfast member of the band, but jokes aside- all hail one of the many demigods of metal Chuck Schuldiner.

Something definitely worth mention for its sheer enormousness is the list of former Death members which include:

Guitarists

* Rick Rozz – (1983–1985, 1987–1989)

* Matt Olivo – (1985)

* John Hand – (never has been known to be a part of the band, neither on album or live, however is credited on Scream Bloody Gore (1987)

* Paul Masvidal – (1989, 1991–1992)

* Albert Gonzalez – (1990)

* James Murphy – (1989)

* Andy LaRocque – (1993)

* Ralph Santolla – (1993)

* Craig Locicero – (1993)

* Bobby Koelble – (1995)

Bassists

* Scott Carlson – (1985)

* Erik Meade – (1985)

* Terry Butler – (1987–1990)

* Steve DiGiorgio – (1986, 1991, 1993)

* Skott Carino – (1991–1992)

* Kelly Conlon – (1995)

* Brian Benson – (Symbolic Tour)

Drummers

* Kam Lee – (1983–1985; with supporting vocals)

* Eric Brecht – (1985)

* Chris Reifert – (1986–1987)

* Bill Andrews – (1987–1990)

* Sean Reinert – (1991–1992)

* Gene Hoglan – (1993–1995)