Death metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music, characterized by growling vocals, blast beats, and distorted guitars. It was first developed in the mid-1980s in the United States and Europe, emerging from the thrash metal scene.
Since then, it has evolved into several subgenres, including technical death metal, blackened death metal, and death-doom. Death metal is known for its horror and gore-inspired lyrics, drawing influence from horror films and literature, and its aggressive sound.
Evolution and Subgenres
The evolution of death metal can be traced back to the mid-1980s, with the release of Death’s debut album, Scream Bloody Gore, in 1987, and Possessed’s Seven Churches, in 1985. These albums are considered to be the first true death metal records, pioneering the genre by combining the fast-paced rhythms of thrash metal with guttural vocals.
Over time, death metal began to take on a variety of different sounds and styles, spawning numerous subgenres. Technical death metal emerged in the early 1990s, characterized by complex instrumentation, intricate song structures, and virtuosic musicianship.
Examples of technical death metal bands include Necrophagist, Obscura, and Spawn of Possession. Blackened death metal combines elements of death metal with black metal, incorporating blast beats, tremolo picking, and dark, atmospheric tones.
Bands like Behemoth, Belphegor, and Septicflesh are examples of blackened death metal bands. Death-doom is a fusion of death metal with doom metal, characterized by slow, crushing rhythms, and melancholic melodies.
Acts such as My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost, and Katatonia are known for their death-doom.
Characteristics and Influences
Death metal is defined by its aggressive sound, fast and heavy instrumentation, growling or guttural vocals, and lyrics that often explore themes of horror, gore, and death. The genre’s sound is heavily influenced by a wide range of styles, including black metal, thrash metal, punk, and even classical music.
One of the defining features of death metal is the use of growling or guttural vocals, which are typically low-pitched and heavily distorted. This vocal style is meant to convey a sense of brutality and aggression, and is often used to complement the complex and heavy instrumentation of the music.
The guitar, bass, and drums contribute heavily to the genre’s sound and complexity. Distorted guitars create an aggressive sound, often using heavy riffs and dissonant intervals.
Blast beats, characterized by fast, furiously-paced drumming, are heavily used in death metal, creating a chaotic and frenzied atmosphere. Lyrically, death metal explores themes of horror, gore, and death, often drawing influence from horror films and literature.
Bands like Cannibal Corpse and Deicide are known for their shocking and controversial lyrics, often exploring themes of Satanism, blasphemy, and violence.
Conclusion
Death metal is a unique and diverse genre that combines elements of thrash metal, punk, and black metal, creating a sound that is aggressive and intense. With its intricate instrumentation, growling vocals, and horror-inspired lyrics, it has become a favorite among metalheads around the world.
If you’re new to the genre, there are plenty of great bands to explore, from the pioneers like Death and Possessed to the more modern bands like Thy Art Is Murder and Cattle Decapitation. So strap on your headphones and get ready to experience the raw power and intensity of death metal.
In summary, death metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that emerged in the mid-1980s, characterized by fast and heavy instrumentation, guttural vocals, and horror-inspired lyrics. The genre has since evolved into several subgenres, including technical death metal, blackened death metal, and death-doom.
Death metal has been influenced by a variety of styles, including black metal, thrash metal, punk, and classical music. Whether you’re a longtime death metal fan or new to the genre, it’s an unforgettable listening experience that showcases the raw power and intensity of heavy metal music.
