Death metal is a subgenre of heavy music known for its brutality and macabre lyrics, featuring some of its leading bands on this greatest hits compilation.
Cannibal Corpse built upon the legacy laid down by groups such as Possessed and Morbid Angel, developing their own signature style that combined brutality with technical guitar passages.
1. “Pull the Plug” by Chuck Schuldiner
Deicide has long been considered one of the premier death metal bands and remains one of the most brutal bands ever. They helped pioneer all forms of death/thrash/tech metal subgenres and continue to be revered by fans today for their musical talent; but Deicide doesn’t own this genre – as proven by this song “Pull the Plug”, an example of classic straight technical death metal music; its slow, brutal rhythm makes headbangers work their heads over every beat while Chuck Schuldiner preaches violence, gore and other dark matters from Chuck’s vocals – but Deicide don’t own this genre – yet.
While “Pull the Plug” might seem too long for most audiences, it serves as an excellent example of Death’s ability to combine black metal and progressive elements within their music. Furthermore, “Pull the Plug” showcases how Death were able to change their sound with each album while still appealing to their core audience of extreme metalheads.
Death’s frontman Chuck Schuldiner was an expert at creating dark and eerie music and lyrics that resonate with listeners – even on more serious albums like their 1998 effort Leprosy, his work still maintains this unique lyrical edge that sets his work apart from others in metal. This song from Death will get you started in understanding this aspect of metal.
Hard to argue with a song that opens with someone pouring alcohol into their mouth and ends with an epic, sludge-covered guitar solo with lyrics like, “I’ll take a bullet for my queen.” Few songs exude LA cool as effectively as this track from California’s Eagles of Death Metal featuring Jesse Hughes’ laidback vocals over Karl Sanders’ low-fi drumming.
2. “The Silent Life” by Rivers of Nihil
As it pertains to death metal, various bands have attempted to expand its definition. While some bands such as Judas Priest have succeeded (their intricate law-breaking mini-epics or Metallica’s revamp of Sabbath’s tempos to cause headbangers whiplash), others have failed miserably. But there have been exceptions; among these Rivers of Nihil remain true to its roots by releasing Where Owls Know My Name this month along with an accompanying video for “The Silent Life”, which can be watched below.
This song’s name says it all: it is an honest and thought-provoking exploration of suicide and depression. One of the heaviest tracks on this list, it offers an aural assault both harrowing and satisfying; an impressive display of their ability to be both extreme and melodic at once; one of the more creative death metal bands out there.
Chuck Schuldiner’s Death remains one of the most popular songs on this list, as it pushes death metal further into progressive territory while maintaining its most brutal aspects. This song stands out as an outstanding example, combining slow-churning death metal with black metal style vocal delivery to produce an excellent track that stands up as essential listening for anyone interested in either genre.
Eagles of Death Metal’s rendition of Guns N’ Roses’ “Paradise City,” however, will have you wanting to do just that in Los Angeles. Boasting an exciting beat and powerhouse vocalist Jesse Hughes singing consistently throughout, as well as touches of prog and extreme elements make this track from their 2019 cover album Boots Electric Performing The Best Songs We Never Wrote an unforgettable listen.
3. “Demonic Refusal” by Testament
As if the riffs weren’t enough, this song’s lyrics provide a bloodbath. Talking of piecing back together a dead body after it has been dismembered and divided, this gives off an extremely dark and sinister vibe – death metal at its finest and one of the best songs written in this genre!
Many songs on this list come from classic death metal bands, Death being one such. Although Death may have pioneered certain subgenres of death metal (such as tech death), they don’t own it all and there have been far better albums than this one in its genre.
Nile are another legendary band from South Carolina and pioneers of death metal subgenres. This track from their album In Their Darkened Shrines pays homage to Egypt’s 2300 BCE Pharaoh Unas with some truly grungy vocals from frontman Chuck Billy; something we rarely get to witness from him previously! It was remarkable hearing him sing with such a harsh tone compared to previous works.
Testament was caught off-guard by the 90s and this album shows it. Although some tracks feature heavy grooves and death metal influences, they lack dynamics compared to later work from them. Perhaps they were trying to avoid becoming part of musical date rape trend of their time period but more likely experienced an identity crisis at this point in time.
Opeth is another surprising presence on this list, though. Although its inclusion may seem unusual at first, its music does feature some very catchy tracks with melodic guitar licks that fuse perfectly with heavy riffs to provide an impressive album experience.
4. “Heartwork” by Carcass
Carcass’ final album with Chuck Schuldiner in it and an iconic example of melodic death metal. Depending on your views and feelings towards Carcass, this record could either be seen as one of the greatest albums ever made or as an act of betrayal by an icon who sold out. Although its sound may have veered too commercial for underground ears and its sound much more mainstream than their earlier work, this record remains an amazing example of heavy metal album creation.
This album highlights the melodic side hinted at on Symphonies of Sickness and used as an additional component on Necroticism; making it the focus. Songs combine magisterial guitar gestures, melodic leads, and absolute thrashing depravity, all underpinned by Ken Owen’s unrivaled drumming that gives each track an air of urgency and impending doom.
Although some fans may perceive this album as selling out, it’s important to keep in mind that heavy music bands often adapt in response to shifting tastes in music – whether this involves transitioning away from punk rock toward hardcore or adding melodic styles – in order to gain wider audiences and increase revenue streams.
This album is perfect for anyone seeking an example of melodic death metal music and should be on any Carcass fan’s listening list. If you find this album to be enjoyable, check out their other albums and see which genres they have explored with their sound.
5. “Unto Infinite Twilight / Majesty of Infernal Damnation” by Edge of Sanity
As anyone familiar with metal music can attest, its compositions rarely shy away from darker themes and provocative imagery. From Death’s Satanic imagery to bands such as Gojira’s sensuous lifestyle anthems like Gogostarr, heavy metal acts as powerful declarations of individualism and rebellion against conformity; its influence can even save movies from total disaster! Heavy metal has long been recognized for shaping cultures as well as saving movies. Heavy metal transcends mere genre status to become an approachable lifestyle that celebrates humanity’s most violent sides while paying homage to other styles of music as complex and innovative ways.
Through the years, death metal has evolved into many styles while still remaining true to its roots of chaos and brutality. While most other genres tend to focus on melodic riffs with clean vocals and clean lyrics, death metal features guttural growling to convey war imagery, suffering, infertility issues, as well as its love of all things grotesque or demonic. Bands such as Carcass, Suffocation and Cannibal Corpse continue pushing heaviness limits with ever increasing speed and intensity levels – it’s also extremely technical with crushing buzzsaw riffs and powerful blast beats!
So we put out an open call to the UG community for their favorite death metal songs over 10 minutes long, and created this list of the 10 Best Death Metal Songs Over 10 Minutes Long. While not strictly death metal songs themselves, all have elements that lean toward death metal that make these tracks epic tracks ever recorded! So put on your neck brace and prepare to explore some sonic hellscapes!