History/Origin
Death metal emerged in the early and mid 80s, as a largely underground phenomenon, spawned by the then burgeoning thrash metal scene. The death metal circuit was rooted in the United States and Germany, with numerous bands pushing the thresholds of thrash metal. The genre followed on the speed and complexity characteristic of thrash metal vocals, along with brutally harsh vocals and drum patterns that involved the extensive use of double bass and blast beats. Its harsh sound and themes and imagery make it unpalatable for the masses and mainstream audiences, which is why with the exception of a few bands the music has never really been commercially successful in the mainstream.

Artists who made it famous
Obituary; Cannibal Corpse; Death; Bolt Thrower; Napalm Death; Morbid Angel; Necrophagia; Suffocation

Best known proponents today
Deicide; Behemoth; Arch Enemy; In Flames; Zyklon; Nile

High points/Memorable Moments
Towards the end of the 80s a number of record labels began to show interest in and promote death metal, with some even coming into existence solely for promoting death metal. Earache Records, Relativity Records and Roadrunner Records were some of the biggest labels, and they signed on some of the best known death metal bands. This was one of the high points for the genre, with many death metal bands benefiting tremendously from the exposure and audience they could get through these record contracts.

Trivia

Napalm Death was so impressed with Death’s ‘Leprosy’ album, that they flew down to Florida’s ‘Morrisound Studios’, hoping to achieve the same sound on their ‘Harmony Corruption’ album.

Bolt Thrower took their name from ‘Warhammer Fantasy Battle’, a tabletop strategy game. The lyrical content and artwork for their second and third albums were also based on the game, with the game's publisher in fact providing most of the artwork.

“They should understand that there's more to write about in the world than zombies and Satan. I would like to think that someone would be interested enough to pick up a copy of "Human" and realise that I write about sensible subjects, that not all Heavy Metal deals with death and destruction.”
- Chuck Schuldiner

“There is no certain image. You've just got to be 110% dedicated, and totally loyal. That's what we ask for. Not what you look like.”
- Gavin Ward

Famous Song
Reign in Blood – Slayer (1986); Human – Death (1991); Eaten Back to Life – Cannibal Corpse (1990); Harmony Corruption – Napalm Death (1990)