Death

Death was an American death metal band, originally called Mantas, which operated from 1983 to 1999. The band was created by Chuck Schuldiner, who was the only constant band member from inception to dissolution. They were considered pioneers of the genre.

After the release of several early tapes and several line-up changes, it was not until 1987 that they signed to Combat Records and released their debut, Scream Bloody Gore. It was followed in 1988 by Leprosy and by 1989's Spiritual Healing the band was starting to show an increased technical virtuosity. Increasing tensions within the fluctuating band line-up continued including an ill-fated tour which dispensed with Schuldiner altogether and resulted in the firing of two band members, (Terry Butler and Bill Andrews) for their audacity. Consequently, the well received album, Human (1991), was recorded by Schuldiner using only session musicians. Individual Thought Patterns and Symbolic were the next releases. The Sound of Perseverance (1998) was the last album recorded by Death, after which Schuldiner dissolved the band and formed the slightly more melodically inclined, Control Denied. The new band managed to release only one album The Fragile Art of Existence (1999) before Schuldiner developed a brain tumour and died in 2001.