Formed in 1983, Death emerged as a pioneer of the death metal genre with their 1987 debut release of "Scream Bloody Gore". The album release would be very influential alongside with Possessed's album "Seven Churches." Chuck Schuldiner was the sole consistent member of Death and is regarded as the father of death metal by the extreme metal community. This is because of his contributions and albums that would continue to influence the genre and other bands. Chuck as a musician evolved, and the later Death albums would reflect that. Chuck would take on a more philosophical message in the lyrics about controversies. Chuck sadly passed away in 2001 from pneumonia after being weakened by brain cancer. Here are what I think are Death's best 10 songs.
10. Left to Die- Leprosy (1988)
This is one of my favorite songs from the Leprosy album because it was this album that introduced me to Death. The song talks about war and describes how soldiers would perish in war.
9. Pull The Plug- Leprosy (1988)
A message about Chuck's view regarding euthanasia. He sings how they are being kept alive by a machine but they don't want to live being kept by a machine.
8. Suicide Machine- Human (1990)
Another song about euthanasia. This time it talks about how when those who want to die peacefully are unable because people don't respect their choice and instead make the choice for them. They keep them hooked up and decide their fate as they continue their suffering.
7. Trapped In A Corner- Individual Thought Patterns (1995)
The song is about those who make it their mission to bring down others in an attempt to destroy their dreams. However, they'll eventually fall and be destroyed.
6. Perennial Quest- Human (1990)
A song about your journey to make your dreams come true. We begin the journey not knowing what we want to be or what you want to be. You have to leave those who are going to hold you back behind as you have those who are with you and support you on your journey. To go on as we have no limits to succeed, just have the passion and hunger to make it.
5. Lack Of Comprehension- Human (1990)
For the ones who bully others and drive them to depression and into suicide. The bullies are people who have problems but refuse to say they do and enjoy tormenting others and when their victims end their life, they deny they had any involvement. They do this to make themselves feel good.
4. Within The Mind- Spiritual Healing (1990)
The meaning of the song is to believe in yourself and your ability to succeed. Look at the wrongs and use them to gain wisdom. Only you can decide what you want to be.
3. Spirit Crusher-Sound of Perseverance (1998)
This is one of my favorite songs from Death. Spirit Crusher is about people who seek to bring down others in an attempt to crush their dreams.
2. Crystal Mountain- Symbolic (1995)
Crystal Mountain is a song about religion and how the people who are overly religious constantly criticize and judge you based on their religious beliefs.
1. Symbolic- Symbolic (1995)
Symbolic is a reflection on growing up, describing it as something that we don't realize that we lose our innocence. For that reason, we should appreciate our childhood.
Regardless, if you dislike them I hope you at least give it a listen, to hear the message Chuck wanted to spread.
