Death Songs Ranked
Death was an American death metal band from Altamonte Springs, Florida, founded in 1984 by guitarist and vocalist Chuck Schuldiner. Death is considered to be among the most influential bands in heavy metal and a pioneering force in the extreme metal subgenre of death metal. Their debut album, Scream Bloody Gore, has been widely regarded as the first death metal record (although there is some dispute to that claim as Possessed’s debut album Seven Churches and Necrophagia’s debut album Season of the Dead was released before). Death had a revolving lineup, with Schuldiner being the sole consistent member. The group’s style also progressed, from the raw sound on its first two albums to a more sophisticated one in its later stage. The band ceased to exist after Schuldiner died of glioma and pneumonia in December 2001 but remains an enduring influence on heavy metal. Here are all of the Death songs ranked.
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20. Evil Dead (Scream Bloody Gore, 1987)
“The beginning is beautiful and spooky at the same time. The guitar is just out of this world. This is a masterpiece. Maybe the best off Scream Bloody Gore (with the exception of Zombie Ritual) it absolutely kills and the guitar at the beginning is on a spiritual level”
19. Zero Tolerance (Symbolic, 1995)
“This should be in the top 5 AT LEAST – has a sick drum intro from Hoglan as well as the main guitar riff! Maybe one of the most underrated death’s songs!”
18. Scavenger of Human Sorrow (The Sound of Perseverance, 1998)
“Amazing drumming, groovy bass, and face-melting guitar work! Chuck in his finest hour! Complex, fast heavy, and meaningful, Chuck Schuldiner at his absolute best!”
17. Suicide Machine (Spiritual Healing, 1990)
“This song has everything! Story! The guitar is superb! The voice is superb! The music composing is just extraordinary! I love this song”
See more: Death Albums Ranked
16. Killing Spree (Spiritual Healing, 1990)
“My current favourite Death song. The riffs and the vocals here have to be some of the greatest from the band, particularly from Chuck Schuldiner himself.”
15. 1,000 Eyes (Symbolic, 1995)
“One of death’s most philosophical songs, I love it. Amazing riffs, amazing solos, amazing song! Love the guitar riff in the first verse!”
14. Leprosy (Leprosy, 1988)
“The ending solo and outro brings me to tears knowing that Chuck is gone. One of the most chilling songs in their repertoire!”
13. Perennial Quest (Symbolic, 1995)
“A beautifully philosophical song, incredible solo, and a gut wrenching outro. The perfect track to end any album, and my personal favourite song of all time. One of the most epic/badass solos, and one of the most beautiful outros I have ever heard. My favorite by them.”
12. Spiritual Healing (Spiritual Healing, 1990)
“Such a great piece full of killer riffs and crushing moments. Vocals were outstanding at the mid-section especially, that moment wherein the song gets atmospheric and eerie all of a sudden with Chuck growling “Spirituaaal Heaaling”.”
11. Without Judgement (Symbolic, 1995)
“Perfect in every way. When I listen to it, my mind travels to a deep and far away place where no earthly problems matter. At 1:10 Chuck growls “when pain is acknowledged! ” and what follows is the best riff/drumming I’ve heard. EVER”
10. Symbolic (Symbolic, 1995)
“Very underrated song on the list. Must be higher.You’ll never forget the intro and “symbolic acts” riff. Unbelievable riffs, drumming and vocals.”
9. Zombie Ritual (Scream Bloody Gore, 1987)
“In my opinion, the best death metal song, the part after Chuck screams “Now you’re in HELL” is a complete hell! This the best death metal song ever should be on top cleared by miles!”
8. The Philosopher (Individual Thought Patterns, 1993)
“The Philosopher is, I think, the signature song of Death. Great Schuldiner vocals, great guitar riffs and solo and yes the drumming and the bass solo are very skillful and deadly.”
7. Pull the Plug (Leprosy, 1988)
“Death have so many amazing songs it’s impossible to pick a favourite. Chuck was a musical genius. Scary, brutal, hard and fast. Best Death song ever.”
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6. Empty Words (Symbolic, 1995)
“This song is simply the best song ever made by a death metal band in my opinion. Epic intro, epic solo, chuck’s voice, everything is perfect! It’s so beautifully depressing. Their defining masterpiece in my opinion.”
5. Spirit Crusher (The Sound of Perseverance, 1998)
“First song that introduced me to death and first death song I learnt on guitar. I’m not a fan of death metal vocals but the guitar work in this song just got me hooked. The riff after the breakdown is one of the best riffs of all time in my opinion and made me want to learn this on my guitar”
4. Voice of the Soul (The Sound of Perseverance, 1998)
“Really, all Death songs are amazing, as far as the songs I know at least. I can vote every single track on this list but I will try to make this song take the lead. Songs may tell you a story brothers, even some great songs can make you fell it but this? This makes you live. This song will make you live inside its brute sorrow.”
3. Lack of Comprehension (Human, 1991)
“The best Death line up ever has shown in this song! a acoustic intro followed by killer riffs, melodic solos, and rhythmic drums. Of course this procedure seems to be the formula for good death songs, but Lack Of Comprehension created this formula!”
2. Flesh and the Power It Holds (The Sound of Perseverance, 1998)
“This song not only is prog/death but also it has very true feelings, it can almost bring you to tears sometimes. Absolute progressive/technical death metal masterpiece. Insane riff variety and a killer solo to boot.”
1. Crystal Mountain (Symbolic, 1995)
“By far one of he best death metal tracks ever to be made! The acoustic guitar that comes in at the end gives my goosebumps every time there’s so many perfect moments during this song. You can really tell that every member put a lot into it”