The albums that define
death metal.
Our picks for where to start with death metal — with a one-line read on why each one matters.
Top death metal artists
Start with one of these.
The death metal essentials
Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.
Sepultura
Schizophrenia
A relentless exploration of chaos where thrash metal meets haunting melodies and intricate rhythms.
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Celtic Frost
Into the Pandemonium
A chaotic blend of avant-garde metal and experimental sounds, pushing boundaries with haunting melodies and aggressive riffs.
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Hypnos
Rabble Manifesto
Brutal riffs and guttural growls intertwine with atmospheric interludes, creating a visceral exploration of chaos and decay.
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Babymetal
Metal Forth
A frenetic blend of J-pop melodies and heavy metal riffs, infused with playful energy and theatricality.
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Babymetal
Legend – Metal Galaxy
An explosive fusion of J-pop and metal, merging melodic hooks with relentless riffs and theatrical performances.
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Fear Factory
Soul of a New Machine
A punishing blend of industrial textures and death metal fury, driven by machine-like precision and dystopian themes.
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Fear Factory
Fear Is the Mindkiller
A relentless blend of industrial rhythms and aggressive metal riffs, creating an oppressive yet hypnotic atmosphere.
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Immortal
At the Heart of Winter
Epic and frostbitten soundscapes intertwine with relentless rhythms, creating an atmosphere of haunting grandeur.
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Immortal
Battles in the North
Fierce tremolo picking and atmospheric keyboards forge a chilling, relentless soundscape drenched in icy melancholy.
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Sepultura
Roorback
A relentless fusion of aggressive rhythms and intricate melodies that showcases Sepultura's evolution in sound.
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Obituary
Frozen Alive
A relentless barrage of guttural growls and bone-crushing riffs shape this quintessential death metal experience.
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Obituary
Xecutioner's Return
Brutal riffs and guttural vocals collide in a relentless assault that defines modern death metal.
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Cannibal Corpse
Chaos Horrific
Brutal riffs collide with guttural vocals, creating an unrelenting sonic assault that defines modern death metal.
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Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse
Unrelenting blasts of guttural vocals and frenetic guitar riffs create a visceral experience of horror-themed extremity.
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Opeth
Sorceress
A lush tapestry of progressive melodies intertwined with heavy, intricate riffs and haunting vocals.
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Opeth
The Candlelight Years
A haunting blend of progressive metal and death metal, steeped in atmospheric melancholy and intricate compositions.
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Krisiun
Forged in Fury (Krisiun Album)
Relentless death metal aggression collides with intricate melodies and dark thematic elements throughout the album's runtime.
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Krisiun
Works of Carnage
Relentless blast beats and guttural screams intertwine with intricate riffs, creating a ferocious death metal assault.
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Kataklysm
In the Arms of Devastation
Brutal riffs collide with melodic undertones, creating a powerful death metal landscape of despair and resilience.
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Kataklysm
The Mystical Gate of Reincarnation
A relentless barrage of intricate riffs and guttural vocals that evoke a dark, mystical atmosphere.
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Necrophobic
The Third Antichrist
A relentless barrage of dark melodies and fierce rhythms embodying the essence of Swedish blackened death metal.
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Necrophobic
The Nocturnal Silence
A haunting blend of black and death metal, steeped in atmospheric darkness and occult themes.
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Runemagick
On Funeral Wings
A haunting blend of death and doom metal, enveloped in atmospheric heaviness and cryptic themes.
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Runemagick
Resurrection in Blood
A relentless assault of dark, atmospheric death metal infused with doom-laden melodies and hauntingly cryptic themes.
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