Today marks ten years
since a brain tumour claimed the life of Death guitarist/vocalist, and
all-round death metal pioneer Chuck Schuldiner, at the age of 34. It’s fair to
say that his legacy and influence are stronger than ever, with countless up and
coming bands arguably inspired by Schuldiner’s ever evolving take on the style
he played a huge role in creating.
The recent reissues of
landmark Death albums ‘Human’ and ‘Individual Thought Patterns’ are living
proof that Death’s music has stood the test of time. I finally got round to
listening to the reissue of ‘Human’ just
a couple of weeks ago and not only does it sound as fresh as did when it was
released (and indeed, when I first heard it for myself around eight years ago),
but its so darn heavier than the majority of (death) metal (or what passes for
it) these days. Everything about Death’s Human-era line-up was firing on all
cylinders when that album was recorded. As Chuck steered death into a more
technical, progressive future, he also changed his approach and insisted on
recruiting session musicians, as opposed to being part of a full band as per
the first three Death albums. And in guitarist Paul Masvidal and drummer Sean
Reinert, both of cosmic progressive death metallers Cynic, he had two
candidates who were absolutely ideal for the role, while bassist extraordinaire
Steve DiGiorgio (of Sadus) completed the line-up. Such a line-up underlined
Chuck’s perfectionism, but Death wouldn’t be Death without Chuck’s attention to
detail.
‘Individual Thought Patterns’ continued Death’s progressive trend, again
enlisting DiGiorgio, and replacing the Cynic guys with Gene Hoglan on drums and
King Diamond’s legendary guitarist Andy LaRoque. Schuldiner further pushed the
boundaries of what could be done with death metal, throwing into jazzy bass
rhythms and supreme technicality than was more than ably performed by his
backing band, especially so by DiGiorgio. It even turned Hoglan into the in
demand name for numerous metal bands to call upon, such was the performance and
the album’s impact.
I’ve only put primary
focus on those albums given their recent reissuing. Death’s legacy reaches far
beyond these albums, of course; their entire discography reads essential, and is
full of classic metal anthems, namely ‘Zombie Ritual’ (from 1987’s ‘Scream
Bloody Gore’); and Crystal
Mountain (from 1995’s
‘Symbolic’) just to name a few. Add to that the numerous bands and musicians
who can count Death and Chuck Schuldiner as an influence and the evidence
speaks for itself. Chuck Schuldiner was a progressive visionary, a talented
genius and unconstrained by the boundaries which seem to shackle so many of
Death’s descendants today. 10 years on from his death, Chuck Schuldiner remains
death’s metal’s most important figurehead. Keep on rocking Chuck, wherever you
are.
Peter
Clegg
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