The metal underground has given metalheads a smorgasbord of quality bands to discover, bands that exist on the fringe of popular heavy music. The more impassioned metalheads are never satisfied, though. We’re always looking for new stuff to listen to. This begs the question – what lies beneath the underground? With this article, I hope to answer that question, if only partially. Today, I’ll be spotlighting some of the best death metal bands you haven’t heard (five, to be exact). Hopefully, you have heard of these bands.
Anata – If you’re like me, you’re big on melodic, technical death metal (Death, Pestilence, Atheist, etc.). Anata draws heavily from the progenitors of progressive extreme metal. While perusing the band’s catalogue, you’ll pick up on Schuldiner vibes, but this isn’t a mere “retro” act. Anata sounds modern and refreshing. The inclusion of blastbeats brings everything up to speed (pun intended). It’s important to note that melody is never forsaken for brutality. In fact, songs like “Entropy Within” and “Better Grieved Than Fooled” are downright catchy. Best album for first-time listeners…2004’s Under a Stone With No Inscription.
Demolition Hammer – In the late 80’s/early 90’s, thrash metal was beginning to taper off. It wasn’t “cool” anymore. Groove metal became fashionable, and most of the pioneers of thrash either drastically changed their sound or disbanded altogether. But under the warped rubble of a sapped movement, a handful of young groups kept speed metal alive. Demolition Hammer was one of those bands. I’m listing them because they would certainly appeal to death heads. They sounded like a cross between Kreator and Leprosy-era Death. Unfortunately, they broke up after three albums, the third of which acquiesced to rising trends. The first two DH efforts, however, deserve several spins. Best album for first-time listeners…1989’s Tortured Existence.
Baphomet – I’m honestly surprised that these guys never amassed a cult following. This New York-bred, corpse-crushing quartet raged out of the gates with one of the more memorable debut albums of the early 90’s. 1992’s The Dead Shall Inherit is a lurching beast brimming with grinding riffs, spooky keyboards, and guttural growls. The vocals are quite exceptional, considering the year this record was released. Baphomet changed their name to Banished and released one more album before calling it a day. The follow-up was a bit of a letdown. ‘Tis a shame. The debut showed so much potential. Nevertheless, fans of old-school death metal should seek out The Dead Shall Inherit.
Diabolic – Ah, Floridian death metal. There is nothing quite like it. Any bands that hail from Tampa are bound to be pure, unadulterated mercenaries waving the metal flag high. Diabolic is one of those bands, but they have managed to slip under the radar. Maybe it’s because they arrived late on the scene. It’s certainly not because they are lesser musicians. Diabolic sounds like a demonic fusion of Deicide and Cannibal Corpse. They may not bring anything new to the table, but they do what they do very well. If you’re a first-time listener, any of their albums would be a fair introduction. I’m partial to 2001’s Subterraneal Magnitude myself, although I’ve most recently enjoyed 2003’s blistering Infinity Through Purification. You can’t go wrong either way.
Carnage – You’ve probably heard of this band if you’re a Swedish death metal scholar. Michael (Carcass, Arch Enemy) Amott and Johan (ex-Arch Enemy) Liiva formed Carnage in 1988. Ironically, Liiva jumped ship before the band recorded 1990’s Dark Recollections, an influential, wide-reaching album that was condemned to obscurity before it even had a chance to infect the masses. You see, Carnage broke up before the record was released! Every dark cloud has a silver lining, though. The members of Carnage would go on to form Dismember and Arch Enemy, a couple of bands who are anything but obscure to metalheads. What does the music sound like? Primitive, pummeling Swedish death metal with buzzsaw guitars and a neck-snapping rhythm section. Needless to say, Dark Recollections kicks all kinds of ass.
Obviously, there are countless death metal bands that could have been included in this article. I tried to select a diverse assemblage of bands. I encourage you to devise your own list because it will inspire you to comb through the Internet to find cool music that you aren’t familiar with. Be sure to bookmark this page, as I will be writing about obscure thrash bands in the next week or so.
