Best Death Metal Bands

My favorite band of pure death metal (I mean that is just death metal and not a death metal sub-genre)... Chuck had one of the best guttural voices ever.
R.I.P CHUCK SCHULDINER - rock2metal

Only the first 3 albums were pure Death Metal. The last 4 albums are Progressive Death Metal. - Juli

DEATH is number 1 and always will be the best band
RIP chuck
Amon Amarth is over rated, children of bodom isn't death metal or is it children of boredom. Some of best death bands are death, morbid angel, cancer, massacre, autopsy, deicide, obituary, cc, suffocation, unleashed, grave, dismember, bloodbath, carcass, asphyx, demonical, monstrosity, disincarnate, malevolent creation, the old schools the best and majority r from Florida where it all started with death

One of the most influential metal band.
Best guitar riffs ever, amazing solos, complex lyrics, brutal songs, and progressive elements - this is the Death.
R.I.P Chuck Schuldiner, you live ever in the music history.

No one. Absolutely no one has or can top Death. The raw talent behind every musician Chuck had behind him was unmatched (in teems of technicality and precision). Chuck went from brutal gore filled topics about hell, guts, murder and anything death on a gore sense to philosophical and in depth topics surrounding death and other dark topics not many musicians would touch at the time. He was a master guitarist and diverse vocalist going from low growls to high screams between the first and last album. Many other bands focus on the brutal gorey aspects of metal just for the sake of it. Chuck added it because it was a part of his fictional world and he always evolved making each album different whilst maintaining his signature sound. Not a single bad or decent album by Death. All 8/10 to 10/10 essentials to getting into true death metal. R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner and forever Death!

I understand why Death are first (I mean, they pretty much invented the Death Metal) but, let us be honest: Cannibal Corpse were the band that truly took the meaning of Death Metal and brought it up to a whole new level. Brutal blast beats, amazing vocal performances by both Barnes and Corpsegrinder and also some of the greatest artwork, riffs, albums, songs and even album/song names ever (F***** With A Knife, Hammer Smashed Face, Raped By The Beast and Make Them Suffer are amazing song names). This is why CC should be first. Death created the genre but Cannibal Corpse took it even further and is much more of an inspiration for the newer DM bands than Death.

Hell no, Cannibal Corpse's music is just as repulsive as their album covers. - RiverVibeZ

Hammer smashed face, make them suffer are the real death metal songs. The real brutality, hate, violence is cannibal corpse. The slasher lyrics is like AHH!

Cannibal Corpse is one of the greatest Death Metal bands in history of Death Metals.

Personal opinion:
1) Morbid Angel
2) Suffocation
3) Incantation (deserve a lot more attention)
4) Autopsy
5) Immolation
6) Death
7) Abhorrence
8) Pestilence
9) Obituary
10) Disembowelment - Arhaan95

Morbid angel should be at least #2... They have made this genre. Actually death was first true death metal band.. But MA's contribution cannot be ignored.

1) Morbid Angel
2) Carcass
Might throw a little Napalm Death and Behemoth in it.

Morbid angel has always been a dam good band one of the leaders in the industry

They're more of a progressive metal than death metal band, but their death metal songs are good. - RiverVibeZ

Mostly Prog Rock but they do have some good Death Metal songs too. - DarkBoi-X

Michael Akerfeldt is the number one death metal singer, and Opeth is simply amazing. Progressively Opeth wipes the floor with all these other death metal bands. Michael Akerfeldt also wipes the floor with all the other death metal singers. Number 1!

No one could create such a melody within the Death Metal genre like Mikael ever, and I can bet none will be able to create in future...
Please listen to 'Black Rose Immortal' before you vote any other band.
- Nord666

Songs like Ghost of Perdition and The Moor are honestly better choices to wow someone with Opeth, at least in my opinion - kempokid

One of the most versatile Death metal bands. Jeff Walker's vocals are truly among the best in the business, and Bill Steer can pull off some amazing riffs and solos. Everybody in this band is a great musician and they really put their skills to good use. Carcass can be brutal, melodic and very technical at the same time.
This band was on the forefront of both grindcore and melodic death metal - and that is truly an accomplishment. Also - they are not dumb jackasses like some others and are actually cool people.

Genre classics (chronologically):
Vomited Anal Tract
Exhume to Consume
Embryonic Necropsy and Devourment
Corporal Jigsore Quandary
Incarnated Solvent Abuse
Buried Dreams
Heartwork
Tomorrow Belongs To Nobody
Cadaver Pouch Conveyor System

... And all of their albums are very distinct and different from each other, yet it's easy to tell it's still Carcass. Classic Carcass. - Moonchild

This band has everything, whether you like grindcore, melodic death metal, death 'n roll, or just straight up death metal, they have it! They're the band that got me into death metal, and they'll always be my favourite

Carcass is definitely in the top 3

Personally I wouldve chosen either Death or Cannibal Corpse but Carcass also needs some love! You just can't forget about them!

Amon Amarth rules... One of my fave bands and they definitely deserve to be higher up this list!

Awesome songs with awesome riffs. And the viking's feel to the music is unique and takes you to the great battles that must have been fought in those ages! Can't get tired of listening to them!

Absolutely the best out there! Amon amarth is established band playing over 20 years and they know how to make best riffs ever.. Johan is natural born singer, drummer and his doubekick - rarely you hear that speed and all of it is glued with fantastic lyrics which brings you to old era of vikings - I believe that this band is playing n future at every home over Xmas.. Well my house is full of Amon Amarth! Spread the word, valhalla awaits us all!

I am not a Death Metal fan, yet I ironically find myself enjoying this band quite recently. I like their balance between aggression and melody and their vocalist's growls are actually quite natural for the band's content, which is a pretty good thing. That, and that this band is accessible enough is a bonus point too. They're overall a kickass band I could go back on. - CrimsonShark

Karl Sanders and Dallas Toler-Wade form one of the best guitar duos of all music genres. Combined with Kollias' inconceivable drumming technique and speed, as well as with all of their interest and unquestionable knowledge in the Egyptian lore and mythology, Nile is one of the greatest metal bands of all time and quite frankly the best death metal act. Their live performances and their studio recordings are some of the best I've ever seen in terms of quality, musically as well as overall performances. - Cyrax

Brutal, nerve trampling metal. Insanely precise. Probably the best overall group both in technique and creativity. Also, I think the production and sound quality of Nile has no match in the genre.

Listen to Cast Down the Heretic or What Can Be Safely Written and tell me this band isn't the epitome of brutality...

Sepultura is thrash and nile is awesome DEATH METAL! Should not be in in 1st place but should be in top 10.

I like this band. They have a nice melodic sound and are very talented. - RiverVibeZ

Children of Bodom honestly has some of the most complex melodies in each instrument, every one of their band members are amazing at what they do, not just Alexi, even though he's the most famous. They totally deserve to be number one because everything they make sounds AMAZING!

Man that's the best death metal band ever! I mean I heard every time I die 25 times in a row still it does not get old its so awesome! The music the lyrics and everything in the song is so awesome its the best death metal song I'v ever heard!

This band is my favorite death metal band! But my judgement is not bias and clouded. This band plays exceptional masterpiece! They are like hi breed death metal bands, their solos are one of the best! They may not be the most brutal or fierce but they sure ire things and and let headbangers bang! Listen to mask of sanity, evereytime I die, warheart, follow the reaper. It never gets old!

Honestly cannot believe that Obituary isn't at least in the top 10. They are one of the most badass old school death metal bands ever. Along with Death, Morbid Angel, and Malevolent creation they practically created death metal. Go listen to Cause of Death and Slowly We Rot and then tell me that Obituary doesn't deserve to be at least in the top 10.

Not only is this my favourite Death Metla band, but also my favourite band ever. - Shyrtex

Number one in my mind. No-one sounds like John and their pounding grooves are second to none. Many other bands sound close to the same, but these guys are as original as Death and Sepultura, they deserve to be at least in the top 3.

There are very few death metals whose sound a non-death metal fanatic could distinguish from the herd within seconds. Obituary is one of them.

They are a one-trick pony, no doubt -- but it's a damned good trick.

Also, they sound BETTER live than they do on their records, which is really saying something in this age of live mediocrity.

Finally, unlike most death metal bands, Obituary makes music that is hooky, catchy, approachable, and focuses on solid grooves instead of speed and technicality only for the sake of speed and technicality.

I don't really like Death metal but I have to vote for them as they are at #13 only. They were truly the first. - JoLeKosovo

Seven Churches! No comments! The Best ever!

They either need to be #1 or tied with Death for #1. They coined the phrase "death metal" with the song of the same name.

Possessed made death metal; Death just enhanced it.

They are everything a Death Metal band should be. They have created lot of controversy and they are Anti-christ... And most importantly, they are also considered as one of the forerunners of the Death Metal scene of '80s. - Nord666

should be higher on the list, just listen to 'homage for satan' and 'scars of the crucifix' for some great death metal - metal666slut

This band truly deserves the 2nd place. Deicide is the purest form of Death Metal. I say this band is STILL pretty much underrated.

Deicide holds the record for having the 2nd and 3rd best selling death metal albums. Deicide along with bands like Death and Morbid Angel are very definitive in terms of their genre. Glen Benton is a really a death meta legend and has the most brutal and fast vocals in death metal. I don't get it how these overrated melodic bands like In Flames, cob and amon amarth are above the legendary Deicide and Morbid Angel.

Not exactly a death metal band (they're blackened death metal to be exact), but from the few songs I've heard, they seem like a cool band. - RiverVibeZ

They have a special place in my heart because they got me into death metal

Mind boggling death... Just pure blood... Wow I love behemoth... Behemoth rules

Even though Behemoth is not originally a death metal band. They have great atmosphere in their music, and also has death metal influence in their songs. Also their lyrics is very dark and morbid, powerful and strong.

That's unique and Suicmez is a moster, the band that other bands try to mimic

How is Necrophagist so damn low? This band's intricate riffs and beats are technically (pun intended) the best I have ever heard. The vocals are nice, the insturmentals are amazing, and no band has ever done or been able to do what they did. We do need that new album, though...

My latest discovery. Necrophagist is one of the coolest tech-death bands I've heard. Easily one of my new favorites - ryanrimmel

Necrophagist is amazing! I wish they would be a little faster with the releases, but you can't rush perfection!

I mean, come on. Music by Cattle Decapitation is utterly amazing. They blend the intensity of Grindcore and the brutality of Death metal- then add in melody (as of late)! One thing that keeps people away from this band are their lyrics, but those people are utterly stupid. If everyone thought like them The Anthropocene Extinction (intentional reference) wouldn't be a reality. And of course, there is Travis Ryan, delivering his controlled burps and nasty gutturals into the mic, along with nasty shrieks and melodic screams. Their guitars and Bass deliver an awesome sonic attack of technicality and brutality, and their drummer blast beats his way to stardom. Long live the kings of Metal!

Extremely brutal with some unbelievable musicianship and also beautiful melodies. The new album Death Atlas may be one of the greatest death metal albums of all time

Watch the video for Forced Gender Reassignment. I dare all of you.

I've gotta say, these guys are perfect matches for each other. They know what to put where and even their lyrics are some of the most meaningful lyrics to ever exist. It shows things from animal cruelty all the way to how stupid people of religion can be (doesn't mean I'm not religious.) And Travis is probably the most talented vocalist I've ever heard. All the way from shrill black metal screeches to raspy cleans to melodic and ear-shattering screams then to a signature low mid that normally drops somewhere in the song all the way to the pits of hell in how low it gets.

I listened to Death Metal for years and believe me, this band is monster. I have never heard such brutality and seen such talent. In my opinion they dominate in this genre. Mikael mutilated, Peter devoured and Nick grinded. They are the perfect Death Metal band... Not growling unrecognizable like Brutal Death Metal bands and not growling too weak. This is and always will be my favourite band.

The new Bloodbath album The Arrow of Satan is the best of the lot period, Nick seems more relaxed with his vocals not forcing or trying to be like previous vocalist, everything gels together in a crushing but beautifully executed fashion, and the riffs are some of the heaviest iv ever heard on any heavy metal album, 10/10

Death metal supergroup! What's not to like? These guys can duplicate any school of the genre. They manage to bring out the best parts of all the classic scenes, being it Florida or Sweden. Their latest (last? ) album, "Fathomless mastery", is possibly the greatest death metal album to date.

Listen to the song EATEN by this band people and you will definitely see why I have voted for this band. Be it lyrics, vocal or the music, this band is the most influential band ever.

You have to give them props. Death Metal would be nothing more then an asterisk without innovators like Vader.

Without Vader we probably wouldn't have Decapitated or Behemoth. These guys defined the Polish death metal sound.

I would vote Opeth in this rank for sure, but after I have seen Vader so low on the list - man it's a shame that such band is not in top 5 or at least top 10. They are probably the only group in existence with ability to make Slayer song sound even more brutal. Most of their songs are masterpieces of brutality and perfection.

Great Death Metal Band from Poland. Return to the Morbid Reich is my favorite, along with their new single, Triumph of Death. They also did a great cover of Black Sabbath and Raining Blood

"Left hand path" is to Death Metal what Beatles "sgt Pepper..." is to pop music. This iconic band should definitely be top 5.

Fantastic band. Great riffs, great atmosphere, does not disappoint.

Created the death metal subgenre known as

Death the eternal sunshine

does someone want to explain me what are they doing down here? - Deathshield18

They are the heaviest band I ever listened to and at the same time they have meaningful lyrics.
They are the best band here

Proves that French people can still be awesome... Gojira has awesome music with a lot of subtleties that are lost in most death metal- listen to the songs Esoteric Surgery or Flying Whales or Wolf Down The Earth

Gojira is amazing, the songs that they have made are quite impressive. Should at least be in top 10.

I'm a huge Sepultura fan, but I never thought of them as death metal. I personally think their just thrash/groove metal. - ryanrimmel

I see them as a thrash metal band although they have some death metal songs

YEAH! IT'S GOOD BAND! I SWEAR TO YOU! THANK YOU SEPULTURA FOR ALL!
SECONDLY THE SONGS OF SEPULTURA HELPED ME IN EXAMS.
I'd like to set this song in my funeral)))

Lyrically they aren't death metal at all, death metal has stuff about murder, dead bodies, necro philia, and is just about anything morbid. But vocally during the max cavalera era they sounded like death metal I'm not so sure about now though because I've personally never listened to it because I love the cavalera era too much.

I think they were more of a thrash metal band (in the cavalera era) with some death metal influences, but I never saw them as death metal band. Nowadays it's some Nu Metal stuff, nothing to do with Death or Thrash even. - quantumtea

This is my ultimate old-school DM band - ThatMetalChick

23? Easily top 10 worthy, they're probably the only old skool death metal band that are still making quality music today. Severed Survival and Mental Funeral are two of the greatest death metal albums of all time, and they're still pumping out classics with Macabre Eternal, The Headless Ritual and Tourniquets, Hacksaws and Graves.

Severed survival and mental funeral is some of the best death metal albums ever

Easily top 10 material. Enjoy the riffs and vox very much. - IronSabbathPriest

This band had an incredibly unique sound and approach to death metal (both musically and lyrically), yet they don't have a whole lot of influence, which is quite sad. They also are one of the few bands that never put out a bad album. My two favorites from this band are Realm of Chaos and Those Once Loyal. - Caleb9000

Is there a band which sound and messages are quite different from others, this is Bolt Thrower they must be in first 10 places. that's for sure

Need to be I the top 10. If you don't think so then you just don't know death metal.

Underrated! One of the heaviest bands ever!

Phobophile are an amazing song and the cryptopsy album name cryptopsy are my favorite death metal album

Come on, COB and In Flames aren't even dm! Cryptopsy is insanely technical and brutal, but catchy at the same time. They deserve the top spot.

Hey you! Listen to cryptopsy! Why is children of bodom so high? They are good but not that good.

Way underrated lets see some more votes people only Canadian band I like

One of the most technical bands ever. Unquestionable Presence is easily one of the best death metal albums of all time

0,6% is very few for ATHEIST! These guys can play pure death metal.

Most technical instrument lines, and some of the most original songwriting

Atheist are cool, but they are barely death metal. In my eyes, they are a thrash metal band with some death metal elements thrown into it.

Wow their music gives me chills. No joke

They should be in second place after cannibal corpse! The real grindcore britanian band best ever...

Number 3 on the list the MIGHTY NAPALM DEATH but I can understand why they are so far down the list to all over the place music wise

Napalm Death are grindcore but regardless they are an amazing band and my favourite grindcore band! - Oliwally

This bands deserves much higher.. Definitely in my Top 5.

This band is awesome. They never make the same album twice, yet it always sounds good. How many other bands can do that?

Mine is the Grandeur of Melancholy of BURNING!

Love this band. Easily beats children of bodom.

THIS is more Death Metal than some Bands ahead. Lets vote it higher..

I just don't belive, this guys where shocking death metal band

76 is shocking for a band as great as pestilence

Are you for real? Pestilence at 63, COB in top 5?!

What the hell they should be at least top20

Great band, they are brilliant - Metal_Treasure

Yeah they are amazing, not death metal though.

Their legends, I can't believe they're so low on this list.

Can't believe they're not on here already.

Meshuggah should #1 on this list because they take jazz music and put it in there own deathly way which sounds so really good!

At The Gates may not be the most innovative or creative Death Metal band, but the perfection they bring to genre is mindblowing. Just listen to Blinded by Fear, Slaughter of the soul or The Swarm. Your outlook on Death Metal will never be the same. I will always place them in the top 10 of my favourite bands of all time. Deserves a top 5 spot anyday.

They are really sick! They have sutch great riffs and some very melodic riffs. The notes they play fits the ear just right. And same with the vocals.

"The Red in the Sky is Ours" is the best death metal album ever.

This band is what got me into death metal

I think this one's my favorite (next to the obvious "Death" choice). Incredibly heavy and ear-crushing death metal band with consistently high-quality album output. What else do you want? - quantumtea

It should be in top 5, here in after is one of the best albums ever

Immolation deserves a top ten spot much more than a few of the bands in the actual top ten. One of the earliest and one of the most creative bands in the genre, there is no one that sounds like them, and their lyrics are top-notch

Immolation being this low is an insult. They have been putting out masterful death metal of the highest quality for 20 years. - TomTheMetalhead

This Band is awesome! Kataklysm are Magic!

This band is amazing at what they do the guitar work is fierce and fast there astonishing and badasses give them a listen

Consistent Band! They can mix
Groove, Brutality ane Melody. My favorite band off this list.

Saw them live they are one of the best metal bands of all time not just of death metal.

One of the greatest death metal bands

My Favorite Death Metal Band by far. This should be in the top ten at least.

Guys come on musically they're incredible even though people dislike their newer stuff, its still very good honestly they're creating their own sound just like vader did there aren't many bands that sound like them!

Decapitated just knows how to write great death metal!

In Flames We Trust! If you are from Romania/moldova thumbs up!
In flames albums like the jester race, whoracle, colony or clayman are extreme. That is true melodic / death metal msic. I don't like as much the later albums like a sense of purpose or soapf which are alternative metal but there are very good(not as good as episode 666, jotun, embody the invisible or the jester race) songs in them that must be listed.

In Flames is the greatest band I have ever heard. Their melodies and timing shifts place them in a category above all other bands I have ever come across, in the metal genre or otherwise. I can't think of a single song on all 10 albums that is not amazing. Since I discovered them I cannot stop listening. The Jester Race might just be the best album ever.

Their newer stuff is crap, when they started to add in nu metal elements. Great band though, but other bands are better. Should be higher then sepulture/

These guys are amazing! They write incredible music and they also have badass riffs! The best (and the first) by far, death metal band ever!

This is a real treasure of Death Metal. Their sound is an awesome mix of old-school Death Metal and some kind of Melodic Death Metal.
They got fast, heavy blasting riffs and deep growls right from hell extremely well merged with some passages of euphonious melodies.
Some people call their very unique style "Brutal Melodic Death". In all this years I never heard a band playing like them, so definitely check them out! You'll miss something!
Listen to the song "Banquet in the Darkness", if you like more melody. Listen to "Agony in the stone chamber" for a heavier experience! - Juli

Insane band! Brutal and still melodic, not like the Gothenburg metal. - Flav

Come on they're the 7th largest economy in the world

They are just one of the best death metal bands that I have listened to. Melodic death metal to be precise. Brendan Small just kicks major ass on the guitar and the drumming by Gene Hoglan is mind boggling. The death growl presented by Small is unique and doesn't go with other death metal bands that you listen to. If you want to know what I mean, you just gotta listen to tracks like "I ejaculate fire", one of my absolute favorite

Dethklok are the BEST death metal band in the world, just watch the documentary on their band, Metalocalypse, no song beats Thunderhorse.

The genius of Dethklok is the same as the genius of great comedians; they have the ability to talk about real issues whilst using irony. Plus the riffs, solos and drumming are punishing!

One of the best death metal bands I've ever heard. Songs like Afterlife make this bad insanely good. Give the song afterlife a try! ,/

In my opinion, They are the most underrated death metal bands...But I'm kindda happy to see them in first 50

Skin the Living is the best death metal album of all time.

They're good. - Metalhead1997

One of the most under rated bands today.
Amazing vocals and guitar work. Great song writing and story telling.
While they only have 4 albums so far, I am looking forward to what they put out in the future.

An amazing band with more than just death scream. It's like a mix of death and prog rock that work so well together, without losing any intensity. - Xean45

This is the first tech death band I listened to and let me tell you now, everyone who has been in it is a musical genius, but luc lemey who is the founding member and lead guitar/vocalist, has a writing ability like no other, his infusion of classical style intros creates an eerie beginning to many of the songs and then he smashes through with a powerful and complex riff, and unlike many tech death metal bands, his riffs are still possible to follow along, I would say this is undoubtedly one of the top 5 greatest death metal bands for sure.

Obscura is one of the best albums ever made. Gorguts should be way higher on this list if not number 1

One of the bests, absolutley

How in the name of all that is unholy is GORGUTS sitting below The Black Dahlia Murder, Meshuggah, Dethklok (!?!? ), Gojira, In Flames, Opeth, and Children Of Bodom!?!

One of the best prog death metal bands, very underrated!

How are they this low? Are they not the most popular modern death metal band? Their new album Nightbringers is incredible, might even be better than Nocturnal. Everything Went Black and Deathmask Divine will always hold a special place in my heart, but Matriarch might have outdone them all. Extremely talented band that puts on a stellar live show as well

Even though they are melodic death are beasts surely have to be at top 5! Trevors vocals are awesome drumming are awesome guitars and bass too favorite band of mine and if you are talking about death metal you have to get in the list The Black Dahlia Murder

My stepmom used to date Brian their guitarist back when they first formed

These guys kick ass!

Amazing new melodetah with some of the best vocals I've heard. - TomTheMetalhead

Who says metal can't be an art form? Anyone who says that should listen to holographic universe by scar symmetry

AMAZING! Melodic Death metal band! M/

Outstanding vocals - both growled and clean.
Brilliant musicianship.
Beautiful melodies.

They should be bigger.

More Melodeath and progressive, but so amazing. Björn is a beadt

This band is really awesome!...I don't know where have this band been all my life... - nooreldeen

Wow I wish I discovered this band before. The symphonic and classical style arrangements really sound awesome with death metal added in. Probably my favourite behind Opeth.

Great band, they blend symphonies with tech death for an epic combination

Exceptional band, mind blowing, I must say that the symphony, orchestral and perfect metal songs makes them great - Ananya

How where they not on this list until now?

Because their not well known,

Very underrated. These guys were the definition of Death Metal. Not to mention, the keyboards are excellent in their sound. Although their latest album isn't so great, they're still the best.