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

The best Death Metal band, but also one of the best bands in the history of Metal.

Chuck Schuldiner = Godfather of Death Metal - V4noM

Such a brutal band, with great songs like Devoured by Vermin, Hammer Smashed Face, A Skull Full of Maggots, et cetera. Truly one of the most influential death metal bands out there.

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.

BEST BAND ON EARTH

Death is prog not really death metal

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.

Should be #2.

CoB 17percent, In Flames 10percent and Morbid Angel 6percent are on crack dudes? Or you have not taste in music?

It doesn't matter that death or possessed would be considered first ever death metal band. Their rank should not be bumped up due to that. What matters is how good the band is and morbid angel wins for me.

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!

Opeth were more of a Prog. Death Metal band but it doesn't matter because they're simply too good and must feature in every death metal related lists.

Why the hell are they on this list? They're wayyy too good to be on here.

I think I want to listen to them. What is a good song to start with? - Userguy44

Hey, I'm here...i'm an Opeth expert. Message me I guide you through the right path in exploring them..Trust me, this path will be a great journey. - Vip3r

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.

No band can touch Carcass when it comes to riffs

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

A very innovative and progressive death metal band

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

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

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

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!

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!

Mh.. CoB is technically Melodic Death Metal, but it's so far away from actual Death Metal that I wouldn't even put this on the list. Don't get me wrong, I really like their music (esp. the first 4 albums), but it doesn't really fit here.

CoB's music is basically Power Metal with harsh vocals, and the vocals aren't even Death growls. I think it's fine to categorise them as Melodeath band, since Melodeath nowadays is very broadly used anyway. But when viewing it that way, one must also admit that Melodeath isn't a subgenre of Death Metal, but a very seperate genre then.

So yeah: Either CoB is Melodic Death, but then Melodeath and Death Metal are seperate genres (with little overlap). OR Melodeath for you is a subgenre of Death, but then CoB isn't Melodeath. Either way this band doesn't belong here in my opinion. - quantumtea

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!

GREAT DEATH METAL BAND. OBITUARY RULES! AMAZING BAND!

What is wrong obituary deserves number 2 lets put it there!

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.

Old school death metal at it's finest. I still cannot believe that they are not in the top5.

All opinions aside, Suffocation basically created "technical death metal" with their EP "Human Waste" and debut album "Effigy of the Forgotten," 1990 and 1991 respectively. Absolutely absurd that Children of Bodom or Amon Amarth could possibly be in top 10, but no Suffocation.

The correct top 10 list should include: Death, Morbid Angel, Cannibal Corpse, Suffocation, Cryptopsy, Nile, and Deicide. Any top 10 without them is incorrect.

This band and Cannibal Corpse are my favorite death metal bands of all time!

What! Suffocation should be in top 3... Nothing is more death metal than this band..
Amon amarth? Children of bodom? Yes I like that band.. But in the terms of death metal, maybe not

Needs at least to be In the top 5

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.

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.

Easily first. If you look at my lists long enough, I have made a fair few lists about them - gemcloben

Labeled as:

Groove Metal
Thrash Metal
Death Metal
Alternative Metal
Black Metal (Early)

They even made some Nu Metal songs. But they aren't labeled as Nu Metal. One of their labeled genres Is Alternative Metal. Which Is the closest they are to Nu Metal. - MegadethFan07

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

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

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.

These guys are INSANELY talented, and their vocalist Travis Ryan is about one of the most diverse and talented death metal vocalists out there

My all time favorite. Travis Ryan can do it all! A great death growl, high pitched gutturals, deep slam growls, everything. Great lyrics, energy, just an all around great band. - ryanrimmel

There lyrics is what wins for me. They know how cruel humans really are. From butchering, to animal cruelty, to homophobes. they know it all.

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

Death the eternal sunshine

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

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

Created the death metal subgenre known as

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

Frankly the only Death metal band that makes me want to explore deeper into the realms of death metal.

Bloodbath Nightmares Made Flesh is a Masterpiece, go listen to it, it really worth! m/

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.

Pure gem!

Vastly underrated. - Diplomate

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

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.

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

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

The best Polish Death metal band. I have listened to every record and none is poor.

Should be in top 5

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

Awesome band. Great live. They need to put out a new album!

They are heavy without being edgelords

The heaviest band of all

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

Out of all the Death Metal Bands I'm hearing these days GOJIRA gives me that Brutal Death Feeling. Gojira is Fresh Superheavy, and The Best for me!

Hella brutal sound - AdamDestructorJr.

Must be in top 15, should replace Chidren Of Bodom - Fahrezi

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.

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

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.

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!

Small's guitar licks backed by Beller's bass lines, supported by Hoglan's unequaled double/speed-bass drumming is better than most if not all other bands I've heard.

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

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

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.

They are awesome! Just listen "The Red In The Sky Is Ours", one of the best death metal alboms ever.

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

Awesome band heavy guitars vocals are amazing give this band a chance

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

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!

In Flames we trust /m/

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/

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

Should be higher up, great band

Saw them live & they played an insane show, amazing hard hitting metal, in my top 10 death metal bands easily.

Dying Fetus is just amazing. Fast, complex riffs, excellent aggression, perfect song structuring and layering, intense buildups, perfect balance of technicality and brutality, and just all around excellent musicianship. Stunned that Opeth, Meshuggah, In Flames, and Children Of Bodom are higher on the list than Dying Fetus... those bands aren't even death metal (Progressive Rock, Metal, Rock, and Speed Metal respectively). laugh out loud wow after the children are off to bed, the adults will put on the real music - AeturnalNarcosis

110th wow, I'd have thought dying fetus would be top 50 at least, but each to their own. Love this band; bone crushing and inspiring riffs that somehow seems to always make you move, and John Gallagher is one hell of a vocalist, some songs I think stand out: the blood of power, second skin, subjected to a beating, ethos of corceon, homicidal retribution.. So many songs.. I think over the years they have grown as a band, one of my favorite death metal bands

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!

One of the greatest death metal bands

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

Decapitated just knows how to write great death metal!

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.

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

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

The Best

They're good. - Metalhead1997

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

76 is shocking for a band as great as pestilence

Spheres, consuming impulse does one have to say more

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

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!

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!

Sound great when there live
Really good beats
And vocals and guitar riffs are perfect

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

The most underrated band in the whole scene. Their devotion to their craft is admirable and rarely seen

Really underrated. - asdsees

What the hell they should be at least top20

Great band, they are brilliant - Metal_Treasure

Duude u gotta check this guy out! Their album king is nothing but a masterpiece

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

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.

They have very progressive death metal

Arch enemy shouldn't be this far down, they are the reason I got into death metal in the first place

Personally think Children Of Bodom is best, but Arch Enemy's stuff comes a very close second. Michael and Christopher's guitar skills are incredible, along with Daniel's drumming and Sharlee's bass (not heard too much under the other instruments, but amazing when you do hear it). Not to mention Angela's vocals (more brutal than many male vocalists).

(Also, We Will Rise isn't a great Arch Enemy song in my opinion. I prefer their heavier stuff like The Last Enemy and My Apocalypse) - Porcupine

This band is just amazing with a female vocalist and what a song it produces you can just see a song like WE WILL RISE