[[File:{{Infobox musical artist| Name = Death| Img = Death.jpg|thumbImg_capt = |Img_size = 250| Landscape = yes| Alias = Mantas| Genre = [[Death in the late 1990'smetal]],<ref name="Allmusic bio"/> [[technical death metal]], [[progressive metal]] (later)'''Death''' was a band founded in | Background = group_or_band| Origin = Orlando, Florida, United States| Years_active = 1983. The band's founder-1984 (as Mantas)<br>1984-2001| Label = [[Combat Records|Combat]], [[Relativity Records|Relativity]], [[Roadrunner Records|Roadrunner]], [[Nuclear Blast]], [[Relapse Records|Relapse]]| Associated_acts = [[Control Denied]], [[Autopsy]], [[Massacre]], [[Slaughter]], [[Cynic]], [[Voodoocult]], [[Obituary]], [[Sadus]], [[Chuck SchuldinerDark Angel]], is considered a "pioneering death metal vocalist[[Monstrosity]]| URL = [http://www.emptywords.org/guitaristwww." The band split up after Schuldiner died of brain cancer in 2001emptywords.org]| Past_members = [[#Band members|See below]]}}

'''Death''' was an American [[death metal]] band hailing from Orlando, Florida, founded in 1983 by guitarist and vocalist [[Chuck Schuldiner]]. Death is considered to be one of the most influential groups bands in heavy metal and a pioneering force in [[death metal]]. <!ref name=MTV>{{cite web|last=Mancini|first=Robert|title=Death Frontman Chuck Schuldiner Dies|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1451543/death-frontman-chuck-schuldiner-The band's dies.jhtml|publisher=MTV|date=December 18, 2001}}</ref> Its debutalbum, ''[[Scream Bloody Gore]]'', has been described widely regarded as "the first death metal's record,<ref>{{cite book|editor1-first=James|editor1-last=Sherry|editor2-first archetypal document". One music biographer has referred to Schuldiner as the "Father of Death =Neil|editor2-last=Aldis|title=Heavy Metal" Thunder|date=2006|publisher=Chronicle Books|location=San Francisco|isbn=0-8118-5353-5}}</ref> while another has claimed that the band's driving force, Chuck Schuldiner , is "readily acknowledged as the true founder originator of the U[[extreme metal]].S. death metal scene<ref name=", RIP magazine (accessed August 8, 2008) Music biographer Garry Sharpe-Young considers Death Allmusic bio"a genre breaking band centered upon front man Chuck Schuldiner" and that the band "would become one of the prime instigators of the death metal movement", (accessed August 8, 2008) However, Schuldiner dismissed such attributions by stating, in an interview with /><ref>{{cite web|last=Sutherland|first=John|title=The Blueprint For Modern Metal-Rules|url=http://www.emptywords.com, "I don’t think I should take the credits for this death metal stufforg/RIP_postITP. I’m just a guy from a htm|publisher=EmptyWords}}</ref> The band, and I think Death is a metal band".As ceased to exist after Schuldiner died of 2008brain cancer in December 2001, Death have sold over 1.5 million albums worldwide, with 368,184 copies sold in the US alone (excluding sales before the SoundScan era) making them one of the top-selling death but remains an enduring metal bandsbrand.

[[File:Chuck Schuldiner.jpg|thumb|233x233px|[[Chuck Schuldiner]], founder of Death.]] Founded in 1983 by [[Chuck Schuldiner]] under the original name moniker of Mantas in Orlando, Florida.<ref name="Allmusic bio">{{cite web|last=Rivadavia|first=Eduardo|title=Death were Biography|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/death-mn0000228323/biography|publisher=AllMusic}}</ref><ref name="EmptyWords">{{cite web|last=Grayson|first=Perry M.|title=Precious Memories of Chuck Schuldiner|url=http://www.emptywords.org/BANDPerryGrayson.htm|publisher=EmptyWords|date=April 11, 2002}}</ref> Death was among the more widely known, early pioneers of the death metal sound along with California's thrashers [[Possessed (band)|Possessed]]. In the late 80s, the band was both a part of and integral in defining the death metal scene which gained international recognition with the release of albums by a number of area acts.

Together with [[Kam Lee]] (Barney Kamalani Lee), and [[Rick Rozz]] (Frederick DeLillo), Schuldiner started to compose songs that were released on several rehearsal tapes in 1984. <ref name="Allmusic bio"/><ref name="EmptyWords"/> These tapes, along with the ''[[Death by Metal]]'' demo, circulated through the tape -trader world, quickly establishing the band's name. In 1984, Schuldiner dissolved Mantas and quickly started a new band under the name Death. Tim Aymar, in an article written in December 2010, states that Chuck Schuldiner renamed the band Death in order to turn his experience of the death of his brother Frank years earlier into "something positive".<ref>{{cite web|title=Tim Aymar Speaks Out|url=http://www.emptywords.org/EmptyWords12-2010.htm|publisher=Empty Words|date=December 2010}}</ref> Its members included the same Rick Rozz and Kam Lee. Another demo was released, called ''Reign of Terror.''.<ref name="EmptyWords"/>

In 1985, after the ''Infernal Death'' tape was recorded and released, Schuldiner fired Lee and . Rick Rozz in favor was out of [[Repulsion (the band)|Repulsion]]'s bassist and guitarist, by early 1985. Kam Lee played with Scott Carlson and Matt OlivioOlivo, bassist and guitarist respectively, of the band [[Repulsion]] for a short time. However, a drummer could not Kam had some "personal problems" that caused him to be found; consequently ejected from the band dissolved again. Olivo and Carlson left soon afterward.<ref name="EmptyWords"/> Schuldiner moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and recruited [[Dirty Rotten Imbeciles|DRI]] drummer Eric Brecht, but he then recorded the ''Back from the Dead'' demo. However, Chuck was not happy with this incarnation of Death and moved back to Florida without a band. There, in In 1986, Schuldiner got an invitation from early Canadian thrash band [[Slaughter (Canadian band)|Slaughter]] to play on their album, which he accepted, moving to Canada. This However, this only lasted two weeks, however, as and he found returned to the situation not to his likingStates. He returned to Florida, then moved quickly back to the San Francisco Bay Area again, where he joined with 17-year-old drummer [[Chris Reifert]]. They recorded the ''Mutilation'' demo, which led to a deal with [[Combat Records]], owned by Important Distribution (later becoming Relativity, and subsequently Sony), that enabled them to record the first LP.

''[[Scream Bloody Gore]]'' was released in 1987, widely considered a genre template for death metal. Schuldiner briefly had a second guitar player, John Hand, but Hand did not appear on the album (though his photo did). By this time Schuldiner had moved back to Florida, leaving Chris splitting with Reifert behindwho had elected to remain in California, where he went on to form [[Autopsy]]. There, Schuldiner teamed up with former band mate bandmate Rick Rozz and two members of Rozz's band [[Massacre (band)|Massacre]], [[Terry Butler]] and Bill Andrews.

In 1988, that lineup line-up recorded ''[[Leprosy (album)|Leprosy]]''. After much touring in support of the album, including a quick and ill-planned tour of Europe, Rick Rozz was fired in 1989. After a tour of Mexico featuring guitarist [[Paul Masvidal]] (later to re-emerge in the Death camp), a replacement was found in [[James Murphy (musician)|James Murphy]], with whom the third album ''[[Spiritual Healing (album)|Spiritual Healing]]'' was recorded in Tampa in the summer of 1989. Murphy was sacked relatively quickly. By this time Schuldiner abandoned the "gore" lyrical theme for more social critique as Death's musical style progressed from a more brutal style of death metal to a more complex, progressive death metal. Additional and melody was added to the band's sound as well as more varied timings and song structures.<ref>{{cite web|author=Eduardo Rivadavia |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/spiritual-healing-mw0000204121 |title=Spiritual Healing - Death &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |publisher=AllMusic |date= }}</ref>

In 1990, on the eve of a European tour, Schuldiner decided against traveling, claiming at the last minute that he felt the tour was not adequately organized (and citing the group's previous disorganized European tour in 1988). Andrews and Butler continued with the tour of Europe as 'Death' regardless to fulfill the band's contractual obligations,{{citation needed|date=October 2012}} and recruited roadies Walter Trachsler (guitar) and Louie Carrisalez (vocals) to replace Schuldiner, much to Schuldiner's shock and disgust. Schuldiner took legal action and Butler and Andrews were fired from the band.

Schuldiner abandoned the idea of a band set-up altogether and began working with session musicians only. Schuldiner hired [[Steve DiGiorgio]] and recruited [[Sean Reinert]] and [[Paul Masvidal]] from underground Florida band [[Cynic (band)|Cynic]]. In 1991, Death released ''[[Human (Death album)|Human]]'', which is considered a more technical and progressive album than their previous works, incorporating complex rhythms, riffs and song structures. ''Human'' was Death's best-selling album yet, receiving many accolades and some [[MTV ]] play for the group's first video, directed by David Bellino, for the track "[[Lack of Comprehension]]". Due to obligations with his primary band [[Sadus]], DiGiorgio was forced to depart after the recording of ''Human'' and new bassist Skott Carino did Death's extensive world tour, from October 1991 until March 1992, in addition to appearing in the music video for "Lack of Comprehension".

During this period Schuldiner fired his manager [[Eric Greif]] after ''Spiritual Healing'' but settled and re-hired him before the recording of 1988''Human''.<ref>{{cite web|first=Rob|last=Clymo|title=Keeping Death On The Road|url=http://www.emptywords.org/Thrash'nBurn02-92, Death was managed by Eric Greif, a rocky relationship that culminated in 1992.htm|work=Thrash 'n Burn|publisher=Empty Words|date=February 1992}}</ref> Although there were at least two lawsuits between Greif and Schuldiner. However, when interviewed by Schuldiner was characteristically mellow in an interview with Thrash 'n Burn, Schuldiner was characteristically mellow about what the writer referred to as his "gruesome collaboration" with Greif: "We just came to the conclusion that it was stupid just fighting all the time, taking each other to court and all that stupid shit." After his final break from Greif<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emptywords.org/Thrash'nBurn02-1992.htm |title='&#39;Keeping Death on the Roads!'&#39;, Thrash 'n Burn, February 1992 |publisher=Emptywords.org |date=2001-09-14}}</ref> "Fate has an interesting way of working these things out&nbsp;... Yes, we had a falling out, but we're working together again and it takes a lot of worries off my mind knowing Eric is the man for us", Schuldiner managed himself for told the remainder of his career''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Higgins|first=Terry|title=Greif Thrives On Death Metal|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19911122&id=9EUbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6U4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=4575,5564354|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=November 22, 1991}}</ref>

In 1993, Reinert and Masvidal left the group to continue with [[Cynic (band)|Cynic]], as they were working on a full-length album at the time. Schuldiner being , unable to persuade them otherwise. Schuldiner , replaced them with drummer [[Gene Hoglan]] of the recently dissolved [[thrash metal ]] band [[Dark Angel (band)|Dark Angel]], <ref>{{cite web|title=Gene Hoglan Interview Death Drummer on Slayer and James Hetfield|url=http://musiclegends.ca/interviews/gene-hoglan-interview/|publisher=Music Legends}}</ref> and worked with guitarist [[Andy LaRocque]] from [[King Diamond (band)|King Diamond]] for ''[[Individual Thought Patterns]]''. Since LaRocque being was obligated to his band, Schuldiner hired a then-unknown [[Ralph Santolla]] as touring guitarist. Death was arguably at the peak of their commercial and popular culture success, and the video for the track ''The Philosopher'' even made it on to an episode of [[Beavis & Butt-head ]] in 1994 (Beavis also parodies Schuldiner's vocals in a mock 'drive-thru' order of 'tacos, to go!' in death-metal style). Also in 1994, Death abandoned their its eight -year relationship with [[Relativity Records|Relativity]] and signed with [[Roadrunner Records]], their European distributor. For 1995's ''[[Symbolic (Death album)|Symbolic]]'', Santolla and DiGiorgio were exchanged for underground Florida musicians [[Kelly Conlon]] and Bobby Koelble. For the Symbolic tour Brian Benson was brought in on bass (Conlon having left the band prior to the tour due to conflicts with Schuldiner). After ''Symbolic'', Schuldiner and Roadrunner mutually agreed not to pursue an album option and he began writing songs for his progressive metal band [[Control Denied]]. Schuldiner entered into a licensing agreement with [[Nuclear Blast]] for both Death and Control Denied, and subsequently started writing material for the seventh Death release, ''[[The Sound of Perseverance]]''. The new roster for Death included Florida musicians [[Richard Christy]], [[Shannon Hamm]] and [[Scott Clendenin]], and ''The Sound of Perseverance'' was completed at Morrisound Recording in Tampa and released on Nuclear Blast in 1998.

After ''Symbolic''the album and two supporting tours, Schuldiner dissolved the band and all ties with Roadrunner and began writing songs for put Death aside to pursue [[Control Denied]]with Christy and Hamm. It Clendenin was during this time that Schuldiner briefly worked with Florida studio guitarist dropped in favor of [[James Hogan (guitarist)|James HoganSteve DiGiorgio]]. Schuldiner , who was still contractually obligated to record once again available, and an album under underground [[Nuclear Blastpower metal]] singer named Tim Aymar. Though the line-up and writing style was largely the same, Schuldiner created Control Denied in large part because he was displeased with the harsher vocals for Death. However, rather than betray what the band Death meant and so sounded like to the fans, he used several songs that were intended opted to be used for Control Deniedcreate a new band: "For me, it is just a matter of evolving, as several song titles doing it the right way. I didn't put out a Death record with this stuff on ''[[The Sound it. I made the right choice and changed the name of Perseverance]]'' were originally the band. I tried to do everything the right way."<ref>{{cite web|first=Paul|last=Gargano|title=Interview With Chuck Schuldiner|url=http://www.emptywords.org/MetalEdge02-2000.htm|work=Metal Edge|publisher=Empty Words|date=February 2000}}</ref> As Schuldiner finished Control Denied song titles (though's debut album, this is disputedhe was diagnosed with brain cancer, as Chuck himself denied using Control Denied songs as "filler" forcing the band to scrap plans for a U.S. and Canadian tour. As he worked on the Death album)second release, Schuldiner's condition improved, but the tumor left him in a weakened, vulnerable state. He re-formed Death with Florida musicians [[Richard Christy]]contracted pneumonia and was placed in a hospital. On December 13, 2001, [[Shannon Hamm]] Schuldiner was released and Scott Clendenin to record 1998returned home an hour later, where he died. His death was exactly 3 years after Death's ''[[The Sound of Perseverance]]'' with his new label Nuclear Blastfinal concert.

After ===The aftermath (2001–onwards)===The second Control Denied release has yet to be completed and was mired in legal problems involving its Dutch label, the album musicians and two supporting toursSchuldiner's sister Beth, Schuldiner dissolved Death the former of whom have publicly stated their desire to pursue [[Control Denied]] with Christy complete the album, and Hammformer manager Eric Greif representing the Estate. Clendenin was dropped in favor of In 2004, [[Steve DiGiorgioHammerheart Records]]released a two-part bootleg made up of old, who was once again availablepre-''Scream Bloody Gore'' demos, along with partial demos of the unfinished album and an underground power metal singer named Tim Aymarlive Death recordings from 1990. As This was issued under the name Chuck Schuldiner finished , not Death or Control Denied's debut album, he was diagnosed with brain cancer, forcing the band but its markedly unfinished state and lack of vocals led to scrap plans for a US and Canadian tour. As he worked on the second releasenot being successful, aided by Schuldiner's condition improved, but the tumor left him in a weakened, vulnerable state. He contracted pneumonia and was placed in the hospitalmother Jane's pleas for fans to stay away from it. On December 13In October 2009, 2001Greif litigated against Hammerheart, representing Schuldiner was released 's Estate, and returned home whereall matters were settled by December, one hour later, he diedtheoretically allowing for the Control Denied album to be completed by the other musicians.

===The aftermath (2001–present)===The second Control Denied release Members of Death have since stayed active as musicians. [[Gene Hoglan]] from [[Dark Angel]] and [[Andy LaRocque]] from [[King Diamond]] had already made a name for themselves, with LaRocque continuing to work with King Diamond while Hoglan has yet to be completed and is mired in done stints with a wide variety of odd legal problems involving its labelbands including [[Strapping Young Lad]], [[Old Man's Child]], [[Opeth]], [[Zimmers Hole]], [[Unearth]], [[Pitch Black Forecast]], [[Dethklok]], [[Fear Factory]], and most recently, [[Testament]]. [[Paul Masvidal]] found success with [[Cynic]] alongside fellow Death member [[Sean Reinert]], the musicians (who have publicly stated their desire continue to complete release albums and tour in the album) present. [[Richard Christy]] went on to gigs with [[Acheron]] and Schuldiner's sister Beth [[Iced Earth]] before joining [[The Howard Stern Show]], though he has recently resurfaced on the metal scene with [[Charred Walls of the Damned]] and former Manager Greif representing the Estateguesting on a Crotchduster album. [[Ralph Santolla]] has also played with Iced Earth, as well as [[Sebastian Bach]]; both are bands which [[Steve DiGiorgio]] played in as well. In 2004While Santolla is now in [[Obituary]], he was previously in [[Hammerheart RecordsDeicide]] released a two. DiGiorgio also played for [[Testament]] and is still active with his original band [[Sadus]]. Bobby Koelble founded the Orlando rock-funk-part bootleg made up of oldLatin fusion group JunkieRush in 2000. [[James Murphy]] was also in [[Testament]], pre-''Scream Bloody Gore'' demosformed projects such as [[Disincarnate]], along as well as having stints with partial demos of the unfinished album death metal bands [[Obituary]] and live Death recordings from 1990[[Cancer]]. This Murphy was issued under the name Chuck Schuldineralso stricken with cancer, not Death or Control Deniedfor which he received treatment, but their markedly unfinished state and lack , along with [[Deron Miller]] of vocals led few [[CKY]], attempted to pay attentionorganize a Death tribute album. [[Kam Lee]] formed the band Denial Fiend with [[Terry Butler]], aided by Schuldiner's mother's pleas for fans to stay away from itwho has also found success in [[Six Feet Under]]. [[Scott Clendenin]] resides in Central Florida and works in production.

Members of Death have dispersed all throughout On May 10, 2010, it was announced that Perseverance Holdings Ltd. and the landscape of metal Schuldiner family had partnered with Relapse Records to re-master and popular music. Some, like [[Gene Hoglan]] from [[Dark Angel (band)|Dark Angel]] re-issue the Death and [[Andy LaRocqueControl Denied]] from King Diamond, already had made a name for themselvesreleases. Others went on to do soOn December 13 of the same year, like it was announced that ''[[Sean ReinertThe Sound of Perseverance]], who formed '' would be the legendary [[Cynic (band)|Cynic]] with fellow first Death member [[Paul Masvidal]]. Ironicallyalbum to receive this treatment, both of these pioneering death metal musicians have ended up and was released February 2011 in a progressive2-CD and 3-CD format.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emptywords.org/NEWS.htm|title=12th Anniversary of Chuck's Passing, ethereal rock band named [[Æon Spoke]]Day Of Remembrance|publisher=Empty Words|date=December 13, laced with delicate guitars and Masvidal2013}}</ref> The ''s soft croon. [[Richard Christy]] went on to gigs with [[Acheron Human (bandDeath album)|Acheron]] and [[Iced Earth]] before joining [[The Howard Stern Show]]. [[Ralph SantollaHuman]] '' album has also played been remixed, with Iced EarthSchuldiner's intellectual property lawyer Eric Greif stating that Sony had lost the tapes of the original mixes, <ref>{{cite web|title=Extreme Metal Television Episode 2: Death Tribute Show|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNmUcX4yeg|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> and was reissued in 2-CD and 3-CD formats as well as Sebastian Bacha digital release. Shortly after, both of which were also stations for the ''[[Steve DiGiorgioIndividual Thought Patterns]] (he is still playing with Bach). While Santolla is now in [[Obituary (band)|Obituary]] and before this he '' album was in [[Deicide (band)|Deicide]]reissued. DiGiorgio also played for In February 2012, Relapse Records released a 2 CD live album entitled ''[[Testament (band)|TestamentVivus!]] and is still active with his original band [[Sadus]]. Bobby Koelble founded '' that included the Orlando rock-funk-Latin fusion group JunkieRush previously released 1998 concerts ''Live in 2000L. [[James Murphy]] was also A.'' and ''Live in [[Testament (band)|Testament]] for a whileEindhoven'', formed numerous projects such as [[Disincarnate]] (as well as stints with death metal bands [[Obituary (band)|Obituary]] and [[Cancer (band)|Cancer]]) including liner notes by drummer Christy and has made a name for himselfmanager/lawyer Greif. Murphy also has been stricken with cancer and, along with Deron Miller of CKY, is organizing a The Relapse deal does not include Death tribute 's acclaimed 1995 album to be released upon completion. ''[[Kam LeeSymbolic]] formed the band Denial Fiend with '', whose rights are still retained by [[Terry ButlerRoadrunner Records]]. Lee left Denial Fiend in early 2009 and is currently fronting several bands such as Bone Gnawer, The Grotesquery, and Broken Gravestonesof 2008.--->

On March 16, 2012, it was announced by Sick Drummer Magazine and the Schuldiner's corporation, Perseverance Holdings Ltd, that musicians who previously played in Death would take part in a benefit tour titled "Death to All" for the [[Sweet Relief Musicians Fund]].<!---ref>{{cite web|title=Chuck's 46th Birthday|url=Band logohttp://www.emptywords.org/NEWS.htm|publisher=Empty Words|date=May 13, 2013}}</ref> The former Death members slated to participate were drummers [[Gene Hoglan]] and [[Sean Reinert]], bassists [[Steve DiGiorgio]] and [[Scott Clendenin]], guitarists [[Image:Death bandPaul Masvidal]], [[Shannon Hamm]] and Bobby Koelble.pngIt was later announced that [[Obscura]] vocalist [[Steffen Kummerer]] and [[Abysmal Dawn]]/Bereft frontman Charles Elliott would assume vocal and guitar duties for the tour,<ref>{{cite web|rightfirst=Axl|thumblast=Rosenberg|200px|The original Death logo was created by Chuck Schuldinerurl=http://www.metalsucks.]]net/2012/03/23/death-to-all-tour-obscuras-steffen-kummerer-><!announced-as-second-Schuldiner designed the vocalist/|title=Death logo and its various incarnations during the length of his career. In 1991To All Tour: Obscura's Steffen Kummerer Announced As Second Vocalist|publisher=[[MetalSucks]]|date=March 23, before the release of '2012}}</ref> but [[Visa (document)|visa]] issues made Kummerer's participation impossible and he was replaced by [[Human Exhumed (Death albumband)|HumanExhumed]]''vocalist/guitarist Matt Harvey. After the tour, Eric Greif, acting as President of Perseverance Holdings Ltd. (PHL), he cleaned up alleged that the logo taking out more intricate details owners of Sick Drummer Magazine, Ian Macdonald and Anton Hefele, had not paid the "T" in charity, the logo was swapped from an inverted Cross to a more regular looking "T"musicians, PHL, one reason the crew or the booking agency despite the five shows of the tour being to quash any implication of religionsuccessful.<ref>{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Harris|title=Eric Greif Issues Statement Following Sick Drummer Claims|url=http://gunshyassassin. The logo was changed againcom/news/exclusive-eric-greif-issues-statement-following-sick-drummer-claims/|publisher=Gun Shy Assassin|date=September 12, 2012}}</ref> However, between ''Symbolic'' and ''The Sound dates for a second edition of Perseverance''the tour were announced in February 2013, with the removal of the hooded skull above the "H"no involvement from Sick Drummer Magazine, among other changes<ref>{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Harris|title=We've Got The Death To All Tour Dates For You|url=http://gunshyassassin.com/news/exclusive-weve-got-the-death-to-all-tour-dates-for-you/|publisher=Gun Shy Assassin|date=February 25, 2013}}</ref> and a successful tour of North America in April 2013 was followed by a sold out three week European tour in November 2013, featuring Masvidal, Reinert, DiGiorgio and young vocalist/guitarist Max Phelps. The Death To All moniker was altered to Death (DTA).<ref>{{cite web|title=Death to All Tour Dates|url=https://www.facebook.com/DeathDTATours|publisher=Facebook}}</ref>

==MembersLegacy=====Final lineup===* [[Image:Death band.png|right|thumb|180px|The original Death logo was created by Chuck Schuldiner]] – vocals, guitars, songwriter . This is the final logo used by the band (1983–2001The Sound of Perseverance)* [[Shannon Hamm]] – guitars (1996–2001)* [[Scott Clendenin]] – bass (1996–2001)* [[Richard Christy]] – [drums (1996–2001)

Music biographer Garry Sharpe-Young considered Death "a genre-breaking band centered upon frontman Chuck Schuldiner" and that the band "would become one of the prime instigators of the death metal movement".<ref>{{cite book|first=Garry|last=Sharpe-Young|title=Previous membersDeath Metal|year=2008|publisher=Zonda Books Limited|isbn=0-9582684-4-4}}</ref> However, Schuldiner dismissed such attributions by stating, in an interview with Metal-Rules.com, "I don't think I should take the credits for this death metal stuff. I'm just a guy from a band, and I think Death is a metal band".<ref>{{cite web|first=Patricia|last=Renda|title=Chuck Schuldiner: The Pain Of A Genius|url=Guitarists==http://www.metal-rules.com/interviews/chuck.htm|publisher==* [[Rick RozzMetal Rules]] (1983–1985|year=1999}}</ref> In January 2001, 1987–1989)* Matt Olivo (1985)* John Hand (1987; never has been known to be a part of the band, neither on album or live, however he is credited on ''Scream Bloody Gore''.* [[Paul MasvidalMahyar Dean]] (1989, 1991–1992)* Albert Gonzalez (1990)* an Iranian musician, wrote ''[[James Murphy Death (musicianbook)|James MurphyDeath]] (1989)* [[Andy LaRocque]] (1993)* [[Ralph Santolla]] (1993)* Craig Locicero (1993)* Bobby Koelble (1995)'', a book about Death and Schuldiner and released it in Iran. The book includes bilingual lyrics and many articles about the band. The book was sent through the site keepers of emptywords.org to Schuldiner, who in his words was "truly blown away and extremely honored by the obvious work and devotion he put into bringing the book to life".<ref>{{cite web|title=Voices From Iran|url=http://www.emptywords.org/VoicesFromIran.htm|publisher=Empty Words|date=April 2001}}</ref>

====Bassists=Band logo===* Scott Carlson (1985)* Erik Meade (1985)* Schuldiner designed the Death logo and its various incarnations during the length of his career. In 1991, before the release of ''[[Terry ButlerHuman]] (1987–1990)* [[Steve DiGiorgio]] (1986'', he cleaned up the logo taking out more intricate details and the "T" in the logo was swapped from an inverted Cross to a more regular looking "T", 1991one reason being to quash any implication of religion. The logo was changed again, 1993)* [[Scott Carino]] (1991–1992)* [[Kelly Conlon]] (1995)* Brian Benson (between ''Symbolic'' Tourand ''The Sound of Perseverance'', with a more streamlined look and the removal of the hooded reaper above the "H", among other changes (shown right)

==Band members==Drummers====;Final lineup* [[Chuck Schuldiner]] - Guitars, Vocals (1984-2001)* [[Scott Clendenin]] - Bass (1996-2001)* [[Richard Christy]] - Drums (1996-2001)* [[Shannon Hamm]] - Guitars (1996-2001) ;Previous members* [[Kam Lee]] - Drums, Additional vocals (1983–1985; also vocals1984-1985)* [[Rick Rozz]] - Guitars (1984-1985, 1987-1989)* Erik Meade - Bass (1985)* Scott Carlson - Bass, Vocals (1985)* Eric Brecht - Drums (1985)* Matt Olivo - Guitars (1985)* [[Steve DiGiorgio]] - Bass (1986, 1991, 1992-1994, 1997-1998)* [[Chris Reifert]]- Drums (1986-1987)* [[Terry Butler]] - Bass (1987-1990)* [[Bill Andrews ]] - Drums (drummer1987-1990)|Bill Andrews* John Hand - Rhythm guitar (1987)* Mark Carter - Guitars (1989)* [[James Murphy]] - Guitars (1987–19901989-1990)* [[Sean Reinert]] - Drums (1991–19921990-1992)* [[Paul Masvidal]] - Guitars (1990-1992)* Scott Carino - Bass (1991-1992)* [[Gene Hoglan]] - Drums (1993-1995)* [[Andy LaRocque]] - Guitars (1993–19951993)* [[Richard ChristyKelly Conlon]] - Bass (1994-1995)* Bobby Koelble - Guitars (1995) ;Touring musicians* Paul Masvidal - Guitars (1989)* Albert Gonzales - Guitars (1990)* Walter Trachsler - Guitars (1990)* Louie Carrisalez - Vocals (1990)* Craig Locicero - Guitars (1993)* [[Ralph Santolla]] - Guitars (1993)* Brian Benson - Bass (1996–20011995)

*''[[Leprosy (album)|Leprosy]]'' (1988)*''[[Spiritual Healing (album)|Spiritual Healing]]'' (1990)*''[[Human (Death album)|Human]]'' (1991)

*''[[Symbolic (Death album)|Symbolic]]'' (1995)

* ''[[Death by Metal]]'' (demo as [[Mantas]], 1983)

* ''[[Live at Ruby's Pub]]'' (live-demo, 1984)* ''[[Infernal Death]]'' (demo, 1985)

* ''[[Infernal Live]]'' (live-demo, 1985)

* [[Voodoocult]]

<!---==External links==*[http://www.facebook.com/DeathOfficial Facebook]*[http://deathband.bandcamp.com/ Bandcamp]*[http://www.emptywords.org Death/Control Denied Official WebpageWebsite]*[http://instagram.com/deathofficial Instagram]*[http://myspace.com/deathofficial Myspace]*[https://twitter.com/DeathOfficial Twitter]--->