Dissonant death metal is a subgenre known for its use of jarring, unconventional chord structures and harsh tonalities that can create a sense of unease and discomfort. These elements are often used to add an extra layer of aggression, chaos, and intensity to the already heavy nature of death metal. Characterized by fast tempos, guttural vocals, and complex song structures, dissonant death metal pushes the boundaries of the genre by exploring more experimental and less melodic territories. In this article, we will highlight some of the most notable hits in the dissonant death metal scene, each demonstrating the genre’s ability to both challenge listeners and produce brutal, unique sounds.
11 Awesome Dissonant Death Metal Hits to Add to the List
1. “Lykathea Aflame” – Elvenefris
“Lykathea Aflame,” the title track from the album Elvenefris by the Czech death metal band of the same name, is a prime example of dissonant death metal’s chaotic yet captivating nature. This track blends brutal, fast-paced drumming with dissonant guitar riffs that evoke a sense of cosmic dread. The song’s shifting time signatures and off-kilter melodies create a sense of constant tension, making it hard for the listener to find a place of comfort. The vocals are guttural and filled with anguish, matching the chaos of the instrumentation. “Lykathea Aflame” is a powerful, emotionally intense track that pushes the boundaries of traditional death metal with its complex, dissonant sound.
2. “The Anthropophagist” – Necroticism: Descanting the Insalubrious by Carcass
Carcass is a legendary name in the death metal scene, and their track “The Anthropophagist” from the album Necroticism: Descanting the Insalubrious is a textbook example of dissonant death metal. This song features a dizzying array of complex riff structures and tonal shifts that defy conventional melody. The guitars use dissonant intervals and atonal phrases that feel jarring yet compelling, giving the track a disorienting and uncomfortable atmosphere. The relentless drumming and guttural vocals contribute to the song’s aggressive energy, while the overall chaotic structure makes “The Anthropophagist” a standout in the dissonant death metal catalog. The track’s refusal to settle into traditional musical structures is what makes it so compelling and intense.
3. “The Sound of Decay” – Dysphoria by Defeated Sanity
Defeated Sanity is known for their brutal approach to death metal, and “The Sound of Decay” from the album Dysphoria is an excellent example of the band’s dissonant approach to the genre. The song opens with a series of dissonant guitar riffs that immediately set the tone for the track’s chaotic, unrelenting pace. The drums are fast and furious, delivering complex, rapid-fire beats that propel the song forward. Vocally, the song features deep growls that are both guttural and intense, adding to the track’s overall sense of aggression. The dissonance in “The Sound of Decay” creates an unsettling atmosphere, perfectly fitting the song’s dark and harrowing theme.
4. “Art of Suffering” – Surgical Steel by Carcass
Carcass’s Surgical Steel album is filled with dissonant, high-energy tracks, and “Art of Suffering” stands as one of the most intense. The song’s use of dissonant guitar harmonies sets it apart from the more melodic death metal tracks of the era. The crushing riffs and intricate drumming create a sense of disarray that mirrors the song’s themes of pain and suffering. Lyrically, “Art of Suffering” touches on themes of decay and the physical limits of the human body. Musically, the track’s dissonance amplifies this feeling of suffering and deterioration, making it an exemplary piece of dissonant death metal.
5. “The Erosion of Sanity” – The Erosion of Sanity by Gorguts
Gorguts is a pioneering band within the dissonant death metal subgenre, and “The Erosion of Sanity” from the album of the same name is a key example of their influence. The track is built around unusual, dissonant chord progressions that create an unsettling, almost claustrophobic atmosphere. The song is constantly shifting in tempo and rhythm, making it difficult to predict what comes next. The drumming is complex and technical, while the guitar work adds to the eerie feeling with its atonal riffs. The vocals are harsh and growled, fitting the disturbing and chaotic atmosphere of the song. “The Erosion of Sanity” is a prime example of Gorguts’ ability to create death metal that challenges listeners both musically and emotionally.
6. “Involuntary Slaughter” – Evisceration Plague by Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse has been a staple of death metal for decades, and “Involuntary Slaughter” from Evisceration Plague showcases the band’s ability to incorporate dissonance into their brutal sound. The song’s opening riff is jagged and off-kilter, immediately setting a dissonant tone. As the track progresses, the guitar work becomes increasingly erratic, layering dissonant intervals that create a sense of unease. The drumming is fast and precise, adding to the track’s aggression. The guttural vocals are as brutal as ever, delivering the song’s lyrics with a sense of urgency and intensity. “Involuntary Slaughter” exemplifies Cannibal Corpse’s ability to use dissonance to create a more aggressive and unnerving death metal sound.
7. “Veins of the Earth” – Veins of the Earth by Tomb Mold
Tomb Mold’s “Veins of the Earth” from their album of the same name is an excellent example of how dissonant death metal can create a sense of vast, otherworldly horror. The song opens with a haunting, dissonant riff that immediately evokes a sense of isolation and dread. As the song progresses, the complex and dissonant guitar work creates a sense of chaos, reflecting the song’s dark themes of decay and destruction. The drums are relentless, with intricate patterns that match the intensity of the guitar riffs. The harsh, guttural vocals add another layer of aggression, further enhancing the track’s brutal atmosphere. “Veins of the Earth” is a powerful example of modern dissonant death metal, combining technicality with atmospheric depth.
8. “Engulfed in the Abyss” – Conceiving Death by Funebrarum
“Engulfed in the Abyss” from Funebrarum’s Conceiving Death is a track that uses dissonance to create an atmosphere of suffocating darkness. The song opens with slow, trudging riffs that build up into more chaotic, dissonant sections. The shifting tempos and rhythmic complexity make the track feel unpredictable, adding to the feeling of tension throughout. The vocals are deep and guttural, adding a visceral quality to the track. The dissonant guitar work creates an eerie, unsettling feeling that perfectly complements the song’s themes of death and the afterlife. “Engulfed in the Abyss” is a great example of how dissonant death metal can convey a sense of unrelenting doom.
9. “Eternal Nightmare” – Flesh Reborn by Suffocation
Suffocation is another key player in the dissonant death metal scene, and “Eternal Nightmare” from Flesh Reborn is a track that demonstrates the band’s mastery of dissonant riffing and technical death metal. The song is driven by erratic, dissonant guitar riffs that create a sense of unease and tension. The drumming is intense, with rapid-fire blast beats that propel the song forward at a relentless pace. The vocals are delivered in deep, guttural growls, matching the aggression of the music. “Eternal Nightmare” is a quintessential example of how dissonant death metal can convey a sense of terror and nightmare-like chaos.
10. “The Maw of the Soul” – The Unquiet Sky by Atheist
Atheist’s “The Maw of the Soul” from The Unquiet Sky is a progressive take on dissonant death metal. The song features complex time signatures and dissonant riffs that keep the listener on edge. The technical musicianship is evident throughout the track, with intricate guitar lines and jazz-influenced drumming. The song’s dissonance is not overbearing but rather serves to create a sense of tension and unpredictability. The vocals are delivered with precision, adding to the song’s overall sense of unease. “The Maw of the Soul” is a track that showcases Atheist’s ability to mix technical death metal with dissonant, challenging structures.
11. “Altars of Madness” – Altars of Madness by Morbid Angel
Morbid Angel’s “Altars of Madness” from the album of the same name is a track that uses dissonance to build tension and a sense of foreboding. The song’s guitar work is complex and dissonant, with angular riffs that create an unsettling atmosphere. The drumming is fast and intense, adding to the track’s chaotic energy. The song’s structure is unpredictable, with sudden changes in tempo and rhythm that add to its dissonant nature. “Altars of Madness” is a quintessential Morbid Angel track, showcasing their ability to craft intense, challenging death metal with a dissonant edge.
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Conclusion
Dissonant death metal is a genre that challenges both musicians and listeners, pushing the limits of traditional metal with its chaotic, unsettling structures. The tracks highlighted in this article showcase the ability of dissonant death metal to create intense, immersive experiences that are as emotionally resonant as they are sonically aggressive. Whether through complex riffs, fast tempos, or harsh vocals, these songs demonstrate the power of dissonance to heighten the sense of terror, anger, and confusion that defines the genre. For fans of extreme metal, these tracks are essential listening, representing the very best of dissonant death metal.
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