Brutal death metal is a subgenre known for its extreme sound, crushing riffs, and relentless intensity. It’s a style that takes the heaviness of death metal and pushes it to the edge with faster tempos, aggressive drumming, and guttural vocals. While it’s not for everyone, brutal death metal has garnered a devoted following over the years, thanks to its ferocity and uncompromising attitude. In this article, we’ll explore 15 brutal death metal artists you need to hear. From established icons to newer acts, these bands are masters of their craft, and their music represents the true spirit of brutal death metal.
These artists push the boundaries of heaviness and technicality, delivering albums that are as brutal as they are complex. If you’re looking to dive deep into this extreme genre, the bands listed below will give you the most intense, visceral experiences. Each artist represents a different facet of brutal death metal, from guttural growls and blast beats to slamming breakdowns and technical wizardry. Let’s explore 12 of the most crushingly brutal death metal bands that are essential for any fan of the genre.
12 Brutal Death Metal Artists to Follow
1. Cannibal Corpse
Key Track: “Hammer Smashed Face”
Cannibal Corpse is perhaps the most well-known name in brutal death metal. Known for their relentless brutality, their music features blistering riffs, extreme blast beats, and vocals that are both guttural and ferocious. Their lyrics, often graphic and disturbing, have pushed the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in the genre, making them both infamous and iconic.
“Hammer Smashed Face” is the quintessential Cannibal Corpse track. The song starts with a crushing riff that sets the tone for the entire track. From there, the band launches into an intense blast beat-driven rhythm, with vocalist George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher’s guttural growls taking center stage. The sheer power of the drumming and guitar work creates a relentless atmosphere of chaos and violence. The song’s brutal breakdowns and rapid-fire pace make it a perfect example of Cannibal Corpse’s impact on the brutal death metal scene.
2. Dying Fetus
Key Track: “One Shot, One Kill”
Dying Fetus is known for their blend of brutal death metal and technical death metal, creating a sound that is both relentless and sophisticated. Their use of complex guitar riffs, blast beats, and grooves distinguishes them from many other bands in the genre. The band’s aggressive and politically charged lyrics add an extra layer of intensity to their music.
“One Shot, One Kill” exemplifies Dying Fetus’s unique style. The song opens with a blistering riff that gives way to a punishing rhythm section. The drumming is fast and precise, and the band’s technical guitar work adds a level of complexity to the song that is absent in many other brutal death metal bands. The vocals are ferocious, and the breakdowns hit hard, creating a feeling of constant aggression. “One Shot, One Kill” is a perfect representation of the band’s ability to combine brutal violence with technical mastery.
3. Suffocation
Key Track: “Effigy of the Forgotten”
Suffocation is one of the pioneers of brutal death metal and is known for their technical and guttural sound. They are often credited with creating the foundation for the genre, blending intricate song structures with deep growls and fast tempos. Their influence can be heard in many of the bands that followed in their wake.
“Effigy of the Forgotten” is a standout track that demonstrates Suffocation’s mastery of brutal death metal. The song features a barrage of blast beats and rapid-fire riffs that are paired with Frank Mullen’s deep, guttural growls. The technical guitar work and fast-paced drumming create an unrelenting sense of urgency throughout the track. The breakdowns are heavy and intense, and the song’s overall chaotic energy is the perfect example of why Suffocation is a staple in the brutal death metal world.
4. Job for a Cowboy
Key Track: “Entombment of a Machine”
Job for a Cowboy emerged from the deathcore scene but quickly gained recognition for their brutal death metal sound, especially with their album Doom. Their music features a mix of slamming breakdowns, technical guitar work, and guttural vocals, creating a sound that is as punishing as it is precise.
“Entombment of a Machine” is a standout track that exemplifies the band’s brutal death metal approach. The song starts with a crushing riff that leads into a series of blast beats and fast guitar shredding. Jonny Davy’s growls are guttural and aggressive, matching the intensity of the instrumentation. The breakdowns are heavy and serve as a powerful contrast to the fast-paced sections, giving the song a dynamic feel. The chaotic energy and relentless rhythm in “Entombment of a Machine” make it a perfect representation of Job for a Cowboy’s brutal death metal style.
5. Brodequin
Key Track: “Murder”
Brodequin is a band that specializes in brutal death metal with a focus on slamming riffs and aggressive tempos. Their music is characterized by its in-your-face intensity, with deep growls and high-speed drumming. The band’s songs often explore themes of violence and brutality, fitting well within the brutal death metal genre.
“Murder” is a prime example of Brodequin’s ability to combine slamming riffs with fast, aggressive drumming. The song starts with a heavy riff that quickly transitions into a relentless barrage of blast beats. The growling vocals are deep and guttural, adding to the feeling of total destruction that the song evokes. The breakdowns are powerful, and the overall pace of the song doesn’t let up, keeping the listener immersed in the chaos from beginning to end.
6. Autopsy
Key Track: “Charred Remains”
Autopsy is a death metal legend that has been active since the late ’80s, but they have become known in recent years for their return to a more brutal, old-school style. Their music is a mix of death metal and doom, with an emphasis on heavy, sludgy riffs and intense, guttural vocals. Their sound is raw and unrelenting, making them an important band in the brutal death metal scene.
“Charred Remains” is a track that showcases Autopsy’s mastery of brutal death metal. The song opens with a slow, crushing riff that sets a grim tone for the track. The vocals are deep and guttural, adding to the song’s dark atmosphere. As the song progresses, the tempo picks up, and the band’s technical guitar work and powerful drumming come to the forefront. The heavy breakdowns and slow, deliberate pace of the song create a sense of tension and brutality that’s perfectly in line with the band’s style.
7. Cryptopsy
Key Track: “Phobophile”
Cryptopsy is a band known for their technical prowess and their ability to blend brutal death metal with elements of grindcore. Their sound is fast, chaotic, and often unpredictable, with complex song structures and frequent tempo changes. Their music has been influential in shaping the direction of brutal death metal.
“Phobophile” is a track that represents Cryptopsy’s unique approach to brutal death metal. The song features a mix of blast beats, technical guitar work, and guttural vocals. The tempo changes throughout the track, creating a feeling of unpredictability that keeps the listener on edge. The song’s breakdowns are heavy and fast, adding to the song’s chaotic energy. “Phobophile” is an excellent example of how Cryptopsy blends technicality with brutality to create an intense listening experience.
8. Vomit Remnants
Key Track: “Emergence”
Vomit Remnants is a Japanese brutal death metal band that has made a name for itself through its ferocious sound and relentless intensity. Their music is fast, guttural, and aggressive, with blast beats and slamming riffs that create an overwhelming sonic assault. The band is known for their brutal breakdowns and intricate song structures.
“Emergence” is a track that perfectly captures Vomit Remnants’ approach to brutal death metal. The song starts with a fast, aggressive riff that quickly transitions into a series of blast beats. The vocals are guttural and powerful, adding to the song’s intensity. The breakdowns are heavy and precise, giving the track a sense of crushing weight. The overall speed and aggression of the song make “Emergence” a standout track in the brutal death metal genre.
9. Fleshgod Apocalypse
Key Track: “The Violation”
Fleshgod Apocalypse is an Italian band that blends brutal death metal with symphonic elements, creating a unique and cinematic sound. Their music features a mixture of orchestral arrangements, blast beats, and technical guitar riffs. The band’s ability to combine classical music with brutal death metal makes them stand out in the genre.
“The Violation” is a perfect example of Fleshgod Apocalypse’s unique sound. The song begins with an orchestral intro that quickly transitions into a series of blast beats and fast guitar work. The guttural vocals are paired with symphonic elements, creating an atmosphere of grandeur and violence. The breakdowns are heavy, and the song features complex song structures that add to the overall intensity of the track. “The Violation” showcases the band’s ability to combine brutality with symphonic elements, creating a sound that is both epic and intense.
10. Morbid Angel
Key Track: “God of Emptiness”
Morbid Angel is a pioneering death metal band known for their technical skill and dark, atmospheric sound. While their earlier work was more rooted in traditional death metal, they have since incorporated elements of brutal death metal, making their music even more intense and aggressive. Morbid Angel’s songs often feature intricate guitar work, blast beats, and guttural vocals.
“God of Emptiness” is a track that exemplifies Morbid Angel’s ability to create a dark, atmospheric sound while maintaining brutal intensity. The song begins with a slow, ominous riff that sets a haunting tone. As the track progresses, the tempo picks up, and the band’s technical guitar work and fast drumming come to the forefront. The vocals are deep and guttural, adding to the song’s eerie atmosphere. “God of Emptiness” is a perfect example of how Morbid Angel blends brutality with atmosphere to create a truly intense listening experience.
11. Devourment
Key Track: “Molesting the Decapitated”
Devourment is often regarded as one of the heaviest and most brutal bands in the death metal world. Their music is relentlessly fast, with slamming breakdowns and guttural growls that push the limits of brutality. Known for their shocking and graphic lyrics, Devourment’s sound is designed to be both aggressive and overwhelming.
“Molesting the Decapitated” is a brutal and unrelenting track that showcases the band’s signature style. The song is fast, with aggressive riffs and blast beats that never let up. The vocals are some of the most guttural in death metal, fitting perfectly with the song’s savage energy. The breakdowns are heavy and punishing, creating a sense of total sonic assault. “Molesting the Decapitated” is an excellent example of how Devourment has become a force to be reckoned with in the brutal death metal scene.
12. Severe Torture
Key Track: “Unholy Prophecies”
Severe Torture is a Dutch brutal death metal band that excels at blending speed, brutality, and technicality. Their music is marked by high-intensity blast beats, deep growls, and complex guitar work. The band’s use of groove in their songs adds an element of power and impact, giving their tracks a sense of weight.
“Unholy Prophecies” is a prime example of Severe Torture’s ability to combine brutality with technicality. The song begins with a heavy, groove-laden riff that transitions into fast blast beats and rapid guitar work. The vocals are guttural and forceful, matching the song’s intensity. The breakdowns are crushing, adding an extra layer of heaviness to the song. “Unholy Prophecies” perfectly captures the brutal yet technical nature of Severe Torture’s sound.
See Also: What Are the Mental Effects of Heavy Metal?
Conclusion
Brutal death metal is a genre defined by its aggression, technicality, and relentless energy. The artists listed in this article are some of the best and most influential in the brutal death metal scene. From the pioneers like Cannibal Corpse and Suffocation to newer acts like Fleshgod Apocalypse and Aborted, these bands have each played a crucial role in shaping the sound and direction of brutal death metal. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the genre or a newcomer, these 12 artists represent the heart of brutal death metal and are essential listening for anyone looking to dive into the genre.
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