Morbid Angel is an American death metal band based in Tampa, Florida formed in 1983 by guitarist, primary composer and sole remaining original member Trey Azagthoth, vocalist and bassist Dallas Ward, and drummer Mike Browning. Widely considered as one of the most influential bands in the genre and important in the transition of death metal from its thrash metal roots, they were one of the first bands to incorporate guttural vocals, up-tempo blast beats, multiple tempo changes and a dark atmosphere. They have been described as one of "the most influential and emulated bands in death metal", alongside Obituary, Death, Cynic, Autopsy and Deicide, and have been cited as an influence by many later bands. They were also the first death metal band to experience mainstream success in connection with being signed to Giant Records in 1992, heavy rotation of their music videos on MTV, and having the music video for the song "God of Emptiness" shown on an episode of Beavis and Butt-Head. Their first three albums – Altars of Madness (1989), Blessed Are the Sick (1991), and Covenant (1993) – are considered classics in the genre.
Willowtip Records is an independently owned and distributed heavy metal record label headquartered in Zelienople, Pennsylvania.
The Gathering is a Dutch rock band, founded in 1989 by brothers Hans and René Rutten and vocalist Bart Smits in Oss, North Brabant.
Vader is a Polish death metal band from Olsztyn. Formed in 1983, the group was founded by then-bassist Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek and guitarist Zbigniew "Vika" Wróblewski. Vader went through several lineup changes over the years, with Wiwczarek as the only constant member. Since 2011, the band has comprised Wiwczarek on guitars and vocals, guitarist Marek "Spider" Pająk, bassist Tomasz "Hal" Halicki, and British drummer James Stewart.
Spawn of Possession was a Swedish technical death metal group, which formed in 1997 in Kalmar. The band have collectively released three studio albums. A fourth album was planned, but in 2017 the band announced their split up.
Thomas Gabriel Fischer, also known by his stage names of Tom G. Warrior and Satanic Slaughter, is a Swiss metal musician. He led the groups Hellhammer and Celtic Frost, and today is the frontman of the band Triptykon and Triumph of Death.
Arsis is an American extreme metal band from Virginia Beach, Virginia, formed in 2000. The band is currently signed to Nuclear Blast.
Abominations of Desolation is the demo album by American death metal band Morbid Angel. While it was originally recorded in May 1986, the band did not release it at the time due to their dissatisfaction with the final product. These recordings would later be released in 1991 at the decision of the band's record label, Earache Records.
Deceased is an American extreme metal band from Virginia, United States. In 1990 they were the first band to sign with Relapse Records, and released four albums and a number of EPs before parting ways with the label in 2003. Their sound centers around themes of horror, with lyrics barked and sometimes narrated by vocalist and founder King Fowley.
Vile is an American death metal band, formed in 1996 in Concord, California by guitarist-producer Colin E. Davis and singer Juan Urteaga, recruiting the rest of the band from the ranks of disbanded groups such as Lords of Chaos, Entropy, Sporadic Psychosis and Thanatopsis. Vile toured the United States and Europe several times since their inception in 1996 including with Cannibal Corpse in 2004. Their most recent tour was of Japan in December 2013.
Oppressor was a technical death metal band from Chicago, Illinois, which formed in 1991 and disbanded in 1999. They released three albums. Three of the band's members went on to form alternative metal band Soil.
Left in Grisly Fashion is the third release by Dutch death metal band Prostitute Disfigurement.
Phobia is a grindcore band from Orange County, California, United States. The band was formed in 1990 and is heavily influenced by crust punk and grindcore. Their lyrical content focuses mainly on socio-political issues and anarchism.
Willowtip Records is an American independent record label based in Zelienople, Pennsylvania, that specializes in extreme metal. Jason Tipton, who founded Willowtip Records in the late 1990s, owns the label. Their roster features bands from several countries, including Belgium, Canada, Germany, Finland, Italy and Sweden. The label's first release was a 7-inch split extended play (EP) between Creation Is Crucifixion and Fate of Icarus, in 1999. Later that year, Willowtip released the Circle of Dead Children's full-length debut, Starving the Vultures. In 2002, the label released an EP of the "hydro-grind" band Cephalic Carnage; a single 19-minute track entitled Halls of Amenti. The following year, Willowtip released Ion Dissonance's debut Breathing Is Irrelevant. In an interview, Jason Tipton stated that one of the Willowtip's most significant releases, is the 2004 re-issue for Necrophagist's Onset of Putrefaction; as the band and record label experienced some difficulties to get the rights back for the album.
Neurotic Records is an independent extreme metal record label specialising predominantly in death metal, operating out of Tilburg in the Netherlands. Founded in late 2003 by Ruud Lemmen, who was initially responsible for European distribution for the American label Unique Leader before deciding to set up his own label.
Corpus Mortale is a Danish death metal group. Established in 1993, the band has released two full-length albums.
Gorod is a technical death metal band from Bordeaux, France.
Fleshgod Apocalypse is an Italian symphonic death metal band. Formed in 2007, the group resides in Perugia and are currently signed to Nuclear Blast. They have released five full-length albums, most recently Veleno on May 24, 2019.
Rekuiem, formerly spelt 'Requiem', was founded in the beginning of the new wave of British heavy metal movement in the UK by Steve Slater (guitar), Gordon Denny (bass), Mike Reid (vocal), Karl Wilcox (drums). The band were pioneers of this new genre of rock amongst others such as Witchfinder General, Diamond Head, Jameson Raid, Angel Witch and Iron Maiden. Rekuiem pursued their own style of metal which later became known as doom metal. They were influenced by Black Sabbath and wanted to create something that was even heavier.
Deranged is a Swedish death metal band formed in 1991. The band was named after the movie Deranged.
