Early Death Metal Albums Debate with Blayne Smith | LOCK HORNS (live stream archive) 

Bolt Thrower - Realm of Chaos. Nothing sounded like that in 1989. Criminally underrated.

Bolt Thrower!!!

Dismember- Like An Everflowing Stream and Sinister - Hate

Would have liked these albums: Gorguts - considered dead carcarss - necrotisism dismember - like an everflowing stream bolt thrower - Realm of Chaos

Deicide's first one was an Absolute classic 🤘🤘☠️☠️😈😈

Spiritual Healing and Individual Thought Pattern are killer records

Suffocation - Effigy of the forgotten Grave - Into The Grave are early-DM masterpieces

Here's my list (it's quite "floaty" but it doesn't vary that much) Bolt Thrower: Realm Of Chaos Carcass: Necroticism Entombed: Clandestine Death: Leprosy Napalm Death: Harmony Corruption (no, it isn't a Grind Core album... it's 100% DM - the only in their catalogue but DM nonetheless) Sepultura: Arise (DM with sparkles of thrash but pivotal nonetheless) Cynic: Focus At The Gates: Slaughter Of The Soul Obituary: Cause Of Death Morbid Angel: Blessed Are The Sick

Hey I'm Blayne! To explain a little of the confusion that happened, the original plan was for early to be 80's and 90's because a clear break is hard to find, that's when I chose At the Gates. Whether you love'em or hate'em, they had a big influence on metal. By the way things shook out at the end they looked REALLY out of place and I took 'em down. A LOT of what we went on was from the live chat and comments on FB, so if you don't like it, get in the mix and change it! My revised pick would have been Bolt Thrower - Realm of Chaos. Blood for the Blood God! Skulls for the Skull Throne!

Hey Bangers, a few more words of clarification on why the 1990s records were included in this show. We never called this an OSDM episode. We knew that we needed to split up the Death Metal Albums debate, because our Death Metal Band debate was so wide-ranging, and lots of great music was left out. We went back and forth about what "early" might mean, and found there was no specific cut off point that we could stand behind. 1991? 1993? Everyone would just argue about that. So we decided to make this 1980s and all the 1990s (knowing that this would be mostly early 1990s records.) And that a follow-up would go from 2000s onwards. Many of you are mad that mid-1990s records would be consider "early." But considering they are now around 20 years old, we think that qualifies in the bigger picture. Also, we announced this from the start, in every post, and throughout the show. So don't get mad at Blayne for picking a record from 1995 like he was clueless or trying to pull a fast one! The 1990s was always going to be part of the discussion. Hope that helps clear things up from our end.

Possessed did "ignite", I was there..we were ready to jump ship from thrash bands and craved their dark, fast, and heavy sound..the division had begun. Ross Dolan of Immolation told me in 1995 that seven churches by Possessed was his favorite album.... Not bad from the band that I believe now carries the death metal torch the highest. Possessed seven churches had awesome riffs with maniacally driven repeating single note harmonies. Vocals were both raspy and powerful ( not the subdued Cookie Monster cookie cutter garbage that limits the forcefulness of the sound) not only that, Jeff Becera had a range of rasp that highlighted the lyrics and is something the genre needs.

Benediction - transcend The rubicon

The only Band where u give all songs on a playlist and never skip a song……...DEATH

Good job mentioning the very BEST of Florida death metal: Morbid Angel, Death, and Obituary. There were others, but these three were absolutely the best.

Dismember - Like an Everflowing stream

Awesome show.Blayne is one the best guests, hire the guy!

NECROTICISM - DESCANTING THE INSALUBRIOUS

The first death metal album I ever bought influenced me is Obituary's Slowly We Rot. Still love that album and listen to it regularly 30 yrs later.

The Bleeding by CC is widely considered one of their best and most essential records, that should have been a no brainer. They unfortunately get a lot of hate because death metal is full of elitists who jump on the bandwagon of hipster-esque thinking (oh they're popular or mainstream, I can't like them now). Cannibal Corpse is not a joke, they're just campy and it's what makes their music fun to listen to, much like a good b-horror movie. Taking it too seriously will taint your opinion on them for sure, it's unfortunate they get hate because they are super consistent, technical, catchy, and brutal all at the same time.

Sam, please do LOCK HORNS on Death albums.

Cannibal Corpse? "Edgy gore for the sake of it?" DA FUQ IZ RAWNG WIT DAT?!!! Death metal is fun! Let them be fun! Even some of the earlier death metal bands sounded more like thrash with "death metal techniques," but Cannibal Corpse, even now, sounds like they are trying to stay brutal without transitioning too far into melodic or tech death, both of which I do enjoy. Not my number one death metal band in general, personally, but one that always sticks around with me. And yeah, Suffocation and Dying Fetus (unless DF is in the tech death video).

Effigy of the Forgotten was hugely influential for tech and BDM, not to mention it was the first album to utilize slam riffs. Also say what you want about cannibal, they're also hugely influential vocally and lyrically.

"Slaughter Of The Soul" is a classic but not for this episode.

Mortification's Scrolls of the Meggiloth is an extremely underrated classic. It's brutal and in your face, production is great, riffs are fantastic, vocals are monstrous, and just generally kicks major ass. They get overlooked or straight up ignored because they're Christian, but few records from that time period did the crushing, grind influenced death metal of the early 90's better.

People always forget about Gorefest, False is such a masterpiece.

surprised to see no love for Malevolent Creation. Definitely my fav of the early bands

Massacre - From Beyond Master - s/t Feels like people forget the important ones

I think Effigy of the Forgotten is more essential than Morbid Visions and None so Vile. and a bit surprised Erosion of Sanity didn't get a mention.

Blayne says Altars of Madness is one of the few albums from that time that actual sounds good production wise.. WHAT?? Are you on crack dude? Tons of those early albums sound AWESOME

33:30 actually, Slowly We Rot was written in E standard tuning, which I think it shows that Obituary is that much better because they were able to be that heavy in standard tuning

I would definitely put the Unleashed debut Where No Life Dwells instead of Sepultura and Cryptopsy. Released in 1991, that album made a huge impact on death metal, and paved the way for new bands especially in Europe. Also the song Before Creation Of Time was the first metal hit that came from the death metal genre.

This is such a great idea! I like hearing metalheads discuss what they think about all the classic albums in each subgenre. It's cool to hear all the different perspectives.

I'm just getting into extreme metal, it's an awesome journey discovering (new to me) artists. I'm kicking myself for not being into or aware of this kind of music back in the mid/late 90's when I used to work in a music store.

Carcass - Necroticism belongs on this list for sure

Both bands are pinnacles of death metal of the era. Celtic Frost, I have just gotten into. I think they influenced many as well. Great video, as usual, Banger. :)

ONWARD TO GOLGOTHA!!!!!!!

No Immolation? No Gorguts? I would have also mentioned Demilich and Timeghoul for creating a complete different spin on death metal and they were for sure essential and early. Oh well.

DEICIDE essential - nothing sounded like their first album (despite what they did afterwards) Other essential bands ....Death, Obituary, Morbid Angel, Pestilence + no german bands ? Morgoth and Atrocity?!?

“Glen Benton is a DB.” “Glen Benton is the Ted Nugent of death metal.” I’m pretty sure if Glen Benton was there, it would been, “Yes, Mr. Benton, sir.” “Thank you for your influence Mr. Benton, sir.” “Can you sign my forehead, Mr. Benton, sir.?”

Coroner needs to get some love. Their first three are classics.

Awesome chanel, great job guys! Glad u mentioned At the gates! Maybe Bolth Thrower The IVth Crusade should be in the ten! Cheers

CANCER "Death shall rise"! First death metal band that I had heard.

Atheist 'Unquestionable presence' (1991) is another essential early death metal album. It had a big influence on the prog death subgenre, and more importantly, still kicks ass. Also, Napalm Death were very important in europe in their transition to death metal, with Harmony corruption, and Utopia banished.

Death - Leprosy, Morbid Angel - Altars Of Madness, Obituary - Slowly We Rot, Cannibal Corpse - Eaten Back To Life, Entombed - Left Hand Path were the essential blue prints of early Death Metal from the late 80's.

No cannibal corpse was a mistake. The argument of the album pick is okay but once you have criptopsy and pestilence on the list...

In the 90's Chris Barnes vocals were one of the best, if not the best! Tomb of the Mutilated is an absolute genre defining DM release.

Scream bloody gore is still one of if not the best death metal record of all time

BANGER is by far the best metal channel on RU-vid. Lock Horns is incredibly insightful and enlightening. Keep up the great work.

Wow I just realized that Massacre wasn't even mentioned during this. I'm guilty I didn't think of them.

Bolt Thrower should have been there. It got me in to metal, first metal I ever listened to.

commenting on the archive benn watching your vids all night you guys have great style on the live stream though like y'all kill it incorporating the chat good work

Its amazing how such advance and great albums were made by teenage guys sometimes without any music backgrounds

Gorguts Immolation Grave Atheist Cynic Incantation Nocturnus ... You guys forgot some

Decide is my favorite band but Legion is the essential album. Glen Benton's vocals are not fully evolved but it is closer to what it sounds like today. Riffs galore crushing and brutal. Scott Burn's masterpiece. The bass isn't overwhelming but is audible. Legion is essential.

There is a reason why Obituary's 3rd album was titled The End Complete. If you don't know and you haven't listened to it. It is the greatest death metal album ever written recorded and produced. Production is absolutely stellar packaging might be the best looking death metal cover ever you can stare at it for 20 years and still find stuff in that picture. Every single track is perfection in the true style that death metal was supposed to be before it went off the extreme cliff. Give it a relisten you'll understand. The End Complete...meaning no more shall come after.

Hey loved this show, it was exactly what I was hoping you'd do this week. Just a quick suggestion: in the future when you do more essential albums or any lockhorns I would suggest not putting the graphic where you see the final list in the intro. Seeing the list right away for the archived version completely gives away what will end up on the list! Hearing the arguments and debates is still fun, but it's just a little spoilery. Keep up the great work!

the removal of Effigy at the end there was fucking stuuuuuupid.

Baphomet: the dead shall inherit& necrophagia: season of the dead deserve honorable mention

Great show guys...Agree with the final list for the most part. I was 15 when I first saw Morbid Angel on their Altars tour with Sadus and Dismember in Europe and that's why I would like to have seen Like an Everflowing Stream by Dismember up there...special place in my dark heart! And being from Austria (now in Toronto) Pungent Stench's "For God your Soul" was seminal also....This genre makes it really tough to compile a best of list! Stay heavy!

Hell yeah, great episode. I think Blayne may be my favorite guest, I was rooting for Bolt Thrower in there too, they're fucking legendary..

Vader - De Profundis should be on this list, that record is as classic as it gets, also has the best production of any death metal record I have ever heard.

wow I am pretty hurt that Cannibal Corpse was taken off the list. I assume it was mostly for not being able to get it down to one album, which is understandable since they have lots of them. so that said cannibal corpse deserves their own episode. the BIGGEST band in death metal, arguably the best live, shit man.

Great Episode !! thanks guys ! inspired me to check out some of these albums ! As a more prog and old school thrash fan its about time i check out some of this detuned growling shit ! cheers

Great episode (I'm really late to this show) Was really amazed to see no one mention Like An Ever Flowing Stream by Dismember. Along with Entombed Left Hand Path I think you have the 2 definitive Sunlight Studios albums. Certainly more worthy than Cryptopsy and Possessed (and I love both those albums). Certainly a tough list to put together. Also I'm pissed at my careers advisor, I should have been told talking all day about metal is a career option!!!

Napalm death's harmony corruption is also very good

Tour 1995/96: Morbid Angel (with Dave), Dissection, At the Gates.

new school death metal should start after 96' If it started in the 00's you would miss Devourment: molesting the decapitated, Necrophagist: onset of putrefaction, Vital remains: Forever underground and many others that were very influential to the current scene.

You are the best. Best youtuber best infochanel for metal. Thanks hell that you are here. Lockhorns. In Banger we crust.

how the fuck isnt immolation here?!the fuck......

Slaughter Of The Soul is great and is for sure Death Metal (may have influenced Melodic Death for sure), but it is not an EARLY Death Metal album. The title should have been "Essential 80's and 90's Death Metal albums"

Firstly love the show guys. Entombed-"Left Hand Path", Carcass-" Necroticism...", Obituary-" Cause of Death", Morbid Angel-" Covenant ", At The Gates-" Terminal Spirit Disease". X.

Death was always amazing for me, the music was amazing and I loved chuck. I loved the sound of perseverance the most. Especially spirit crusher.

No one mentioned Cancer! "Death Shall Rise" is my personal favourite of OSDM, but i don't know if it was so "big" in early 90s thou...

So I'm from Switzerland... You Guys also know Celtic Frost ? This is real early Death Metal. I agree on Death too..Chuck forever !

Very good. I put only the Mordid Vision of Sepultura released in 86. I believe this album had a direct influence on the construction of Death and Chuck.

My top 10 early death metal album 1. At The Gates - Slaugther of The Souls 2. Pestilence - Consuming Impulse 3. Dismember- Like An Everflowing Stream 4. DEATH - Leposy 5. Entombed - Left Hand Path 6. DEATH - Scream, Bloody Gore 7. Massacre - From Beyond 8. Grave - Into The Grave 9. Sepultura - Chaos A.D 10. carcarss - necrotisism

How the hell were Immolation and Incantation not even mentioned?

80's/90's production is better than current, everything now sounds the same and over produced

We want more Blayne Smith!!! This guy is really entertaining and knows his stuff.

Obituary’s The End Complete got me into Death Metal. My dad had it on tape, I got my hands on it in fourth grade (1995) and listened to it religiously... after that I was hooked... for life.

they might include some early death metal next time :)

Possessed should've been put at the top of the board as proto-Death Metal. Switching Suffocation with Cryptopsy? That's BS, Suffocation have been far more influential, even creating a whole subgenre (Technical Brutal Death Metal).

Man I can't believe Incantation and Immolation never came up, that's insane lol

Sam, your enthusiasm and drive is inspiring and admiring! Thank you

Woah! That last second change taking off Suffocation, not cool Blayne. Not cool!

Where would you place Bolt Thrower?

Really enjoying these Lock Horns sessions. Please do a debate on the top 10 death/thrash albums. Bands like Demolition Hammer, Morbid Saint, and albums like Sepultura - Schizophrenia and Sadus - Chemical Exposure.

FUCK YES! I see the Raging Death compilation up there! Sadus’ Kill Team is so gnarly. This is also where I heard of Obituary (called Xecutioner here), all those years ago. Is Marty Eger still around ?

Morbid Visions came out in November of 86...not 87 lol

THE BLEEDING!!

When I started getting into death metal, it was At the Gates that gave me the gateway (haha!), then my cousin gave me a stack of albums; most of them are here! Alters of Madness, Left-Hand Path, Consuming Impulse, Human, Heartwork and Slowly We Rot - still play them all the time.

Love comin back and watchin these lock horns episodes on all different genres of metal..entombed left hand path is in a whole other league of greatness when it comes too death metal albums!!!clandestine was there next best album!

Do family tree episodes on Tech death and Brutal Death!

Okay, so, Cannibal Corpse, we heard all the arguments for and against by now. Let's try something different by putting it to the vote. Question: should Cannibal Corpse be on the essential early death metal list? - Yes, with Tomb of the Mutilated - Yes, with The Bleeding - Yes, with another album - No, not at all Vote by replying to this comment! *EDIT* Results up until now: - Yes, with Tomb of the Mutilated: 1 - Yes, with The Bleeding: 2 - Yes, with another album: 0 - No, not at all: 0

Lisa, what are we doing? Let's move it along. We don't have a lot of time. Let's move it along. We don't have a lot of time. Let's go to the board. Lisa, what are we doing? Let's go to the board. Lisa, what are we doing? We don't have a lot of time. Let's move it alone. Let's go to the board.

I'm putting this out there, granted its not pure death metal but Unquestionable Presence by Atheist or even Focus by Cynic. Really influential albums.

The only thing I have to say is that Cannibal Corpse is my favorite band.

When you said Death metal its Mobid Angel

I'm pretty happy with that list (would switch out Cryptopsy for Bolt Thrower - Realm of Chaos) , and all that artwork next to eachother just looks friggin awsome!

My top ten would be something like this although some people might argue the genre of some of them I guess. Death - scream bloody gore Possessed - seven churches Bolt thrower - realm of chaos Morbid angel - altars of madness Pestilence - consuming impulse Incubus - serpent temptation Autopsy - severed survival Necrophagia - season of the dead Carcass - symphonies of sickness Obituary - slowly we rot