The Most Popular Death Metal Band, Ranked

Choose the band you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 2, 2024 06:34
Fans of Death Metal understand that the genre is not just about the music; it's about the message and the community it creates. With so many bands each bringing their unique style and intensity, it can be difficult to gauge which ones resonate the most with listeners. This is why a live ranking of the most popular Death Metal bands can be incredibly useful, helping fans connect and share their passion for their favorite bands. By casting your vote on this list, you contribute to a dynamic, crowd-sourced ranking that reflects the current preferences of the Death Metal community. This method ensures that everyone's voice is heard and that the rankings represent the collective opinion of an engaged audience. It's an engaging way to see how your favorite bands stack up against the competition and to discover new music that might strike a chord.

What Is the Most Popular Death Metal Band?

  1. 1
    74
    votes
    One of the most well-known and influential death metal bands, Cannibal Corpse has been active since 1988 and has released over 15 albums. Their brutal lyrics and intense musical style have made them a favorite among fans of the genre.
    Cannibal Corpse is a highly influential and notorious American death metal band known for their aggressive and extreme sound.
    • Genre: Death metal
    • Hometown: Buffalo, New York, U.S.
    • Formed in: 1988
    • Current members: George Fisher, Alex Webster, Paul Mazurkiewicz, Rob Barrett, Erik Rutan
    • Record label: Metal Blade Records
  2. 2
    36
    votes
    Considered by many to be the founders of death metal, Death was formed in the early 1980s and released several highly influential albums before disbanding in 2001. Their music combined rapid-fire drumming, intricate guitar work, and growled vocals to create a sound that has influenced countless other bands.
    Death is the permanent cessation of all biological functions that sustain a living organism. It is the event that marks the end of life and the transition into a state of non-existence. Death is a natural part of the life cycle and is experienced by all living beings.
    • Universality: Death is a universal experience that affects all living organisms.
    • Irreversibility: Once death occurs, it is not possible to reverse or bring back to life.
    • Multifactorial causes: Death can be caused by various factors, including aging, disease, accidents, or trauma.
    • Biological changes: After death, the body undergoes a series of biological changes, such as rigor mortis and decomposition.
    • Cultural significance: Death carries deep cultural and social significance, often being associated with mourning, rituals, and various beliefs about the afterlife.
  3. 3
    15
    votes
    Another early pioneer of death metal, Morbid Angel formed in 1984 and released their first album in 1989. Their music often featured complex arrangements and technical guitar work, and their lyrics explored themes of darkness and the occult.
  4. 4
    21
    votes
    Known for their aggressive and uncompromising style, Deicide formed in 1987 and released their first album in 1990. Their lyrics often dealt with anti-Christian themes, and their music was characterized by fast, chaotic drumming and blistering guitar riffs.
    Deicide is an American death metal band formed in 1987. Known for their blasphemous and anti-Christian themes, Deicide has gained a substantial following within the death metal genre. They are highly regarded for their aggressive and intense sound, characterized by rapid and intricate guitar riffs, blistering drumming, and deep growling vocals. The band's music often explores themes of satanism, the occult, and rebellion against religious ideologies.
    • Formed in: 1987
    • Genre: Death metal
    • Origin: United States
    • Blasphemous themes: Yes
    • Anti-Christian themes: Yes
  5. 5
    13
    votes
    Formed in 1984, Obituary released their first album in 1989 and quickly became one of the leading bands in the death metal scene. Their music was characterized by slow, heavy riffs and deep, growled vocals, and their lyrics often dealt with themes of death and decay.
    Obituary is a renowned American death metal band formed in 1984 in Tampa, Florida. With a distinctive and influential sound, they have established themselves as one of the pioneers of the death metal genre. Known for their brutal and heavy yet intricate music, Obituary continues to deliver intense performances and maintain a dedicated fanbase.
    • Formation Year: 1984
    • Origin: Tampa, Florida, United States
    • Genre: Death Metal
    • Distinctive Sound: Brutal, heavy, and intricate
    • Influence: Pioneers of the death metal genre
  6. 6
    10
    votes
    Formed in 1988, Suffocation is known for their complex and technical approach to death metal. Their music often features intricate guitar work and fast, precise drumming, and their lyrics explore themes of violence and brutality.
    Suffocation is a renowned Death Metal band hailing from New York, United States. They are widely recognized for their brutal and relentless style, characterized by complex guitar riffs, technical drumming, and growling vocals. The band emerged in the late 1980s and has since made a significant impact on the Death Metal genre.
    • Formation Year: 1988
    • Hometown: Centereach, New York, USA
    • Style: Death Metal
    • Vocals: Frank Mullen (1988-2018)
    • Current Vocals: Ricky Myers
  7. 7
    7
    votes
    Hailing from Sweden, Entombed formed in 1987 and released their first album in 1990. Their music combined elements of death metal, punk rock, and thrash metal, and their lyrics often dealt with social and political issues.
    Entombed is a Swedish death metal band known for their pioneering role in shaping the death metal genre. Formed in 1987, they gained prominence with their debut album, 'Left Hand Path,' released in 1990. Entombed's music is characterized by heavy, downtuned guitars, aggressive vocals, and a dark, intense atmosphere.
    • Formation: 1987
    • Debut album: Left Hand Path (1990)
    • Genre: Death Metal
    • Guitar tuning: Downtuned
    • Vocals: Aggressive
  8. 8
    7
    votes
    Dying Fetus
    Jaakonam · CC BY 3.0
    Formed in 1991, Dying Fetus is known for their brutal and unrelenting approach to death metal. Their music often features complex arrangements and fast, technical guitar work, and their lyrics explore themes of violence, sexuality, and politics.
    Dying Fetus is an American death metal band known for their brutal and aggressive musical style. They are widely regarded as one of the most popular and influential acts in the death metal genre. Formed in 1991, their music combines elements of technical death metal, grindcore, and slam death metal, characterized by heavy riffing, intricate song structures, and blistering drumming. Dying Fetus is known for their extremely brutal lyrics, often dealing with controversial and taboo subjects. They have released several acclaimed albums and are known for their intense live performances.
    • Formed: 1991
    • Musical style: Technical death metal, grindcore, slam death metal
    • Influences: Cannibal Corpse, Suffocation, Napalm Death
    • Lyrical themes: Controversial, social and political issues, violence
    • Record label: Relapse Records
  9. 9
    6
    votes
    Hailing from Poland, Behemoth formed in 1991 and has become one of the most popular and successful death metal bands in recent years. Their music often incorporates elements of black metal and features intricate guitar work and powerful vocals, and their lyrics explore themes of Satanism, paganism, and mythology.
  10. 10
    3
    votes
    Formed in 1998, Bloodbath is a supergroup featuring members of several other prominent death metal bands. Their music is characterized by fast, aggressive riffs and intense vocals, and their lyrics often explore themes of horror and gore.
    Bloodbath is considered one of the most difficult levels in Geometry Dash. It is known for its intense and intricate gameplay, challenging obstacles, and demanding timing requirements. The level features a fast-paced soundtrack that adds to the overall difficulty and excitement.
    • Length: Around 2 minutes and 36 seconds
    • Difficulty: Demon difficulty, rated 10 stars
    • Number of attempts to complete: Thousands, if not more
    • Number of attempts to verify: Over 40,000 attempts
    • Number of objects: Over 127,000 objects

Missing your favorite band?

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Ranking factors for popular band

  1. Album sales and chart performance
    Analyze the band's overall album sales, as well as the performance of their albums on various music charts. Successful death metal bands should have a history of strong sales and high-ranking albums.
  2. Fan base and concert attendance
    The popularity of a death metal band can also be measured by the number and intensity of their fans and the attendance at their live shows. Look for bands that consistently sell out venues and have a passionate, dedicated fan base.
  3. Critical acclaim and awards
    A band's popularity can also be assessed through the recognition they receive from industry professionals and critics. This could include positive reviews, awards, and inclusion in various "best of" lists.
  4. Online presence and engagement
    In the digital age, a band's popularity can be measured through their online presence. Consider factors such as the number of followers or subscribers on social media and streaming platforms, the number of video views on platforms like YouTube, and engagement rates (i.e., likes, comments, and shares).
  5. Genre innovation
    Bands that bring something new to the death metal genre or push its boundaries are often more likely to be popular among fans.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Death Metal band. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or band is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1930 views
  • 191 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each band once every 24 hours. The rank of each band is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular death metal band

Death Metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that emerged in the late 1980s. Known for its aggressive and often dark lyrics, fast and complex guitar riffs, and deep guttural vocals, Death Metal has gained a large following among metal enthusiasts. Over the years, many bands have contributed to the development and popularity of Death Metal. From pioneers like Death, Possessed, and Morbid Angel, to more recent acts such as Cannibal Corpse, Behemoth, and Opeth, the genre has seen a diverse range of artists and styles. Despite its extreme nature, Death Metal has a dedicated fanbase that appreciates the technicality, intensity, and raw energy of the music. As one of the most popular subgenres of heavy metal, Death Metal has spawned a multitude of bands, each with their own unique sound and approach.

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