Is Death's Chuck Schuldiner The Best Death METAL Guitarist?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- Is Death's Chuck Schuldiner The Best Death METAL Guitarist? I believe Chuck was a very unique talent. He pioneered a new genre of music, wrote deep lyrics about religion and philosophical topics, as well as vicious guitar technique. I think he was the total package. Sadly Chuck died of brain cancer at age 34 in 2001. In oder to showcase his amazing songwriting ability, we'll be watching a live performance of Crystal Mountain, recorded in Germany in 1998. The track is fire. Get on Chuck's level by taking my music theory course below muhahaha!
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You should analyze control denied unreleased 2nd album track 2
Is it possible to pay with paypal? Don't have a credit card.
Remember when Christy was on Howard stern ? 🤣
Chuck is among the greatest guitarists. He pioneered a genre, dismantled it, and reconstructed it. An artist in every sense of the word.
Amén
Trey Azagthoth is better.
@@pm9666lmao shut up
Chuck and Mikael Åkerfeldt are two of the most genius songwriters I’ve ever heard
@@haydensnyder7093 i only like dave mustaine and thrash death metal sukz
Chuck was TRULY a ONE OF A KIND...WAYYYYYYYYY ahead of his time...
Agreed
I used to refer to Chuck's style as: technical progressive death-metal.
I will have to agree.
and also ...this time
I feel chucks progression from just scream bloody gore to humans is fantastic but from individual thought pattern to his final album sound of perseverance is just pure ecstasy. The amount of exotic riffs and just powerful songs just blows me away every time I listen to it. Possibly my biggest influence on my playing right now on the axe and what I’m practicing
The fact that he could do all that and sing is beyond me.
What are you trying to say 😂
@@Tormentor.death122what are you trying to say too?
@@MetalGodOfLegend what are u saying to the guy saying what are you trying to say
@@ewanheycock9986 what are you trying to say too about me who's asking "what are you trying to say too?" To the guy that said "what are you trying to say"?
@@ewanheycock9986 i totally forgot about this comment too
Chuck is the Mozart of Metal. Sadly he passed away so young. BTW: Eindhoven is in the Netherlands. ;)
💔🤘🔥🔥🔥
Funny that you should say that I was listening to symbolic on the trip from lake of Ozarks back to the st Louis area and I was thinking if Mozart did metal this is what it would sound like.
The first time I saw Death they played in a storage unit, before they had any following. They were a local band here in Altamonte Springs, FL. I didn't realize the greatness I was witnessing at the time. Miss those days.
So lucky
were you around for Chuck and Kam Lee's (Barney lee) feud? that shit was hilarious, they hated each other for years.
@@thh420 Elaborate plz
That's awesome
That storage unit may be the same one that Richard Christie lived in.
I named my first son "chuck" because of him.
I do believe he is and was a pioneer of the death style playing. He did predict the future in many ways, 1000 eyes was a good example. Thank you for carrying on his legacy
God bless you and your son :)
Best Death Metal Guitarists:
1. Chuck Schuldiner
2. Trey Azagtoth
3. Terrence Hobbs
4. Pat O’Brien
5. Jack Owen
6. Karl Sanders
7. Muhammed Suiçmez
8. John Gallagher
9. Mikael Åkerfeldt
10. Alexi Laiho
I'd put Luc Lemay in the top 10
You forgot James Murphy, Trevor Peres, and Allen West!
And Eric Rutan!
And Jeff Loomis.
Paul Masvidal (Cynic/Death)
Death have come up to enter my top 5 bands of all time list.
Im obsessed with Death right now! Ive been listening none stop to them for the last few weeks.
Last few years for me lol. I wish i got into it when i was younger
They work some serious magic and it’s hard to explain what happens inside when your just blasting their music.
Death is a Legend
The whole Eindhoven set by Death was a masterclass in metal musicianship, he was such a humble and sincere guy for all his genius too.
Eindhoven is a dutch town in the Netherlands not Deutschland
@@entityofgoodness7911 "town"
I must mention that Eindhoven is a city in the Netherlands my dear Shred, and yes he is the God.
I think I have seen an interview where Chuck says that he had a neighbours who always bothered him while practicing in his basement or what ever. they were the evil he meant, but not totally sure about it.
peace
Whoops 😅
I just remembered who said that about the neighbours, it was Bobby Koelble, death former guitarist XD
My favorite piece on “Symbolic” is “Crystal Mountain”, yet, what are crystal mountains?
Chuck - “They are synonimous for my over critical neighbours, which this song is all about. They believe they live a perfect life in a crystal mountain. Unfortunately, I live next door to this religious fanatics, who live unwordly and certainly not in the just described mountains. I’m sorry but those people are not that different from me. They have to pay taxes also and they should not be disturbed by looks like long hair. Although it’s not religious at all my neighbours are filled with hate and judge me. In this song there’s a cross changing into a sword, symbolic for the abuse of their religion. I have nothing against religion in general, but religion should not be directed against others. In “Crystal Mountain” I expressed my hate and anger towards these people. It’s easy to see that “Symbolic” contains very personal songs, i.e. “Empty Words”, every day you say things to people that later appear to be empty. It’s easy to promise mountains of gold, yet it’s hard to keep this promise. Spoken words should have a meaning and not just be hollow phrases just being said to be said. You should think about what you want to say and you have to be sure to say what you mean. I hope people can relate to this theme because it definitely is a very personal song." (Heavy oder was! 1995)
@@Mutabor1981 Thank you so much for this insight on Chuck's words about the song's meanings! Lately I've been digging his work more and more. Yesterday just bought his last 4 albums with Death. I'll be releasing an instrumental song honoring the man and his great music with my project, soon to be a live band, Damage Device. Thank You, You Rooock!🤘! www.youtube.com/@DamageDeviceBand/videos
Yes he was and he is. I wasn’t newb in music culture and was familiar with guitar music and some metal genres but when one guy from college gave me a cassette with Symbolic album and I listened it for a first time…I’ve got a culture shock, that tape changed my world so much. I still remember all riffs from this album.
And two years later one friend opened to me a Cynic band with their In Focus album, where i found something completely new and interesting in track named Textures. Listening it again and again I found it to be a secret door to the world of fusion metal music. And it was so hard to find any tapes in our country at those days, as soon as worldwide web was expensive, very slow and just unexplored yet.
All my homies hate cancer. I love chuck so fucking much i wish he was still here with us. I really wonder what he would be doing musically and i know it would be mind blowing.
Hey Shred, have you ever done a video on your musical background? You're so knowledgeable so I'm kinda curious on where your came from and how you learned what you know?
I think he's done a short on where he went to school and stuff but I think a full video could be cool
Yeah I’m always wondering more about this dude. At first I wasn’t sure but after watching Shred for a while I can tell he obviously knows his shit and is a cool guy I’d like to know more about.
@@Jesses_jamming_again Yes! That would be very cool!
I need to do a bat 🦇 man origin story muhahaha
@@ShredmasterScott alright Ozzie 🦇
Chuck, Dime, Alexi. The three metal gods
Alexi! Such an inspiration he is.
best metal guitarists to ever live R.I.P
Alexi was the second coming of chuck
@@crod67435 Dave Davidson is the 3rd
@@seanivins408 Revocation 🤘
Nobody compares to Chuck. What a visionary.
I mean I love Chuck but dimebag, Friedman are on the same level love all of them
He didn't create anything new
Haven't started the video yet, but the answer is YES. Crystal Mountain was a good choice. I'm 46, and I could have seen Chuck live a few times, but I never did. Was about to go to see him on the Sound of Perseverance tour, but some shit happened that made it impossible. Never would have figured he'd die so soon... RIP
After Chuck I'm gonna say the next two are Trey Azagthoth and James Murphy (Murphy has seemed to fade from memory, but goddamn is he good). His lead work in Death, Obituary and Disincarnate is insane.
@@koanikal Yeah, Trey from Morbid was amazing. So was Pete on the drums. Loomis did some killer stuff too, before he joined Arch Enemy.
🤘
I'm 46 and was lucky enough to not only be front row death live in LA but partied with them back at the hotel on sunset Blvd definitely a highlight of my life power loyalty and respect Fresno CA
I agree James Murphy has a style sound that is recognizable right away spiritual healing was the epitomy epicness of death metal perfection! Murphy killed it in testament low as well....
His riffs and solos are so tasteful even the lyrics and composition. Wonderful person and musician
“Flesh and the power it holds” also the greatest one of Death, you should check it
They have so many amazing songs,but I agree it was the song that made me huge fan.awesome progressive metal
I always loved how he went from straight forward shot and the breakdown in 11 and 13, 9 and 7.
Master.
CHUCK, DEATH, Enlightenment
Changed my Life, For the Better, Forever, I have outgrown some metal bands, But Death was right on the money, Metal, does not have to be Evil, to be Scary, Life is Scary enough!, and Chuck's perspective and philosophy was so unique, righteous and beautiful.
I remember I laughed at the name Death, and even rolled my eyes, ......later...... Rocked me to my Core! Lack Of Comprehension!
Lack of comprehension is the best death metal song ever.
I wish Shred would make a reaction video about it.
i totally feel you man. The first time i heard Death, it was The Sound of Perseverance, it completely blew my mind. I think that the reason why Death's music stands out after so much time and most of the other death metal bands don't is taht Chuck was the first and most severe citic of his own music. He wouldn't have allowed to bad music to be released. You can definitely heasr Chuck's passion for music behind every written line, and people feel that too
Another great band I would mention is Cynic. A song to analyze not only from guitar perspective could be Veil of Maya. Unfortunately their rythmic section already passed out 😢
Cynic was the Rythem section on the Death album HUMAN. that thing is a banger. I love the last 4 Death albums very much, HuMan seemed to capture a great mix of low end punch and proggy exceleptionalism. An album that threw down the gauntlet.
Chuck was intimidated by Atheist's musicianship and Human was his best shot. Came nowhere close to their album Unquestionable Presence musically, I mean not even remotely close. Yet they're so unknown. He ripped them off and took the credit.
Chuck and James Murphy on spiritual healing imo was some great guitar work.
I love that live show! I watch/listen to it a lot on TH-cam!
Here's some fun info. Prior to his involvement in Death, Richard Christy live here in Missouri (Springfield to be precise) and played in my buddy's band Public Assassin. They were fucking amazing. This was early 90s.
Also, spoke with Bobby Koelble who played on Symbolic. Chuck never learned any theory. He was entirely self taught by ear. He never communicated in any sort of technical musical jargon.
Is Richard still living in Springfield?
@@HeatherRichardson-g3p Richard quit professional music to become part of the Howard Stern Show around 20 years ago, where he still works. He lives in NYC.
My favorite Death song gotta be The Philosopher but Crystal Mountain always is a pleasure to listen too.
I remember in the late 80s hearing the Death albums Leprosy and spiritual healing. My Idol used to be James Heitfeld before that. Chuck Schuldner became my new guitar hero riff maker.
He is the GOAT for me for sure. There are people with more technical chops and deeper understanding of theory, people who have made unique and great music, but whenever I go back to Death, I notice new things, new nuance, from the songs I've heard hundreds of times. And the way he repeatedly found people who could do things he couldn't and had them add their touches to his compositions, giving the different albums completely different vibes while maintaining that Death undertone is great.
I believe chuck is one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
He truly is. His song writing was more poetry, than metal. Je was far neyond his time and a trie inspiration to the death metal scene
I watched Death on the Human tour in Manchester and they were insanely good live
I was a 14 year old freshman in high school. I went to the local record store to buy a new metal album. Talked to the guy at the counter. He said check out the new release by band called DEATH. So I picked up the cassette tape, yes I was in high school in the 80s, and saw the picture of the robed skeleton sitting on the throne raising a challis. I knew instantly that was the album for me, I was hooked just by the cover artwork. Scream Bloody Gore is still my favorite DEATH release of all time. Can't top Regurgitated guts or Mutilation.
Chuck is one of my favorite musicians ever. He opened the door to truly brutal, but controlled, metal. He took what the the thrash bands of the 80s did and rose it to another level and opened the door for future artists to take it even farther.
I would consider Death’s prime (Human, Symbolic etc.) as more progressive or even melodic death metal and not true Death Metal though.
Chuck Forever 🤘
Death songs also prove how important bass is in metal, especially live shows. Helps make the chord progressions feel more comfortable and comprehend-able if you can’t hear the notes under the heavy distortion(we’ve all been there I think)
He's not just the greatest death metal guitarist ever, he's the greatest to ever pick up the guitar
Bold claim
agreed
That's a very hot take. I can agree though. He made me learn to shred and feel so much emotion with his leads.
That is indeed a bold claim.
I say that as a Schuldiner Absolutist.
The Godfather of Death Metal.
Stop it. Chuck is one of my heroes but there are quite a few guitarists better than him. For the genre, maybe, but overall, no. He's definitely not better than Nuno Bettencourt, Dave Mustaine, Steve Vai, Alexi Laiho, John Petrucci, John 5, Joe Satriani, Eddie Van Halen, Prince, Randy Rhoads, & Dimebag.
The music is extremely well written. I'm not a fan of these types of vocals but the music and arrangements are exciting to listen to.
Check out Atheists "Unquestionable Presence" blows anything by Death away. They started philosophical, technical, jazzy, prog death metal and never got the credit for it.
I listen to death nearly everyday, never gets old!
Chuck is among my favorites of all time, so ofcourse I'm going to be bias and say he's the best Death Metal Guitarist and writer. He would not be scared to keep a complicated/exotic scales and then simplify it with a crunchy riff and on top of that do non-masturbatory solos.
In my opinion not only the best in just death metal but one of the best in metal generally 🤘
I used to cover this song years ago in my band. So much fun. Chuck was so good at vocal patterns that are fun to scream while playing guitar. The best Death Metal guitarist for sure. The emotion he played with (especially the solos) is above everyone else in the genre.
I didn't even have to watch it before I liked it. I love the Death/Schuldiner series. Keep it up Shred my dude! 🤘
Hey, just wanna say that Eindhoven is in Netherlands, And that live was just amazing
I recently found your channel and glad I did. Extremely enjoyable to watch.
He was the greatest. He wasn't afraid to risk and step out of the frames. I dare to say that innovative metal has died with his passing.
Yeah most of the time when I listen to death, I tend to only listen to the older albums over the latest ones. It’s not that I don’t like it, it’s actually amazing music. But there was definitely a difference and I guess I just can’t let go of the energy that those first 4 albums had.
DYING FETUS and OBSCURA seem to be pushing the progressive envelope. I love DEATH. If one's journey end's with them, That's cool, but there are some great bands keeping it moving on.
Very cool! Would love to have had him in a studio recording, collaborating on production.
I love Chuck and think he is the best, but this guy Jon Nödtveidt deserves an honorable mention…
True... one of the underrated musicians Extreme Metal has ever had!
Reinkaos is a just a masterpiecr of an album
The clean chorus just makes you feel like youre somewhere else. Beautiful
We always appreciate the Chuck S videos! Thanks, Shred!
Chuck is definitely one of the best guitarists and Songwriters in metal. Crystal mountain is a great track, Symbolic is an Amazing album, as all of Death albums are great!! I got into them and heard them at the time of the Symbolic album in 1995.
Arguably one of the best guitar players in death metal for sure, I hated metal until I heard death and chucks riffs basically taught me how to play metal.
The album 'death Live in L.A.' it was written in the album that Chuck had been sick with a flu in some performances, possibly also this one, but specifically live in L.A. you can see and hear he is giving his soul to play the songs but in this footage you can really hear how is voice is really sore from vocalizing it almost seems like he needs to clear his throat after each verse. Still he's killer
Nothing but goosebumps when you do Chuck 🤘
Chuck ..Goosebumbs all over the place, as always. Thanks for the upload!👍❤️
Shannon Hamms trapped in a corner solo is amazing.
It was actually composed by Andy LaRocque from King Diamond.....and he played the leads in the Individual Thought Patterns album.
If you like the leads on itp....check out abigail....laroque is extremely under-rated.
Just heard about for first time in quora! Impressive stuff. I'd love this music if it wasn't for the vocals.
You really know the music very well and I learn a lot from you.
The lyrics to Crystal Mountain were actually written about Chuck's religious freak neighbors who were always complaining whenever the band would practice and just gave Chuck and his friends a real hard time....acting "holier than thou" like they were above Chuck and he was lower than them which he found ironic how the ones who usually cast the 1st stone and are being overly judgmental are usually the ones who have a ton of their own issues yet are always the first ones to want to talk about somebody else.
Like you said, Chuck had the whole package, as a guitarist, singer, composer, lyricist.. Pure genius, definitely one of the greatest! RIP Chuck
This content is so good dude!
Chuck is the man!
I would love to see a video of you breaking down control denieds consumed!!! that jam is majestic with powerful lyrics.
Hey scott,
Eindhoven isn't in germany...
Anyway. Cool video,
Rip Chuck Schuldiner. One of the best.
Not even close, but his influence in that particular genre was big.
Death is a great band. Chuck has definitely left a lasting impression on music. Guitar, vocals, compositions, lyrics. It is truly a complete package.
Why do good brilliant people leave so soon .. may the God Father of Metal Rest in Paradise
Chuck Schuldiner was also very hot.
Eindhoven with the Dynamo Festival is in the Netherlands. Greetings from Germany 😂
As I understand, the lyrics are about a neighbor Chuck had that were holier than thou religious folk. They believed they lived in a crystal mountain (ie perfect home), but inside crystal mountain, evil (judgmental) takes it's form.
The only reason I would say he isn't is because of Alexi Laiho, but Chuck is a VERY close second. Honestly one of the better guitarists I've heard no matter the genre.
Crystal Mountain is about his Meth Head Neighbors in Altamonte Springs
Chuck still the coolest guy I ever shared a joint with.
Personally my favorite in the ways of best Death Metal guitarists go all the way back to Trey Azagthoth of Morbid Angel, but Chuck has his place well embedded in history either way.
Yeah saw MA in Nottingham like an eternity ago and they were just insane. Never saw Death but some of the tracks on Leprosy will be with me always…
Shred, I appreciate this content so much! If you’re looking to add to the roster, Lack of comprehension or Within the Mind!
It's Trey Azagthoth and will always be. He's multiple levels above the average death metal guitarist and a couple levels above standout pioneers like Chuck.
Different approaches.
Chuck works on structure, whereas Trey is just bast shit insane.
Trey even says that he doesn't have a great grasp of theory and just plays by "feel".
Chuck is great. He is my second favourite guitarist/artist right after Dave Murray :D
Happy birthday Chuck..hes was the best for sure!!so unfair what happened to him..but his legacy is eternal
Being the lead and only singer, being able to melt faces on guitar PLUS sounding almost the same live as he/they did on record is unbelievable. Also, he made Scream Bloody Gore basically by himself so yeah. He's a 🐐
The songs he wrote are like Dave Mustaine & John Petrucci combined
Uh Eindhoven Germany!?!? The enthusiasm for Chucks amazing playing is playing geographical tricks on you Shred. You mean the The Netherlands of course. Saw Chuck live both in Eindhoven at the Dynamo Open Air fest and at De Noorderlicht. Amazing player. Check out the work he did with Mille from Kreator.
I was there too!😃👍
Wtf did he do with or kreator?!
No. He was Death Metal’s best COMPOSER.
His execution was pretty good but his song writing was beyond excellent.
The one thing I hate about Chuck's music is that my stereo doesn't get loud enough.
I remember buying a Death cassette tape years ago. Purchased a used Valvestate 8100 from a friend recently. It's amazing to see how much Chuck did with that amp, incredible video!
He did everything right. And brought it together so well. Definitely one of the very best!!
Hail Chuck!!!
Oh without a doubt. I tried introducing Death to my friends when I was 14 yrs old and all they could comment on was the growly voice and said they couldn't understand what he was saying. I just shook my head and realized Northern Wisconsin was a pretty tough place for a true metal head in the mid to late 80's. Once metal became popular in the 90's there was a brief time when Chuck received part of his due then eventually God forbid he sing with clean vocals! Folks forgot the true spirit of metal once it was popular to listen. The ties to classical music and metal are so clear. Chuck gave us some of the evilist chord progressions mixed with complex melodies and even song structure and tempo changes that brought such a dramatic tension and release to the music. I love hearing people react to piano covers and finely are willing to hear some of what he gave us.
In my opinion he’s not only the best death metal guitarist, but one of the best rhythm guitarists and one of the best death metal vocalists
"Crystal mountain" never get's old. I can listen to it any time. Just a perfect composition. Anyway, to answer your question Shred, he very well could be, I just can't never put anyone over Tony Iommi. Just one example, Take a listen to Sabbath bloody Sabbath again, consider that composition, tuning & crunch was created in 1973, when no one else was doing it. There was no blue print. Chuck on the other hand had all sorts of blue prints, he built a unique style like Tony Iommi, but he did have Tony Iommi's music to base his ideas off of. Because of that, Tony Iommi still in at #1
interesting opinion
Sabbath rules
Black Sabbath isn’t death metal
@@TheTrueJesusChrist true, but listen to Under The Sun that opening riff
Hey Richard.... This is your dad.... Alright bud, we'll talk to ya later.
Richard Christy can also be found playing in the infamous "Death Live in L.A." They played the Whiskey a gogo if I remember right. Indoors, and very exclusive.
Btw, Chuck was far from technical, like the great jazz leaders of THIER day, the most talented musicians in the world could not afford trumpet lessons, they played from natural born talent and endless practice and perfecting thier craft. You can tell by Chuck's fingering that he had a bad habit of not using his pinky. A habit that is hard to break once you start. But, still one the greatest song writers and front men of all time.
P.S. Symbolic is a great album. Very little filler, if any. This guy is right, a great album to learn with.
Alright bud. We'll talk you later. 143.
wow sick you did this video. Chuck is insanely under rated not just in the metal community but in the music world. His artistic creations are absolutely genius
What can I say about Death and Chuck…!!! Amazing album work and amazing live performances where everything was played as if you were listening to the album. Always on the spot. There are a lot more complicated Death songs but crystal mountain gives you a good idea of Death’s music
I read somewhere that Crystal Mountain was about a Born Again Christian couple that lived near Chuck. That they were not practicing what they preached. I could be wrong, but that's what I read.
I'm almost positive there are a few interviews where Chuck says he tries his best to stay away from religious topics and all that. That was the reason i think the band name logo changed from the upside down cross to the sickle. After watching this video though what you said kinda makes sense. Chuck was and still is the man, I listen to Symbolic, The Sound of Perseverance, Individual Thought Patterns, daily. He was and still is a huge inspiration on my guitar playing. The man is definitely missed by fans, friends and family to this day and beyond.
He is dodecafonic composser....he put in his songs Alban Berg and Prokofjev and plenty more...he adjust his songs to his guitar skills...that is it...
Hey Shred! I'm orthodox christian and I love thrash- death- black metal, I think it's mostly the narrowmindness that hurts ppl so keep on Rockn'!!
Ok, so I just now found this channel, I've not looked what you've got so pardon me if you've already had Dan Swanö 'under inspection'. If not, why oh why? :)
his fingers are miles away from the fretboard but still shreds. imagine how fast he would be if he cleaned up his technique!
He's my all time favourite i didn't get into his music until after he passed, symbolic and the sound of perseverance are my favourite albums .i got a tattoo of him on my ribs i was in agony the whole time, so worth it
Great video and love Chuck. Always loved his lyrics
Eindhoven Netherlands! Not Germany
Would love to see you do more videos about Death. They've got so many amazingly well composed and played albums and songs. And yes, Chuck is the best death metal guitarist of all time
my favorite metal band, was great to hear chuck evolve over time. Best is hard to say but a huge innovator
A great metal guitar master, his work is timeless and stands the test of time.
In my opinion, there are 2 "Death Metal" guitarists at the top and they are different enough that they don't compete with each other. Obviously, Chuck is the man. However, up there in the stratosphere where Chuck resides, he has a crazy and talented neighbor named Pat O'Brien.
They sound so tight here, it's awesome. Chuck was one talented man for sure.
The fact that he can sing/scream and play those riffs at the same time, makes him iconic. Most of his riffs are pretty intricate and hard to play even while not screaming! It took me a while just to learn a few of his riffs. Lots of tremello picking and cool harmonies!
He for sure had a solid technique and a grasp on what music fitted in the songs! Also singing while playing those riffs is tough as hell!