Cannibal Corpse vs. Gorguts – Metal Madness 2014, Round 1

Here comes the death metal! These two acts are undisputed innovators of their craft, and here they compete in the first round of March Metal Madness to determine the best 21st century metal album. When it comes to both brutality and innovation, these are two bands any death metal aficionado would point curious metalheads towards.

Cannibal Corpse have always been extremely direct with their subject matter. This didn't change with the release of 'Kill' in 2006, although this was the band's first album not to showcase a gore-infested shock scene on the cover. Corpse delivered once again with unrelenting metal, including arguably the most popular death metal track of the 21st century, 'Make Them Suffer.'

Gorguts' 'Colored Sands' was released in 2013, but the vision of Luc Lemay, Colin Marston, Kevin Hufnagel and John Longstreth is a conceptual death metal masterpiece. Though Lemay is the only longtime member left in Gorguts, the band's new lineup sound like they've been composing together for decades. Inspired by themes such as Tibetan mandalas, the country's history and protest through self-immolation.

Cannibal Corpse's 'Kill' or Gorguts' 'Colored Sands'? Vote for your favorite 21st Century album in the poll below!

(This poll will end on Sunday, March 9 at 11:59 PM ET. Fans are able to vote once per hour, so keep coming back to make sure your favorite album wins!)