Who Really Invented Death Metal?
Who really invented death metal? More than three decades later, the question remains.
The argument over what constitutes the first official death metal album has been ongoing, centered around two landmarks debuts: Possessed's Seven Churches (1985) and Death's Scream Bloody Gore (1987).
In Episode 11 of Loudwire's "50 Years of Heavy Metal" video series, we explore this classic argument, with some help from members of The Black Dahlia Murder, Opeth, Cattle Decapitation, Municipal Waste, Misery Index and High on Fire.
Before we assess the two albums though, it is imperative that we determine the dividing line between thrash and its more extreme sensibilities and certifiable death metal. This, however, isn't easy, hence why the answer to this question has yet to be sorted out in any definitive, be-all-end-all capacity.
If Possessed, who coined the genre term in their song titled "Death Metal," were indeed death metal's creators, what separates them from like-minded acts such as Dark Angel and Kreator? And what is it about Scream Bloody Gore that severs the ties from thrash to make it a full-fledged death metal album?
That's what we've asked ourselves. The answers lie in the video for Ep. 11 at the top of the page.
The Best Death Metal Album of Each Year Since 1985
More From Loudwire
![Fans React to Gojira Playing at 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-Gojira-Reactions-Olympic.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Photos – Gojira Play 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony in Paris, France](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-olympics_gojira.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gojira Become First Metal Band to Play Olympics Opening Ceremony – Watch](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-Gojira-2024-Olympic-Games-Opening-Ceremony.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Eight New Rock + Metal Tours Announced This Past Week (July 19-25, 2024)](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-Metallica-Fit-for-an-Autopsy-Deftones.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The Five Most Metal Soundgarden Songs](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-soundgarden_jesus_christ_pose.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![2024 Hard Rock + Metal Album Release Calendar](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-new_rock_metal_albums_july_26_2024.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Bill Ward Addresses Black Sabbath Reunion Show Speculation](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-Black-Sabbath-Bill-Ward-2012.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The Letter Glenn Danzig Wrote to Cliff Burton About Metallica Covering Misfits](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-cliff_burton_metallica_glenn_danzig_misfits.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gojira Are Playing 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony in Paris – How to Watch](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-paris_2024_olympics_gojira.jpg?w=980&q=75)