Ten is not a big enough number to mention the slew of names that deserve recognition for spearheading and innovating the death metal genre, but we’re going to take a look at the bands who have done it the best over the course of their respective careers.

What makes the following bands the best of the best is influence, innovation, perseverance, evolution, and strength of their catalog. The Godfather of Death Metal, Chuck Schuldiner, is hands down one of the greatest musicians in modern music. His passing was far too soon, but his work with Death set the standard for a genre he helped create.

Modern death metal is characterized more as what was known as brutal death metal in the early 90s. Bands like Suffocation and Cannibal Corpse not only created the heaviest music of the time, but some of the most devastating metal even to this day. We don't care who you are - you're not going to get heavier than Suffocation's Close of a Chapter live album.

We branch off into other extreme directions rooted in death metal. British grinders Carcass helped define goregrind, grindcore and extreme metal in general, but there's no doubt their sound in rooted in death metal.

Check out our picks for the 10 Greatest Death Metal Bands above!

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