Masterpieces of death metal. Recommended popular songs.
When you hear the term “death metal,” what kind of music comes to mind?
Even among fans of heavy metal, some people find death metal hard to enjoy.
It’s certainly a genre that isn’t for everyone, but the world of death metal is actually incredibly deep.
There’s technical death metal, underpinned by overwhelming musicianship; progressive death metal, where intricate song structures reach an artistic level; brutal death metal, which pursues extremity and sheer destructive force; and deathcore…
In this article, we’ve selected popular tracks and must-hear classics from across the many subgenres and eras in death metal’s history.
It might just change your entire concept of what death metal is.
Enjoy!
- [2026] Overseas Metal Bands You Absolutely Can’t Miss — From Veterans to Rising Stars
- Intense! A roundup of classic grindcore tracks from Western music
- [2026] Summary of IRON MAIDEN’s Popular and Classic Songs
- An introduction to Western heavy metal: the masterpieces that changed the history of metal
- [2026] A Beginner’s Guide to Popular Overseas Turquoise-Core Bands
- Masterpieces of German metal: A roundup of popular songs recommended for beginners [2026]
- A spine-chilling scary song: masterful tracks that evoke fear and eerie recommended songs
- A classic hard rock masterpiece. A must-listen recommended album.
- [2026] Start with this track! A roundup of classic industrial metal songs
- [BABYMETAL] A curated selection of their globally acclaimed masterpieces and fan favorites
- Classic Japanese metal songs. Recommended popular tracks.
- [Evil Beauty of Melody] A roundup of recommended symphonic black metal bands
- Classic hardcore punk tracks. Recommended popular songs.
Death metal masterpieces. Recommended popular songs (21–30)
BleedMeshuggah
A signature song by Meshuggah, often discussed within the progressive death metal genre.
It’s a ferocious track with riffs that grind like a jackhammer.
Guitarist Fredrik’s eight-string guitar is also an indispensable element when talking about the band’s low-end heaviness.
Lack Of OxygenAbominable Putridity
They are a death metal band from Moscow, Russia.
Russian bands don’t often release on major Japanese labels, but you can find death metal from all over the world at import shops and metal specialty stores.
Be aware that it’s common not only to lack Japanese translations, but for there to be no lyrics at all.
Blinded By Fearat the gates
A signature song by At the Gates, a pivotal presence in the Nordic death metal scene.
They’re also an important band for popularizing so-called melodic death metal, and this classic masterfully fuses thrash-derived aggression with the emotive pull of minor-key melodies at a high level.
Focus ShiftDark Tranquillity
In the early days of the band, he was praised for having the most beautiful death growl in the world, but he wrecked his throat during the fourth album and switched to clean vocals.
On the next album, he changed his vocal technique and returned to death growls.
Homo SunDECAPITATED
Decapitated is a death metal band from Poland.
Each part locks in tightly, delivering a powerful, headlong drive.
Their meticulously crafted sound blends the brutality of death metal with a cutting modern edge, and the way their songs unfold can even feel catchy at times—truly impressive.
Combustion InfernoKRISIUN
A track by KRISIUN, a death metal band that represents Brazil.
It’s a number that surges forward with a heaviness hard to believe from a three-piece, tribal rhythms that reflect the influence of Sepultura, and insanely fast blast beats—all fused into a single onslaught.
Decapitation FornicationInfant Annihilator
Infant Annihilator had their music video instantly removed from a certain social media platform due to its extremely obscene content.
While they might give off a playful, joking vibe, their songs are pure death metal, and the sheer technicality is dizzying.
This is a track I especially want people to hear if they have an overly serious image of the death metal genre.