Number two on the list is Deicide by Deicide. one of the most familiar yet also interesting albums on this list. I don't love using those kinds of paradoxes in my reviews but I think it fits here. The vocals on this one are absolutely out of this world.

Number 3 on the list is Left Hand Path by the Swedish goliaths Entombed. This record influenced so much heavy music. It's literally inescapable. If you love 90's or 90's inspired metallic hardcore you HAVE TO hear this record.

Number four is Leprosy by the Florida band Death. Hear me make the case for why this is my favourite death metal album of all time. The songwriting, playing and production on this record are all top notch.

Number 5 is Carcass' third and highest entry on the list -- Necroticism. It's the missing piece, stylistically, between the two albums we've already heard. It's also a masterpiece in its own right. 

This album explores a lot of lush tones and different melodies while still constructing complex, spiralling songs that push the boundaries of metal songwriting in terms of complexity.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO HEAR NEXT? EMAIL ME AT [email protected]

Number six on the list is Effigy of the Forgotten by New York's Suffocation. This record birthed the slam riff, and as a result is arguably the most influential death metal record on modern hardcore.

Number seven on the Terrorizer list is Slowly We Rot by Obituary. Another early record in the death metal cannon that charts its own course and influences a lot of what comes after it. Maybe not the superior Obituary album art, but musically, I think it has the edge.

Number eight on the Terrorizer list is Blessed Are the Sick, Morbid Angel's slower, simpler follow-up to their masterpiece Altars of Madness. This album ratchets up the heaviness and also, to me. signals a quiet end to death metal's classic era.

Number nine on the list is Mental Funeral by Autopsy. A really nice breath of fresh air in the approach it takes. There's a lot of Black Sabbath in this one, as well as a raw energy and charm.

Number 10 is the groundbreaking prog influenced Unquestionable Presence by Atheist. This doesn't exactly line up with my taste, but it's clear to see the talent and creativity pouring out of this record.

Number 11 on the list is Horrified by Repulsion. This is the missing link -- the archeological proof to my hypothesis that hardcore punk had a big influence on death metal.