PIONEERS: Death Metal Originators -- Who are they?

Death metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that emerged in the early 1980s and is characterized by its extreme and abrasive sound, as well as its use of growled or guttural vocals and lyrics that often deal with themes of death, violence, and the occult. 

The origins of death metal can be traced back to bands like Venom and Possessed, who were some of the first to incorporate elements of death metal into their sound. However, it was not until the emergence of Florida-based bands like Death and Obituary in the mid-1980s that death metal began to take on its own distinct identity as a genre.

There are a number of bands that are considered pioneers of death metal, including:

Death - Formed in 1983 in Orlando, Florida, Death is widely regarded as one of the pioneering bands of the death metal genre. The band's early material, such as the albums "Scream Bloody Gore" and "Leprosy," is considered to be some of the most influential death metal of all time.

Obituary - Another Florida-based band, Obituary formed in 1984 and is known for their groove-oriented approach to death metal. Their 1989 debut album, "Slowly We Rot," is considered a classic of the genre and helped to define the sound of death metal in the early 1990s.

Morbid Angel - Formed in 1983 in Tampa, Florida, Morbid Angel is known for their complex and technical approach to death metal. Their 1989 album, "Altars of Madness," is considered a classic of the genre and has had a major influence on the development of death metal.

Deicide - Formed in 1987 in Tampa, Florida, Deicide is known for their satanic themes and their aggressive, high-speed style of death metal. Their 1990 debut album, "Deicide," is considered a classic of the genre and helped to establish Deicide as one of the leading bands in the death metal scene.

These are just a few of the many bands that are considered pioneers of death metal. Each of these bands has had a major impact on the development of the genre and has helped to shape the sound and direction of death metal.