Left to Die, a death metal supergroup featuring former Death members Terry Butler and Rick Rozz, will release its debut full-length album, Initium Mortis, on July 17 via Relapse Records. The project, rounded out by Gruesome founders Matt Harvey and Gus Rios, focuses on re-recording and performing early material from the catalog of Death mastermind Chuck Schuldiner, specifically targeting the raw, demo-era tracks that preceded the band’s major studio releases.
Why are legacy acts re-recording early demos?
According to guitarist Matt Harvey, the motivation behind Initium Mortis is to provide high-fidelity versions of songs that were previously trapped on low-quality, “boom box” recordings. Harvey notes that during the band’s global touring cycle—which spanned the U.S., Europe, Latin America, Australia, and Asia—fans frequently requested recorded versions of the early Death and Mantas tracks the group was performing live. By cleaning up these compositions, the band aims to preserve the “ground zero” of the death metal genre while honoring the legacy of the late Chuck Schuldiner.
How does the band approach the Death songbook?
The band’s setlist and album tracklist primarily focus on the 1983–1987 era of Death and Mantas. Terry Butler, who currently plays in Obituary, explains that the project began as a way to expose younger fans to the foundation of the genre. The members avoid attempting to surpass the established classics like Leprosy, opting instead to act as a preservationist unit. Rick Rozz, who was dismissed from Death in 1989, describes the experience of revisiting these songs as an honor, noting that the camaraderie within the group has removed the “anxiety” he initially felt about relearning material he had not played in decades.
What is the significance of the “Mantas” connection?
Harvey describes Initium Mortis as an “alternate-universe” version of the Scream Bloody Gore tracklist. The album includes songs that were circulating during various rehearsals and demos from the early 1980s. Specifically, tracks like “Slaughterhouse” and “Legion Of Doom” were selected because they feature the distinct stylistic fingerprints of Rick Rozz. This approach allows the band to present a cohesive look at the band’s evolution before they achieved international fame.
| Feature | Historical Context | Current Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Production | Boom box/Demo tapes | Clean, analog-style studio production |
| Focus | Original 1980s rehearsals | Live performance and studio preservation |
FAQ
- Who is in the band Left to Die? The band consists of Terry Butler (Obituary), Rick Rozz (ex-Massacre), Matt Harvey (Exhumed), and Gus Rios (ex-Malevolent Creation).
- What material does Left to Die perform? They focus on early Death material, specifically tracks from the Leprosy and Scream Bloody Gore eras, alongside early Mantas demos.
- When is Initium Mortis being released? The album is scheduled for release on July 17 via Relapse Records.
- Did Chuck Schuldiner record these songs? Many of these tracks were written during the early 1980s but were never properly finished or recorded in a high-fidelity studio environment until now.
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