1. Symbolic - Death
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha5VAfg_7CU Of course we couldn't have a list about essential death metal albums and not include Death! They are considered to be THE pioneers of the genre after all. Now whilst the band have seven studio records to experience, with each album evolving the sound of the band and being unique in themselves, 1995's Symbolic is a fine place to start! Symbolic built on the technical and progressive advancements of previous albums Human and Individual Thought Patterns to create a truly mesmerising listening experience. Chuck Schuldiner, the architect behind it all, evolved the formula of Death's sound to create an album that is technically brilliant with jaw-dropping solos and yet packed full of head banging riffs. 'Empty Words' has some of the genre's best riff work, the closure of 'Perennial Quest' is beautifully atmospheric and '1,000 Eyes' features some of Schuldiner's best vocal work with high piercing screams throughout. Death are one of death metal's finest bands and whilst we wish we could include every album in this list, Symbolic is the perfect place to start your journey into metal's most extreme and heaviest sub-genre.