In a shocking turn of events that has left metalheads reeling, the YouTube channel of the Considered Dead blog has uploaded video of LEFT TO DIE’s August 4 concert at Zaścianek in Kraków, Poland. Because, you know, the world was just missing some good old-fashioned death metal to really make it complete. I mean, who needs world peace or a cure for diseases when we have LEFT TO DIE playing “Leprosy” in its entirety?
The band, featuring classic DEATH members Terry Butler and Frederick “Rick Rozz” DeLillo, paired with GRUESOME founders Matt Harvey and Gus Rios, performed most of the songs from DEATH’s classic “Leprosy” album, along with cuts from DEATH’s debut LP, “Scream Bloody Gore”. Because, why not? It’s not like we’ve heard those songs a million times before or anything.
The LEFT TO DIE Story
Butler was unable to make the first five shows of LEFT TO DIE’s summer 2026 European tour and was temporarily replaced by Jörgen Sandström of GRAVE and ENTOMBED fame. I guess that’s what happens when you’re trying to keep the spirit of DEATH alive, but your bassist is all, “Hey, I’ve got other plans, dudes.”
Before launching into the final song of the regular set, “Zombie Ritual”, at the Kraków concert, Harvey told the crowd: “This next one is our last one for the evening, and it’s for [late DEATH mastermind] Chuck [Schuldiner] and it’s for [late DEATH drummer] Sean Reinert, it’s for [Chicago metal legend] Shaun Glass, it’s for [late DEATH bassist] Scott Clendenin, and all those who didn’t make it here with us tonight, man. Check it out.” Aww, how sweet. They’re dedicating a song to all the metal legends who are no longer with us. I’m sure it had nothing to do with the fact that they’re trying to sell more merchandise.
Schuldiner died on December 13, 2001, after a battle with pontine glioma, a rare type of brain tumor. He was only 34 years old. Reinert was found unresponsive at his California home on January 24, 2020. He was only 48 years old. Glass, who has played with a number of acclaimed metal bands over the past four decades, passed away on July 1, 2026, a month after suffering a stroke at his Illinois home. Clendenin died in March 2015 at the age of 47. I guess that’s what happens when you live the metal lifestyle, folks.
LEFT TO DIE’s Debut Album
LEFT TO DIE released its debut full-length album, “Initium Mortis”, on July 17 via Relapse Records. Because, you know, the world was just missing another DEATH tribute band. “Initium Mortis” pays homage to the brutal beginnings of DEATH with newly recorded versions of songs from the band’s early catalog, including cuts from DEATH mastermind Chuck Schuldiner’s pre-DEATH band MANTAS, which also featured Rozz and vocalist/drummer Kam Lee. Wow, I bet that was a real challenge to record – playing the same songs that have been played a million times before.
Founded in 1984 by Chuck Schuldiner under the original name of MANTAS in Altamonte Springs, Florida, DEATH was among the more widely known early pioneers of the death metal sound, along with California’s POSSESSED. Inspired by NASTY SAVAGE, DEATH was among the first bands in the Florida death metal scene. In the late ’80s, the band was both a part of and integral in defining the death metal scene which gained international recognition with the release of albums by a number of area acts. Yeah, yeah, we know – DEATH is a legendary band, and we’re all just a bunch of poseurs for not being there when it happened.
“Born Human: The Life And Music Of Death’s Chuck Schuldiner”, the fully authorized biography of the legendary DEATH frontman, was released in November 2025 via Decibel Books. Because, you know, the world was just missing a 500-page book about Chuck Schuldiner’s life. “Born Human”, authored by accomplished journalist David E. Gehlke, features exclusive interviews, contributions, stunning new Ed Repka cover art and previously unreleased, hand-selected photographs from those who knew Chuck best. “Born Human” brings life to the dramatic story of the man who blazed an iconic path in metal music, laying the foundation for generations to come. Wow, I bet that was a real page-turner.
In conclusion, LEFT TO DIE’s concert footage is out, and the world is still spinning. What a shock. If you’re a die-hard DEATH fan, you’ll probably want to check it out. If not, well, there’s always cat videos on YouTube. 🐈👍
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