I just spilled my beer all over my desk because I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that LEFT TO DIE, the band featuring Terry Butler and Frederick “Rick Rozz” DeLillo, two classic DEATH members, has released their debut full-length album “Initium Mortis” without the infamous Kam Lee. I mean, what’s next? A DEATH reunion without Chuck Schuldiner’s spirit haunting the stage?
In a recent interview with Terry Palamara of Loud And Proud Italy, Terry Butler spoke about the album, which was released on July 17 via Relapse Records. LEFT TO DIE is a band that performs most of the songs from DEATH’s classic “Leprosy” album, along with cuts from DEATH’s debut LP, “Scream Bloody Gore”. Because, you know, the world was just missing a band that plays old DEATH songs.
Butler also talked about the possibility of getting Kam Lee involved with LEFT TO DIE, and let’s just say it’s not happening. Ever. Like, not even in a parallel universe where metal bands actually get along. Terry said, “Not at all. There is one trillion percent [certainty that] Kam will not be involved with LEFT TO DIE. I mean, I’ve worked with the guy, I’ve known him for 40 years. He’s always toxic.” Wow, that’s some serious shade thrown at Kam Lee. I’m surprised Terry didn’t add “and he still owes me money from that one time we toured together” 🤑.
The Album: A Tribute to DEATH’s Early Days
“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 Rick Rozz and vocalist/drummer Kam Lee. Because who doesn’t love a good trip down memory lane, especially when it involves blast beats and growling vocals?
Butler continued to diss Kam Lee, saying, “He did play drums and sing on those [early MANTAS and DEATH] songs, but the best part of those songs on his part is the actual singing. Drums aren’t the greatest, but, hey, that’s what demos are.” Ouch, Kam, it seems like your drumming skills aren’t exactly praised by your former bandmates. Maybe you should just stick to singing, or better yet, just stick to being a meme on metal forums 🤣.
A Brief History of DEATH and MANTAS
For those who don’t know, DEATH was founded in 1984 by Chuck Schuldiner under the original name of MANTAS in Altamonte Springs, Florida. The band 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.
And, of course, who could forget the legendary Chuck Schuldiner, who died on December 13, 2001, after a battle with pontine glioma, a rare type of brain tumor. His legacy lives on, not just through his music, but also through the countless bands he inspired, including LEFT TO DIE, apparently.
In conclusion, LEFT TO DIE’s debut album “Initium Mortis” is out, and it’s a must-listen for any DEATH fan. Just don’t expect Kam Lee to be involved, unless you’re dreaming of a world where metal bands actually get along and don’t throw shade at each other on social media 🌟. So, go ahead and grab a copy of the album, and let’s all just pretend that Kam Lee doesn’t exist, shall we? 🙅♂️
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
