by Luxi Lahtinen, EvilG and Robert Williams 

It's hard to believe it was 10 years ago, on December 13th 2001, that the entire Heavy Metal world was hit by sad news: Chuck Schuldiner (also known as “Evil Chuck”) of Death had tragically passed away. He lost a lengthy battle with a cancerous brain tumor, dying at the age of just 34. The Heavy Metal world was in shock and mourned his loss, realizing how much joy Chuck Schuldiner had brought Metal fans around the world through his music for nearly two decades.

Chuck is considered as one of the true pioneers of the Death Metal genre, starting out his musical career in 1983 by using the Mantas moniker, and changing the name to Death in late 1984. Death’s debut full-length studio album, SCREAM BLOODY GORE, originally released on Combat Records in 1987, was in many ways a groundbreaking Metal album. It turned out to be a remarkable and influential Metal record for many young generations to come. Unquestionably from that particular album in question onwards, Chuck’s career as a musician, started to sky rocket – Chuck deserved and enjoyed the attention and success he gained with his band Death. People knew Chuck as an ambitious musician who always wanted to develop himself as a musician, to reveal some new sides out for himself. He got involved with a more experimental-sounding super-group called Voodoocult in 1994 for one record – and formed Control Denied (1995-2001), in which he was able to write more melodic stuff that didn’t suit Death’s music (it’s been told the ex-members are determined to finish the 2nd Control Denied album, as that was one of Chuck's last wishes for all the fans). Chuck’s legacy in  Metal is probably greater than any of us will ever realize.

It's now been 10 long years since the legend left this world. Therefore, we here in Metal-Rules.com decided to honor Chuck’s memory together with several people from all around the world who were either very close to Chuck and knew him personally (Chuck’s ex-band mates, close friends, etc.), or to whom Chuck’s music made a great impact, resulting in thousands and thousands of young musicians forming their own bands - heavily inspired and influenced by Chuck’s signature vocal style, guitar playing and so on.  All the people who got involved with this special feature, told their heart-warming and humble thoughts about our much loved, never-forgotten, and very much respected fallen hero.

Oh, just before you are about to start reading this massive tribute article to Chuck, first make sure that your room is filled up with some of Chuck’s music at the highest volumes possible. If you neighbors don’t like it, tell them you have an official permission today to play your music as loud as you want to, authorized exclusively by Metal-Rules.com. 

Written by Luxi Lahtinen on October 30th 2011

This tribute is dedicated especially to Chuck’s family, relatives, close friends and all those people who really cared for Chuck and all his music he ever did. Chuck’s legacy and music are meant to live forever.