Death Share Recording of Entire Chicago Show from 1987

Relapse Records and the Death estate’s new ongoing Death: Non Analog – On Stage Series, “a series of previously unreleased, career-spanning live concerts that touch upon all eras and lineups of the legendary band,” continues today with a release of a show recorded in Chicago on April 28, 1987. If you’re doing the math in your head right now, let me save you the time: yes, that means this was recorded nearly a month before the release of Scream Bloody Gore. It’s hard to tell for sure — the quality of the recording isn’t top-notch — but it doesn’t even sound like there are that many people in the audience (you hear what people in the crowd are saying/ screaming pretty clearly). Which makes sense! Few would have known who the hell Death were in April of 1987. That makes this recording a very special part of death metal history that is 100% worth your time, even if it sounds like a non-pro bootleg.

In addition to Chuck Schuldiner (duh), this line-up for this iteration of Death, if I’m not mistaken, would have included drummer Chris Reifert (Autopsy), bassist Terry Butler (Obituary), and guitarist Rick Rozz (Massacre). Death truly was like the Saturday Night Live of death metal — so many of its members went on to other huge projects after their tenure with the group was done.

Regurgitate your guts below: