Six Feet Under are one of those names that are deeply embedded in the fabric of American death metal, largely shaped by Chris Barnes after his time fronting Cannibal Corpse. From the mid-’90s onwards, the band carved out a more groove-driven, stripped-back approach to death metal that’s less about technical fireworks and more about slow, crushing riffs. The debut ‘Haunted’ (1995) and follow-up ‘Warpath’ (1997) established that identity early on, relying on mid-tempo heaviness and Barnes’ distinct guttural delivery. Over time, albums like ‘Maximum Violence’ (1999) cemented their place as a steady, if polarising, force in the genre. Line-up changes have been constant and their catalogue has shifted between doom-laced crawl and more straightforward death metal assaults, including a run of cover-focused releases that divided fan opinion. Still, longevity in this scene is never accidental. Decades on, Six Feet Under remain committed to a no-frills, groove-heavy form of death metal – thick, swamp, and instantly recognisable. Get a taste of their upcoming new album ‘Next to Die’ – set for a late April release – with lead single ‘Unmistakable Smell of Death’! (#GMM26)
