The Hidden Story of Death’s Chuck Schuldiner Finally Emerges in “Born Human”
Decibel Books has announced the release of Born Human: The Life and Music of Death’s Chuck Schuldiner, the first fully authorized biography of one of extreme metal’s most revered visionaries. Due out this November, the book promises an unprecedented look into Schuldiner’s life, featuring never-before-seen photographs, exclusive interviews with family, friends, and bandmates, and cover artwork by legendary illustrator Ed Repka.
Chuck Schuldiner, born Charles Michael Schuldiner on May 13, 1967, in Long Island, New York, became the driving force behind Death, a band that would redefine the boundaries of extreme music. After moving to Florida as a child, Schuldiner found solace in music following the tragic death of his older brother. At just sixteen, he formed Mantas, the precursor to Death, and by 1987 released Scream Bloody Gore, a record widely regarded as the blueprint for death metal. While early works were raw and brutal, Schuldiner’s creative vision quickly evolved toward technical precision and progressive complexity, most notably with 1991’s Human and 1995’s Symbolic.
Not content to remain confined by genre, Schuldiner launched the project Control Denied in the late ’90s, exploring a more melodic and clean-sung approach while retaining his sharp compositional style. However, his career was cut short in 1999 when he was diagnosed with brain cancer. After a two-year battle, Chuck Schuldiner passed away on December 13, 2001, at the age of 34, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire metal musicians across generations.
Though often labeled “the father of death metal,” Schuldiner himself resisted such titles, preferring to be remembered simply as a musician dedicated to his craft. His influence is still deeply felt, not only through Death’s groundbreaking discography but also in the countless bands and genres his work helped shape. With Born Human, Decibel Books offers fans and historians alike an intimate portrait of a man whose artistry was as uncompromising as it was visionary.
You can order a copy here
