LEFT TO DIE “Initium Mortis”

Relapse Records, July 17, 2026

Genre: Death/Thrash Metal
Website: Official Bandcamp Page
Duration: 25:37
Country: U.S.A.
Cool Songs: “Archangel,” “Witch of Hell,” “Rise of Satan”

LEFT TO DIE features ex-DEATH members Rick Ross (guitar), Terry Butler (bass) and GRUESOME members, Matt Harvey (vocals, guitar) and Gus Rios on drums.  Harvey is also known for his work in the Goregrind/Death Metal group, EXHUMED. LEFT TO DIE was created as a tribute to fans of early DEATH. The album “Initium Mortis” features a collection of early DEATH/MANTAS songs with a good production that wasn’t on their demos.

Hearing these demos done with a good production breathes new life into these tracks. “Initium Mortis” is a transitional album for DEATH as it conveys Thrash Metal roots. These tracks represent demos from ’83-’87, when Death Metal was really not a thing yet. POSSESSED coined the term “Death Metal,” however their sound was mired in Thrash. Much of the LEFT TO DIE’s album sounds like POSSESSED with a generous helping of early SLAYER. Even Thrash was a fledging sound in ’83, so Chuck and his early ensemble must have had their ears embedded in the underground.

 However, along with Harvey’s best impression of Chuck Schuldiner’s voice, one can hear pieces of music defining the direction Schuldiner took to not only define DEATH but laid the blueprints for Death Metal in general. Opening guitar riffs on tracks such as “Archangel” and “Rise of Satan” and the instrumental, “Zombie,” recall the guitar play Chuck became known for. SLAYER and POSSESSED are two of the more extreme acts in the early days of Thrash, which is the route DEATH/MANTAS took during these defining years. Not only do the guitar riffs recall early Thrash, but solos are more in line with SLAYER in their use of whammy bars complete with divebombs. While these tracks are mired in Thrash, Harvey’s voice seems to conjure the spirit of Schuldiner. Harvey shows his skill as a frontman during screams like the one in “Archangel.” Additionally, his voice has an echo effect on tracks like “Witch of Hell,” which adds atmosphere to this satanic number.

Even though these tracks were written 40-some years ago, they still hold up today. Sure, Death Metal meandered into more brutal territory, but I’ll say these songs are more accessible, especially for fans of Thrash. “Initium Mortis” is made for any fan looking to go back and visit DEATH’s early years.

Line-Up:

Rick Rozz-Guitars
Terry Bulter-Bass
Matt Harvey-Vocals, Guitars
Gus Rios-Drums

Tracklist:

1. Legion Of Doom
2. Archangel
3. Power Of Darkness
4. Zombie
5. Witch of Hell
6. Rise Of Satan
7. Summoned To Die
8. Mantas
9. Slaughterhouse
10. Death By Metal

Rate: 8/10