1432 - Pestilence Dehydrated 1989

The Netherlands' Pestilence is about as old school as death metal gets, forming in 1986 at first as a thrash metal band, before adopting a distinctly heavier style that would become known as death metal for their 1989 release "Consuming Impulse", considered by many to be their best work and a classic within the genre. The leads and solo’s of both Mameli and Utterwijk are perfectly written to serve the compositions, incorporating technique and aggression or atmosphere when needed. Shortly after we're introduced to vocalist Martin van Drunen; while he doesn't employ any of the vocal techniques such as gutturals that death metal is known for today, his style was clearly influential within the genre. His voice is hoarse, frantic and completely unhinged. He sounds like an insane religious fanatic reciting some forgotten scripture to an already-dead congregation. Around half way through, "Dehydrated" breaks down into a slower, mournful riff, while van Drunen whispers sneeringly into the microphone, before increasing in pace again to climax with the memorable line: "Without any water, you won't last // die in the desert, death comes fast," just as an excellent solo shrieks and finishes off the song.