Death Symbolic

Originally released in 1995, Symbolic is the sixth studio album from Death and one of the defining works of progressive and technical death metal. Led by guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Chuck Schuldiner, the album pushed the band's increasingly sophisticated approach to extreme metal into new territory, combining formidable musicianship with memorable riffs, intricate arrangements and a greater sense of melody.

Following Human and Individual Thought Patterns, Symbolic continued Death's evolution away from the raw brutality of their earliest records. Tracks such as Symbolic, Zero Tolerance, Crystal Mountain and 1,000 Eyes balance aggression and technical precision with complex structures and Schuldiner's increasingly introspective lyrics, exploring themes of personal growth, mortality, perception and the loss of innocence.

The album features an exceptional line-up of Chuck Schuldiner on guitar and vocals, Bobby Koelble on guitar, Kelly Conlon on bass and Gene Hoglan on drums. Hoglan's powerful, highly technical playing is particularly integral to the record's sound, underpinning Schuldiner's increasingly adventurous compositions.

Produced by Jim Morris and Chuck Schuldiner and recorded at Morrisound Recording in Florida, Symbolic has grown in stature to become one of Death's most celebrated albums and an enduring landmark in extreme metal, influencing generations of progressive, technical and melodic death metal bands.

This 2025 vinyl reissue and repress brings this essential Death album back to LP.