Top Live Songs from 15 Major Death Metal Bands

Death metal fans have a lot to look forward to as 15 prominent death metal bands are set to perform their most played songs live.

Incredibly, death metal approaches its 40th anniversary in 2025 and continues to be one of the most consistent and beloved subgenres within metal. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to the variety it offers, spanning across various styles such as old school death metal, tech-death, melodic death metal, slam, brutal death metal, progressive death metal, and blackened death metal.

Right now, death metal is experiencing a particularly thrilling period. A new wave of artists, like Sanguisugabogg, Gatecreeper, 200 Stab Wounds, Frozen Soul, and Tomb Mold, is rising and making significant impacts.

As any metal fan knows, the 2020s have been marked by an unprecedented number of tours, creating ample opportunity for legendary acts to support and elevate the next generation of musicians. This vibrant scene ensures that extreme music will continue to thrive in the underground for many more decades.

Here, we’ll highlight a little over a dozen of the biggest names in death metal, focusing on their most performed song during live shows and the number of times each fan-favorite has been played. Using setlist.fm as a guide, you can see which hit tracks have dominated live performances by these influential bands.

All stats were last updated on Aug. 9, 2024.

Death metal enthusiasts can also explore a comprehensive playlist of ‘2000s Death Metal’ curated by Loudwire on Spotify for more heavy tunes.

Allowing both newcomers and seasoned fans to experience nearly four decades of unrelenting brutality, this milestone moment in death metal history calls for celebration and live appreciation. As the genre continues to evolve with new influences and fresh talents, it remains true to its roots of intensity and technical prowess.

Source: Loudwire