// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did the zombie ritual book say? "You must undead-erstand
| "Zombie Ritual" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Death | |
| from the album Scream Bloody Gore | |
| Released | 1987 |
| Studio | Los Angeles |
| Genre | Death metal |
| Length | 4:35 |
| Label | Combat Records |
| Producer | Randy Burns |
"Zombie Ritual" is a song by American death metal band Death, appearing on the band's 1987 debut album Scream Bloody Gore. It is considered a hallmark of the band's early discography.[1][2][3][4]
The song originally appeared on the band's Mutilation demo, released in 1986.[5]
Composition and lyrics
[edit]The song's structure contains a pre-chorus, according to Loudwire.[6] The song's lyrics detail a zombie attack, drawing influence from horror fiction.[7][8] Loudwire called it "horror-and-gore-lambasted".[5]
Legacy
[edit]In 2013, Loudwire said the song's intro was "perhaps the most familiar Death guitar lick."[6] In 2015, Loudwire included it in the site's list of the "top 10 songs about zombies".[9] In 2021, Ultimate Guitar named the track as among the heaviest songs of the 1980s.[10] Eli Enis of Revolver said the riff was "a fucking classic" in 2022.[11] That same year, Swedish rock band Ghost covered the song at a concert in Tampa, Florida.[11][12]
References
[edit]- ↑ Hartmann, Graham (June 6, 2013). "No. 5: Death, 'Scream Bloody Gore' – Best Debut Metal Albums". Loudwire. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
- ↑ Ramirez, Carlos (February 21, 2012). "Death, 'Zombie Ritual (Live)': Extreme Metal Legends Never Die — Premiere". Noisecreep. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
- ↑ DiVita, Joe (March 29, 2016). "Death's 'Scream Bloody Gore' Receiving Deluxe Reissue". Loudwire. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
- ↑ Hartmann, Graham (October 25, 2018). "10 Greatest Metal Songs of the 1980s (Year by Year)". Loudwire. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
- 1 2 Wiederhorn, Jon (May 25, 2023). "38 Years Ago: Death Start a Revolution With 'Scream Bloody Gore'". Loudwire. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
- 1 2 DiVita, Joe (July 18, 2013). "10 Best Songs by the Band Death". Loudwire. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
- ↑ Järvinen, Samuel (March 27, 2026). "Introduction to Death's Discography #1: The Beginning & Scream Bloody Gore". Chaoszine. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
- ↑ Hartmann, Graham (March 5, 2020). "The Secret to Metal Is Horror". Loudwire. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
- ↑ Jamieson, Don (August 13, 2015). "Top 10 Songs About Zombies". Loudwire. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Friday Top: 20 Heaviest Songs of the '80s". www.ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
- 1 2 Enis, Eli. "See Ghost Cover Death's "Zombie Ritual" in Tribute to Chuck Schuldiner". Revolver. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Watch: GHOST Pays Tribute To DEATH's CHUCK SCHULDINER At Tampa Concert". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. September 7, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2026.