Terry Butler: A Death Metal Icon Reflects on Decades of Devastation and Dedication

Terry Butler has been crucial in defining death metal’s ferocious sound and uncompromising ethos. His career reads like a who's who of death metal royalty, having contributed his powerful bass lines to some of the most influential bands in the scene. From his formative years laying down the foundation for Death's groundbreaking album Spiritual Healing to his enduring presence in Obituary and his more recent return to his roots with Inhuman Condition, Butler’s journey is a testament to his unwavering passion for extreme music, his remarkable resilience in a demanding industry, and the enduring power of heavy metal to connect with audiences worldwide. His contributions have shaped the sound of countless bands and inspired generations of musicians and fans alike.

On a recent tour stop with Obituary, before the crowd's roar and the thunderous echoes of the stage, Butler graciously sat down with J. Donovan Malley for an insightful conversation. This candid discussion explored the depths of his extensive history within the death metal scene, offering a unique perspective on the genre's evolution and current state. Beyond the technical aspects of his playing and the historical context of his various projects, the conversation also delved into some surprising personal favorites and influences, offering a glimpse into the man behind the music and revealing the diverse inspirations that have fueled his enduring career.

A Storied Career in Death Metal

Terry Butler’s legacy is one of the most storied in the annals of death metal. He first picked up the bass in 1986, when the genre was still in its embryonic stages. Joining Death in 1989, Butler lent his considerable talent to Spiritual Healing, a landmark album in extreme metal. “It was such an exciting time,” Butler recalls. “The scene was exploding, and I was fortunate to be part of something groundbreaking.” His tight, rhythmic bass lines helped anchor the album’s complex arrangements, laying the foundation for death metal’s progression.

Butler's departure from Death led him to join Massacre, a band featuring Kam Lee and Rick Rozz, who had previously played in Death. This lineup proved to be a creative force, and their 1991 album, From Beyond, is considered a classic in the death metal genre. Butler's bass playing on the album is a standout, providing a solid foundation for the band's intense and chaotic sound. His contributions to Massacre's 1992 album, The Inhuman Condition, further solidified his reputation as a skilled and creative bassist.

In the mid-1990s, Butler joined Six Feet Under, a band fronted by former Cannibal Corpse vocalist Chris Barnes. With Six Feet Under, Butler's bass playing became more groove-oriented, complementing Barnes' distinctive vocal style. Butler remained with Six Feet Under for over fifteen years, contributing to numerous albums and solidifying his status as a prominent figure in the death metal scene.

Along the way, there have been smaller, though no less killer, projects, including Obliterhate, Living Monstrosity, Left to Die, and Denial Fiend.  This last band, Denial Fiend, has a connection to the city Butler is in tonight, Seattle.  For their 2011 release Horror Holocaust (released on John McEntee’s old label Ibex Moon Records, Denial Fiend joined forces with Seattle’s preeminent splatter thrash vocalist, Blaine Cook.  When asked if it was ever possible for Denial Fiend to release new material, Butler didn't rule it out completely, “ It's not dead and buried, but Sam (Williams), the guy who started the band, he's so busy with his other projects, and I've gotten really busy. We could probably talk to each other and say, ‘Hey, let’s do something,’ so maybe someday.”

Currently, Butler juggles bass duties with two main bands: Obituary, one of the genre’s foundational acts, and Inhuman Condition, a relatively new project. Obituary's Dying of Everything, their first album since 2017, delivered exactly what fans wanted: chunky, buzz-laden riffs and John Tardy's inimitable, gravelly vocals. The album provided ten solid tracks driven by groove-based compositions and Terry Butler's powerful bass lines. Meanwhile, Inhuman Condition sees Butler teaming up with Taylor Norberg and Jeramie Kilng to produce excellent Florida-soaked OSDM.  “Inhuman Condition are going to record new material,” Butler shared. “Yeah, actually, it's all been written. I just gotta record the bass when I get home, and then the mixing process, and then we figure out a release date.”

The Evolution of Death Metal and Its Fans

For Butler, the journey through death metal has been as much about the fans and experiences as the music itself. “One singular highlight moment is hard to pick out just because there have been so many amazing ones,” he says. “I mean, doing the Ultra Revenge II video in 1989, playing the first Milwaukee Metal Fest. Playing Wacken Open Air for the first time.”

The younger generation of death metal fans particularly inspires Butler. “I like seeing the kids get into it, screaming the lyrics, knowing the music. They're there to see you and all and experience the music you work hard on, so that's a definite high right there,” he says.

This multigenerational phenomenon has been a revelation for Butler and his bandmates in Obituary. “We were all just talking about that in Obituary. We really started seeing it maybe about five years ago. The people who saw you when they were 40 or 30 have kids, and now their kids have kids. So, we're two, three generations into this now, and they're bringing their kids because their kids heard them playing this music at home in their cars with their dad and mom driving around.”

Surprises and Sustained Passion

Despite his long tenure in the scene, Butler still finds himself amazed by his career. “The biggest surprise, I guess, is that I'm still doing it after 40 years,” he admits. “We never thought when we started playing death metal that it would be, oh, I'm going to make a living out of this. Death Metal is going to be my career. It was just like, hey, I'm in a band, and we're writing some cool music, and let's just play some live shit. So to still be doing it now and still be relevant is awesome.”

Even after decades in the trenches, Butler’s love for the music remains undiminished. “If I hear a good song or riff, that's still what I find amazing,” he says. “I'm more of an old-school dude: Hellhammer, Venom, early Slayer, and those bands. You know, that's kind of where I come from and what always connects with me. It just hits me!”

Life on the Road

Touring with a band like Obituary isn’t all grim riffs and growls. Butler describes the camaraderie among his bandmates as a highlight of life on the road. “What makes me laugh when I’m on the road?” he ponders before chuckling. “Usually hanging around with Ken (Andrews), our guitar player. I mean, he’s such a jovial dude that we always end up laughing at something.”

While the grind of touring can be exhausting, Butler’s enthusiasm for live performance remains undiminished. “It's awesome to be still playing death metal at this level this many years later,” he says. “It's amazing. And I just love playing.”

A Love for Neil Diamond?

One of the more surprising revelations from the interview is Butler’s affection for Neil Diamond. Yes, the legendary singer-songwriter behind hits like “Sweet Caroline” and “Cracklin’ Rosie”. Butler’s appreciation for Diamond underscores his broad musical tastes. “Neil’s music is timeless,” Butler says with a grin. “There’s something about his songwriting and storytelling, particularly his earlier stuff, that resonates. Maybe not what people expect from a death metal bassist, but good music is good music.”

Looking Ahead

As Terry Butler continues his journey, he remains as passionate as ever about the genre he helped build. Between touring with Obituary and crafting new music with Inhuman Condition, Butler shows no signs of slowing down. His legacy is secure, but for Butler, the absolute joy comes from continuing to create and connect.

“It's awesome to be still doing this,” he says. “To see the fans, to play the music—it’s everything. And I’m grateful every day.”

For a man who has spent nearly 40 years shaping death metal’s thunderous pulse, Terry Butler’s story is far from over. Whether onstage, in the studio, or sharing a laugh with his bandmates, Butler embodies the enduring spirit of death metal—relentless, passionate, and unyielding.