Death Metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that emerged in the mid-1980s. It is characterized by its aggressive sound, featuring heavily distorted guitars, deep growling vocals, and complex song structures. The lyrics often explore themes of death, violence, and existentialism, setting it apart from other metal genres. Key bands in the Death Metal scene include Death, Cannibal Corpse, and Morbid Angel. The genre has evolved over the years, giving rise to various substyles, such as Technical Death Metal and Brutal Death Metal. Despite its extreme nature, Death Metal has a dedicated fan base and continues to influence many musicians today.