Creatively, the allure of traditional metal was a powerful beacon. Schuldiner’s idea was to infuse old-school metal with the concussive force of death metal and the melodic possibilities of prog.

Death mastermind Chuck Schuldiner died on December 13, 2001. It’s nearly unfathomable that was 20 years ago. Time is a flat circle and nothing matters. This Sunday, December 12, one day shy, Death ...