KAM LEE's MASSACRE to perform entire 'Death By Metal' demo from his pre-DEATH band MANTAS
06-01-2026
Kam Lee, who was a member of an early version of DEATH as well as the pre-DEATH band MANTAS alongside guitarist/vocalist Chuck Schuldiner and guitarist Rick Rozz, will perform live and re-record the entirety of the MANTAS‘s “Death By Metal” demo. As part of a significant music legacy initiative, Kam‘s post-DEATH band MASSACRE will bring to life the demo and other MANTAS classics, which have not been performed live for over 43 years. This endeavor aims to commemorate the foundational songs and music of the death metal genre.
“Massacre Plays Mantas Death By Metal Demo” is a powerful tribute to one of the most influential demo recordings in death metal history, featuring Kam — the original vocalist and drummer on the legendary “Death By Metal” demo. This unique collaboration brings together Lee and MASSACRE to perform the entire “Death By Metal” demo live, capturing the raw energy and primal intensity of the earliest days of Florida death metal. For the first time ever, fans will witness Lee revisiting this seminal work from his long and influential career, alongside MASSACRE‘s crushing sound.
The first show this year where “Massacre Plays Mantas Death By Metal Demo” will be performed will be the Kill-Town Death Fest XI, set to take place September 3-6, 2026 at at Pumpehuset in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Kill-Town Death Fest XI organizers said: “We are beyond elated to announce that Kam Lee and MASSACRE will be performing the MANTAS ‘Death By Metal’ demo for the very first time ever! Besides being the first performance of this legendary material that lead the way for the formation of DEATH, it will be the only performance worldwide for all of 2026! This will be a historical moment in death metal history, so be sure not to miss out!”
Lee commented: “I’m extremely proud of the material we’ve created. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently felt proud of the legacy and music that MANTAS and DEATH produced. These songs hold a significant place in the history and culture of death metal’s origins. I appreciate the collaborative work we accomplished and recognize it as a substantial part of my legacy, similar to those who contributed to its creation.
“As MASSACRE brings these classics to the forefront, our objective is to pay homage to this material through live performances and re-recordings, thus securing its lasting impact.
“I’m cognizant that my perspective won’t be universally shared, and some individuals may hold unfavorable opinions. However, I don’t invest time in trying to alter the opinions of those with preconceived notions about me, deeming it an exercise in futility. My primary focus is on showcasing this material in a positive light, leveraging the expertise of top-notch musicians to execute these songs impeccably.
“As always I thank my fans and those who have supported me throughout my journey all these years. Thank you!”
In September 2024 MASSACRE announced details of their fifth studio album, “Necrolution”, released on November 8, 2024, via Agonia Records. The LP’s first single, “The Colour Out Of Space”, came with a lyric video.
Watch the lyric video for “The Colour Out Of Space” below.
“Necrolution” is a retrospective, nostalgic album, that turns back time to the late ’80s and early ’90s era of death metal. Recapturing the essence and style of death metal that was the original formula. Recreating the aesthetic feeling of something from the original style and sound to represent to these modern times. It’s purposefully meant to sound dated as it represents an era of early death metal music. It purposefully does not mimic the band’s own original style but rather reflects the styles of many early era bands that influenced generations in death metal music.
Commented by Kam Lee: “With ‘Necrolution’ the idea was to evolve the band’s sound by devolving it. Unlike many bands in death metal that attempt to modernize and update their style and sound to emulate many of the modern contemporary death metal bands, we wanted to go back to the origin. The original sound and style. We wanted to make an album that sounds like it could have come out of the late ’80s. The entire concept was to create something that was a de-evolution of the death metal genre and go back to an early style reminiscent of the past. Going back 40 years into the past to immolate the style of death metal that was predominantly influenced by thrash and heavy metal bands of the era. Lyrically it’s still entrenched in the horror genre and influenced by H.P. Lovecraft stories. We even have three tracks directly dedicated and influenced by the director Stewart Gordon, the filmmaker who was directly responsible for bringing Lovecraft films to horror movies in the ’80s. The overall idea was to bring a 1980s aesthetic to the music that’s influenced by 1980s music as well as horror movie genre at the time. My hope is that fans find a unique experience when listening to ‘Necrolution’ that not only encapsulates the feeling of ’80s nostalgia but makes them appreciate the way the era influenced the death metal genre at the time.”
“Necrolution” was recorded at DOA studios, Full S Studios and Gojiden Studio in Florida (USA) and mixed and mastered by Jonny Pettersson at Studio Unbound in Sweden. The cover artwork was painted by Timbul Cahyono of Bvllmetalart. Mark Riddick (ARCH ENEMY, AUTOPSY, MORBID ANGEL) created the merchandise designs.
The recording personnel for the new album — much of whom have been with MASSACRE since the “Resurgence” era — comprises, aside from Kam Lee, original MASSACRE bassist Mike Borders, returning guitarists Rogga Johansson (PAGANIZER, RIB SPREADER, MEGASCAVANGER) and Jonny Pettersson (WOMBBATH, HEADS FOR THE DEAD) and new drummer Jon Rudin (JUST BEFORE DAWN, HEADS FOR THE DEAD, DEHUMANAUT). The band features a separate session lineup for live performances, which consists of Carlos Gonzalez (GRIM REALITY) on guitars, Elden Santos (DRUID LORD) on drums and Tim Wilson on bass.
Formed in 1984, MASSACRE started out as a heavy/power metal band, but changed its style to death metal with the joining of Allen West and Kam Lee. The latter is often credited for inventing the “death growl” — first heard on the band’s 1986 demo “Aggressive Tyrant” — and is considered an influential pioneer as far as the death metal genre is concerned. The group went through several personnel shifts and disbandments over the years — with its early lineup toggling between MASSACRE, MANTAS (early DEATH) and DEATH — to a triumphant return in 2021, with their last studio album “Resurgence”.
Track listing:
01. Fear Of The Unknown
02. Xenophobia (Prologue)
03. Ritual Of The Abyss
04. Ensnarers Within
05. Death May Die
06. Chasm (Prologue)
07. The Colour Out Of Space
08. In The Lair Of Legacy Leeches
09. The Things That Were And Shall Be Again
10. Xothic (Prologue)
11. Dead-Life: ReAnimator
12. Shriek Of The Castle Freak
13. Curse Of The Resonator
14. Horrors Of Hidden Truth
15. Shroud Of Shadows
16. Ad Infinitum: The Final Hour<
Recording lineup:
Kam Lee – vocals
Mike Borders – bass
Jonny Pettersson – guitars
Rogga Johansson – guitars
Jon Rudin – drums
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