Decibel Books Unveils Born Human, The Authorized Biography Of DEATH's CHUCH SCHILDINER

Decibel Books has officially announced the release of Born Human: The Life and Music of Death's Chuck Schuldiner, the first fully authorized biography of the legendary Death frontman. This landmark publication explores the profound legacy of Chuck Schuldiner, a pioneering force often credited as the godfather of death metal.

Written by acclaimed heavy music journalist David E. Gehlke (author of The Scott Burns Sessions and Turned Inside Out: The Official Story of Obituary), Born Human delves deep into the life of Chuck Schuldiner, his groundbreaking music, and his enduring impact on the global metal scene.

The book spans nearly 500 pages, including a 32-page color image gallery filled with never-before-seen photos, curated from the personal collections of family, bandmates, and close friends. The cover artwork is an exclusive creation by legendary artist Ed Repka, known for his classic metal album visuals.

Chuck Schuldiner emerged in the 1980s underground metal scene as the creative mind behind Death, a band that revolutionized the genre with their aggressive, technical, and often melodic approach. The musical vision of Chuck Schuldiner helped define and elevate death metal, influencing countless artists across the globe.

Born from a turbulent childhood, Chuck Schuldiner channeled his emotional struggles into a career that fused brutality with progressive complexity. Albums like Scream Bloody Gore, Human, and Symbolic remain seminal works in the genre. Yet Chuck's journey was not without its hardships, as he endured internal band conflicts, industry frustrations, and ongoing media scrutiny.

"We finally met someone and we came to know over time, David E. Gehlke, whom we could entrust with our closely guarded family secret; this being the inspiration to the painful journey of Chuck's music," says Chuck's sister Beth Welty.

"It is the culmination of different perspectives and experiences, not only from my family and myself, but from Chuck's friends, bandmates and countless people who were infused into his dynamic journey," offers Chuck's nephew Chris Steele. "Finally, there is an accurate and concise chronicle of the man, brother, uncle, son, partner and trailblazer that was Chuck Schuldiner."

In 1999, at the peak of his creative resurgence, Schuldiner was diagnosed with brain cancer. Despite a courageous fight, he tragically passed away in 2001 at just 34 years old. Born Human captures those final years with honesty and reverence, highlighting both his personal strength and the overwhelming support from fans and peers alike.

Pre-orders are available here. You can also check out a pretty lengthy excerpt of the book right here via Decibel.