A Metal Homage to Chuck Schuldiner
On the 1st of September 2002, a group of dedicated local musicians came together to pay tribute to one of metal’s most influential figures, Chuck Schuldiner. The event, aptly named The Death Tribute Concert, took place at Strings, Bahar Ic-Caghaq, and was a heartfelt homage to the late Schuldiner, who had passed away from cancer less than a year prior.
Steve Lombardo Attard played drums for all the songs and later reflected on the experience, recalling, "At the time, the mammoth task of playing those songs seemed doable, kind of. One can imagine their complexity, and also the difficulty to organize rehearsals with so many musicians in a time without mobile phones." Despite the logistical challenges, the musicians managed to perform twelve songs from Death’s discography, covering at least one track from each of the band's albums.
The event featured an impressive lineup of performers:
Drums: Steve Lombardo Attard
Guitars: Owen Grech, Adrian Camilleri, Robert Go-Away Agius, Malcolm Gulu Callus
Bass and Vocals: Ronald Rex Grech, Charlie Ic-Chal Saliba
Bass: Steven Muliett, Matthew Gedim Sammut
Vocals: Ray Zammit, Joe "l-Ghawdxi"
The setlist included some of Death’s most iconic tracks:
Scavenger of Human Sorrow
Spirit Crusher
Story to Tell
Misanthrope
Perennial Quest
Overactive Imagination
The Philosopher
Flattening of Emotions
Spiritual Healing
Pull the Plug
Choke on It
Zombie Ritual
Beyond being a tribute to Schuldiner’s music, the concert also had a charitable aspect. Lombardo noted, "It was also done for charity, we made Lm135 (entrance was Lm1) and we donated it all to Hospice Malta." Promotion for the event was primarily by word of mouth, and the sound and lighting setup was a DIY effort. Despite these challenges, the concert was a success, with each musician giving their all in performing Schuldiner’s complex and technical compositions.
Fortunately, a video recording of the event has survived, though its original recorder remains unknown. Lombardo has since uploaded the footage to YouTube, inviting those who attended to relive the experience and urging anyone with additional recordings or photos to share them.
As Lombardo aptly quoted Chuck Schuldiner on the night: "Savor what you feel and what you see, things that may not seem important now, but may be tomorrow..." (Symbolic).
About Chuck Schuldiner
Charles Michael Schuldiner (May 13, 1967 – December 13, 2001) was an American musician and a pioneering figure in death metal. He co-founded the Florida-based band Death in 1983 and remained its only continuous member until his passing. Initially a guitarist, Schuldiner took on vocal duties in 1985 after the departure of Kam Lee. His impact on the metal scene was profound, with Kerrang! describing him as "one of the most significant figures in the history of metal." His contributions to the genre earned him a place among Guitar World’s 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists and he was ranked No. 10 in Joel McIver’s book The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists.
Schuldiner’s legacy endures through his music and the devoted fanbase that continues to celebrate his work. The Death Tribute Concert stands as a testament to his influence, bringing together musicians and fans in a shared passion for the underground metal scene. The entire performance can be viewed here.
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