Ex-DEATH/MASSACRE Bassist TERRY BUTLER On 'Toxic' KAM LEE: 'There's Absolutely No Way RICK ROZZ And I Are Gonna Ever Work With Him In The Future'

In a recent interview with Terry Palamara of Loud And Proud Italy, Terry Butler spoke about LEFT TO DIE's debut full-length album, "Initium Mortis", which came out on July 17 via Relapse Records.

LEFT TO DIE is the band featuring classic DEATH members Butler (also formerly of MASSACRE and currently in OBITUARY) and Frederick "Rick Rozz" DeLillo (ex-MASSACRE) paired with GRUESOME founders Matt Harvey (EXHUMED) and Gus Rios (ex-MALEVOLENT CREATION).

LEFT TO DIE performs most of the songs from DEATH's classic "Leprosy" album, along with cuts from DEATH's debut LP, "Scream Bloody Gore".

"Initium Mortis" pays homage to the brutal beginnings of DEATH with newly recorded versions of songs from the band's early catalog, including cuts from DEATH mastermind Chuck Schuldiner's pre-DEATH band MANTAS, which also featured Rozz and vocalist/drummer Kam Lee.

Asked if there was ever any talk of getting Kam involved with LEFT TO DIE, Terry said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET):  "Not at all. There is one trillion percent [certainty that] Kam will not be involved with LEFT TO DIE. I mean, I've worked with the guy, I've known him for 40 years. He's always toxic. Yes, he's talented, but he's too hard to work with. I don't know. His thought process seems to be not human, actually, sometimes. And, yeah, we can't work with him. Rick and I will not work with him. And whatever. It is what it is."

Butler continued: "He did play drums and sing on those [early MANTAS and DEATH] songs, but the best part of those songs on his part is the actual singing. Drums aren't the greatest, but, hey, that's what demos are.

"But, yeah, long story short — no, we never even gave it a thought, because we've all worked with him in the past, and there's absolutely no way we're gonna ever work with him in the future," Butler concluded.

Back in 2008, Lee was toying around with the idea of re-recording some of the earliest classics from DEATH and MANTAS with various guest musicians. At the time, he wrote in a social media post: "Like it or not... I'm as much a part of that history as Chuck was, and I wouldn't think to do anything to downplay his involvement in these songs. The simple truth is that most of the songs on MANTAS/DEATH's 'Death By Metal' demo '83/'84, DEATH's 'Reign Of Terror' demo '84 and DEATH's 'Infernal Death' demo '85 — and many rehearsal tapes released during this time — were both lyrically written be me, and sung by me. Yes, both Chuck and Rick wrote the guitar riffs, but I wrote the drum patterns to these songs and the lyrics to most of these tracks. That's the simple truth to it!"

Founded in 1984 by Chuck Schuldiner under the original name of MANTAS in Altamonte Springs, Florida, DEATH was among the more widely known early pioneers of the death metal sound, along with California's POSSESSED. Inspired by NASTY SAVAGE, DEATH was among the first bands in the Florida death metal scene. In the late '80s, the band was both a part of and integral in defining the death metal scene which gained international recognition with the release of albums by a number of area acts.

Schuldiner died on December 13, 2001 after a battle with pontine glioma, a rare type of brain tumor.

"Born Human: The Life And Music Of Death's Chuck Schuldiner", the fully authorized biography of the legendary DEATH frontman, was released in November 2025 via Decibel Books.

"Born Human", authored by accomplished journalist David E. Gehlke ("The Scott Burns Sessions: A Life In Death Metal 1987-1997", "Turned Inside Out: The Official Story Of Obituary"),features exclusive interviews, contributions, stunning new Ed Repka cover art and previously unreleased, hand-selected photographs from those who knew Chuck best. "Born Human" brings life to the dramatic story of the man who blazed an iconic path in metal music, laying the foundation for generations to come.

Fans can order their copy now at store.decibelmagazine.com.

Terry Butler photo credit: George Chalupa