Kam Lee, a pivotal figure in the earliest days of Florida death metal, is set to revisit one of the genre’s most important artifacts. Lee — who was part of the pre-DEATH band MANTAS alongside Chuck Schuldiner and Rick Rozz, and later appeared in an early incarnation of DEATH — will perform and re-record the entire Death By Metal demo with his post-DEATH band MASSACRE.
The project, titled Massacre Plays Mantas Death By Metal Demo, is designed as a tribute to the formative songs that helped shape death metal as a genre. The original Death By Metal demo, widely regarded as one of the most influential demo recordings in extreme metal history, has not been performed live in over four decades. Now, more than 43 years later, Lee will return to the material as the original vocalist and drummer on the recording, bringing these foundational tracks back to the stage for the first time ever.
The first announced performance of Massacre Plays Mantas Death By Metal Demo will take place at Kill-Town Death Fest XI, set for September 3–6, 2026, 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!”
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.