Haunted (1995) - Six Feet Under

Haunted is the debut album by American death metal band Six Feet Under, released on September 26, 1995, via Metal Blade Records. Formed as a side project by vocalist Chris Barnes (formerly of Cannibal Corpse) and guitarist Allen West (of Obituary), the band also includes bassist Terry Butler and drummer Greg Gall. The album showcases a groove-laden death metal sound, distinct from the more technical styles prevalent in the genre at the time. 

Tracklist:

1. The Enemy Inside – 4:17

2. Silent Violence – 3:33

3. Lycanthropy – 4:41

4. Still Alive – 4:04

5. Beneath a Black Sky – 2:50

6. Human Target – 3:30

7. Remains of You – 3:22

8. Suffering in Ecstasy – 2:44

9. Tomorrow's Victim – 3:34

10. Torn to the Bone – 2:46

11. Haunted – 3:10 

Haunted received positive reviews for its heavy, groove-oriented approach and Barnes' distinctive vocal style. The album is noted for its straightforward, headbanging-friendly compositions and has been praised as a solid entry in the death metal genre.

Haunted by Six Feet Under, released in 1995, stands as a pivotal moment in the evolution of American death metal—not for its innovation, but for how confidently it distills the genre into something more primal, grooving, and accessible without compromising brutality. This album isn’t concerned with technical wizardry or overwhelming speed. Instead, it leans into mid-tempo riffing, thick atmosphere, and the guttural authority of Chris Barnes, whose vocal delivery on this record feels more deliberate and cavernous than in his Cannibal Corpse days.

From the opening of The Enemy Inside, there’s a distinct sense of brooding menace. The riffs are stripped down but effective, often locking into repetitive patterns that create a hypnotic, trance-like heaviness. Where many death metal bands of the time were pushing boundaries of speed and complexity, Haunted revels in restraint—using space and groove to its advantage.

Silent Violence and Lycanthropy are standout examples of this approach. The former’s chugging rhythm section supports Barnes’ roars, while the latter toys with a darker atmosphere, channeling the horror-inspired lyricism that would become a staple of the band's identity. Still Alive and Human Target continue this vein with a sense of confidence—the kind that comes from seasoned musicians who know exactly how to make a riff hit hard without overcomplicating it.

The production, courtesy of Scott Burns (the legendary death metal producer of Morrisound Recording), gives Haunted a thick, almost swampy quality. The guitars are low and murky, the drums are crisp but not flashy, and Barnes’ voice is pushed front and center, soaked in reverb and menace.

Tracks like Remains of You and Suffering in Ecstasy inject brief moments of speed, but even then, the band resists full chaos in favor of groove and head-nodding cadence. The title track Haunted closes the record on a hauntingly slow note, drenched in doom-like pacing that leaves a lasting impression.

This album is essential for fans of death metal who appreciate a less frenzied, more groove-heavy approach—an atmosphere of slow decay rather than explosive combustion. While Six Feet Under would go on to become a divisive band in later years, Haunted is a snapshot of a moment when a supergroup harnessed the essence of horror-laden death metal and made it crawl, stomp, and brood.