Oh Wyvern, I know you're no fan of death metal, silly....
Well believe it or not I had a death/grind metal "phase" which coincide actually with the first efforts of bands like Obituary, Death, Sepultura, Cannibal Corpse, Transmetal, Gorefest, Entombed, Pestilence, Napalm Death, Carcass, Righteous Pigs, Malevolent Creation, Benediction and so.
I was already teaching in the university and some students and friends alike feed me all this stuff, I still have videos of some of these bands on old VHS tapes somewhere.
Now for many bands if you take off the vocals, you have to recognize the quality and power of the instrumental work. Most people believe this are guys who doesn't know how to play and it's the opposite look at Chuck Schuldiner (RIP), James Murphy, Ed Warby, Mike Ammott, Sean Malone all masters of their instruments, all in death bands at one point.
But eventually you outgrow those times
BTW, love your new avatar. Clint is DA MAN!
NP: Arabesque - 'Naked'