Chuck Schuldiner’s Lost Madonna Cover Emerges After 25 Years

A previously unreleased instrumental cover of Madonna’s “Frozen” by Death frontman Chuck Schuldiner has surfaced online. The recording was made in 1998. It was discovered by Schuldiner’s nephew on an old CD-R.

The track offers a rare glimpse into the metal icon’s personal musical explorations. It was recorded during the early stages of his battle with brain cancer.

Intimate Recording Reveals a Different Side of a Metal Legend

Schuldiner performed the entire song on his B.C. Rich Stealth guitar. He used a drum machine for the backing track. His rendition faithfully follows Madonna’s original melody.

The performance transforms the pop song into a poignant, guitar-driven piece. It lacks the aggressive vocals that defined his work with Death. This intimate recording contrasts sharply with his established musical identity.

According to an Instagram post by his nephew Chris Steele, the recording was made in Schuldiner’s bedroom. Few people outside his immediate family and close friends had ever heard it. The discovery provides a new perspective on the artist’s creative range.

A Lasting Legacy Beyond Death Metal

Schuldiner is universally celebrated as a pioneer of the death metal genre. His band Death’s 1987 debut, “Scream Bloody Gore,” is a landmark album. He continued to evolve his sound until his death in 2001.

This unexpected cover highlights the diverse influences that shaped his musicianship. It shows an artist willing to explore beyond the boundaries of his primary genre. The recording adds a new, emotional layer to his enduring legacy.

The story was confirmed through family social media posts and reporting by Rolling Stone. The timing coincides with the upcoming release of an authorized biography, “Born Human: The Life and Music of Death’s Chuck Schuldiner.”

This lost Chuck Schuldiner Madonna cover provides a haunting and beautiful coda to his influential career. The recording stands as a testament to his artistic depth. It reveals the man behind the metal.

Thought you’d like to know-

How was Chuck Schuldiner’s Madonna cover discovered?

His nephew, Chris Steele, found the song on an old CD-R. Steele played it in his car and shared the moment on Instagram. He stated it was a recording few people had ever heard before.

When was this Madonna cover recorded?

Chuck Schuldiner recorded it in 1998. This was the same year Madonna released the original single. He was in the early stages of his cancer battle at the time.

Is this an official release?

No, the track is not an official commercial release. It was a personal recording shared publicly by his family. Its legal status for wider distribution remains unclear.

Does the cover feature any vocals?

No, it is a completely instrumental version. Schuldiner plays the song’s vocal melody on his guitar. The performance is both melodic and somber.

Why is this cover significant?

It shows a completely different side of a death metal pioneer. The recording demonstrates his musical versatility and personal taste. It connects two seemingly disparate artists in a unique way.