[2] In 1987, Schuldiner founded the publishing company Mutilation Music, affiliated with performance rights organization BMI.

[6] Schuldiner was originally inspired by Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and classical jazz,[citation needed] among a wide range of other influences he was exposed to through his parents.

[citation needed] Schuldiner cited progressive metal bands such as Watchtower, and Queensrÿche as influences in a 1991 interview, as well as Kiss[7] and Coroner.

[citation needed] Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Mercyful Fate and Raven were among the bands that he claimed as influences in a 1993 interview.

She stated he played his first live show at age 15 in a park near the family's residence in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

[10] Taking inspiration from Nasty Savage,[11] Schuldiner formed Mantas (which he later renamed Death) in 1983 when he was 16 years old.

With Chris Reifert, Schuldiner eventually released the first Death album, titled Scream Bloody Gore, in 1987.

He continued with 1988's Leprosy with the line-up of former Mantas guitarist Rick Rozz and rhythm section Terry Butler on bass and Bill Andrews on drums, and 1990's Spiritual Healing, where guitarist James Murphy had replaced the fired[citation needed] Rozz in 1989.

Schuldiner had also fired his manager Eric Greif but settled and re-hired him before the recording of his next, influential release.

[13][14] Death's breakthrough album, Human saw the band evolving to a more technical and progressive style, in which Schuldiner displayed his guitar skills more than ever.

He announced the following year that he had broken up Death and would focus on his new progressive metal band, Control Denied.

[16] Schuldiner played lead guitar on a tribute track to Randy Rhoads called Hardly A Day Goes By with his Control Denied bandmates Chris Williams on drums, and Scott Clendenin on bass, as well as Craig Sease on vocals.

[17] He secured a record deal with Nuclear Blast in 1997, but the label required that he release another Death album before Control Denied.

As a result, The Sound of Perseverance was released in 1998, followed by the Control Denied album The Fragile Art of Existence the next year.

[18] Control Denied also had other players from the latest Death album but featured Tim Aymar, a melodic metal vocalist, as well as DiGiorgio.

Grohl, Napalm Death, Ozzy Osbourne, and Anthrax all increased efforts to raise funds for Schuldiner's medical bills.

[20] Schuldiner had experienced "extreme neck pain" in early 1999[21] and was diagnosed with pontine glioma that May, on his 32nd birthday.

Many artists, including Kid Rock, Korn and Red Hot Chili Peppers, got together during the summer of 2001 to auction off personal items, with the funds assisting Schuldiner's medical expenses, an effort covered by MTV.

[26] Other artists that supported Schuldiner during this time include Dave Grohl, Napalm Death, Ozzy Osbourne, and Anthrax.

"[6] Control Denied drummer Richard Christy said "It was inspiring to see somebody going through something so hard and still playing guitar and writing music.

[citation needed] A legal battle began from the time of Schuldiner's death on the settlement of the rights to the partially completed second Control Denied album, When Man and Machine Collide, which was recorded in 2000–2001.

Former CKY frontman, Deron Miller, who considers Schuldiner an idol of his, got the idea, while working on various projects with former Death guitarist (and pituitary tumor survivor) James Murphy, to do a tribute album.

[37][better source needed] The Live in Japan release was cancelled as it was planned without the "knowledge" of Chuck's estate.

Jane Schuldiner told Guitar World in 2006, "I receive many emails from young fans 11 years old and up.

"[41] Joe DiVita of Loudwire assessed, "Early on, his ravenous approach was biting and mid-ranged, arcing with eviscerating highs that have been imitated by countless others [...] Later on, Schuldiner’s voice would become even more intelligible, marked by higher tones.

"[43] Schuldiner's lyrics on early Death releases drew on slasher film-style graphic violence.

"[53] Bradley Torreano of AllMusic said "Chuck Schuldiner's brand of heavy metal opened the doors for a genre that had only been hinted at by efforts from Slayer and Venom.

"[27] Schuldiner himself was not fond of the title,[54] remarking that "I don't think I should take the credits for this death metal stuff.

"[10] Despite the grim nature of his band, Schuldiner has been quoted as saying he's "a lover of life ... friendship, and animals" and that "I would like to live forever if it were possible".