Chuck Schuldiner is considered one of the most influential musicians in the history of extreme metal and the "father of death metal". His contribution to the development of the genre and the formation of new sounds is enormous! He was the first to bring the technical elements of jazz to metal and use complex rhythms and harmonies.

Chuck Schuldiner started playing guitar at the age of nine. His sixteen-year-old brother died in an accident after being hit by a car.
His parents bought Chuck a guitar, believing it would help him get through his grief. Once the guitar was in Chuck's hands, his old acoustic was forgotten. Chuck immediately began to master the instrument, and, having acquired an amplifier, he never stopped playing and writing songs again. He would disappear into the garage playing guitar all weekend long.

Schuldiner has described himself as a "lover of life", "friendship", and "animals". "I would like to live forever if it were possible," he once said in an interview. He usually spoke out against artists who were "losing control" by being negatively affected by the death metal scene. Schuldiner openly denounced stereotypes about metal musicians, such as hurting people or hating life.

When asked about his opinion on the afterlife, Chuck replied "I don't know" but clarified that "this is hell" and that "demons are in people because they create evil".

In May 1999, Schuldiner began experiencing pain at the back of his head, which was initially recognized as a pinched nerve.
On his birthday, May 13, 1999, Chuck Schuldiner was diagnosed with pontine glioma, a type of brain cancer that affects the brainstem, and Chuck immediately underwent radiation therapy.

In October 1999, it was announced that the tumor had died and that Chuck Schuldiner was on the road to recovery. In January 2000, Chuck underwent surgery to remove the remains of a malignant tumor. The operation was successful, but the Schuldiner family was completely exhausted financially. The total cost of the operation was about 70 thousand US dollars, and they could not pay this price. Chuck was not immune, as he only signed with independent record labels. But even having insured, he received a refusal from doctors to operate on him. Numerous charity events, auctions and concerts were held to cover the expenses. The money began to come in from private individuals, members of the metal community, who were shocked that Chuck Schuldiner's life was in danger. Many were afraid to understand that Chuck could die only from a lack of funds and the indifferent attitude of doctors to his health. But the doctors who operated on the tumor reported that the initial diagnosis was wrong. In May 2001, two years after the initial diagnosis, the cancer returned. During this time, Chuck continued to work with Control Denied on music.

He refused medical care, which he needed immediately, due to lack of funds for treatment. Appeal to all who can help brought some results, but still it was not enough. Jane Schuldiner, Chuck's mother, urged anyone reading his health reports to "go out and insure" not to experience the bitterness of disappointment and powerlessness like her. The medications taken by Chuck, like most used in the treatment of cancer, were very potent, and extremely weakened his body. Chuck Schuldiner fought fearlessly, but in late October - early November, he fell ill with pneumonia, which dealt the final blow to his body. He died December 13, 2001.