I would call it better than basalt, as in a BD145CS combo, Death has MUCH better numbers than Basalt against Vari, Blitz, Beat, etc. AND it defeats Basalt on top of that, so I would almost say it outclasses it...
though you are correct they are from two different worlds, where Death I would classify as pure/traditional defense, and Basalt I would say is more of a balance/hybrid defense, which is essentially what you said... different ways of trying to fill the same role, though I find Death fills in the cracks more proficiently
The First thing every blader should buy is MF and MF2... Metal Faces are necessary people!! Know them, Live them, LOVE them, find them on eBay if you have to, just get them!!!