Obituary is an American Death Metal band formed in October 1984 in Tampa, Florida in the US, under the name Executioner. Then changed the name’s spelling to Xecutioner before eventually changing their name to Obituary in 1988. The band’s current lineup consists of vocalist John Tardy, lead guitarist Kenny Andrews, rhythm guitarist Trevor Peres, bassist Terry Butler and drummer Donald Tardy. Obituary has gone through several lineup changes, with Peres and the Tardy brothers being the only constant members. The band was a fundamental act in the development of death metal music, and is one of the most successful death metal bands of all time.
Their The End Complete album is crowned the best selling pure death metal album ever released, selling over 100,000 copies in the US, and over a quarter million worldwide. Also, the new Obituary logo (as can be seen on The End Complete) has been considered Roadrunner‘s best selling shirt print in its history.
I have seen this band in the early days in a small club and it was brutal. In fact, it was my first death metal gig so I can’t wait to hear this after being a fan for all their career.
The opener is “Brave” starts with a meaty riff and blood-curdling vocals. It’s maybe a little less death metal than I expected and more thrash like. “Sentence Day” is in the same vain and it feels like listening to old school Slayer but as we all know that’s not a bad thing.
“Lesson in Vengeance” is a great song with awesome guitar work and is bound to get you banging your head in approval. “End It Now” is much more brutal and has some great vocal work. A song to get the mosh pit active.
“Kneel Before Me” has some brilliant drum work and some great chord changes in the guitar work as well as an awesome solo. “It Lives” follows and starts with a menacing growl which is through the whole song and I like it. It darkens the song and takes you to a dark place which is what you want along with the chugging guitar work.
“Betrayed” opens with a brilliant riff and is a really good track very Sepultura like. I like the direction the band a going in. “Turned to Stone” is a slow grind, stomping song with those growling vocals at its best, fantastic!
“Straight to Hell” continues in the same way, a doomy track with dark vocals and some dark lyrics. We finish up with “Ten Thousand Ways to Die” another blood churning riff and exceptional guitar solo gives a final tick in the box. Not one bad track on this album!
If you like Death Metal with dark vocals and chugging guitar work, this is for you. If you liked the last Obituary record, you will love this one equally the same, a great heavy record. Give it a try if you have never heard the band, you will be pleasantly surprised.
Mark 9 out of 10
Colin Francis
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