| Xecutioner originally formed in 1984. One of a handful of bands from Florida, along with the likes of Death, Morbid Angel and Deicide that created a new style of music at the time…namely death metal. While grouped into this genre, Obituary definitely kept their originality, opting out of the high-speed guitar assault and Satanic lyrics. Instead, guttural screams and brutal bare-basic riffing kept this band fresh. The new moniker chosen was Obituary (Desecration was used for a short time between Xecutioner and Obituary) and their first album came in the form of "Slowly We Rot" in 1989, a death metal milestone at the time. The album set the record straight for what was expected of this band and what they could deliver. Brutal, in-your-face, gripping death metal with a heavy groove. And just when the death metal underground had caught their breath from the "Slowly We Rot", Obituary unleashed their next album "Cause of Death" again locking up their reign of the US Death Metal scene. This album featured guitar-work by the well-travelled musician known as James Murphy (Disincarnate, Death, Cancer). Jump ahead two years to the release of "The End Complete". This album was the one that garnered much of the acclaim of the band and showed them at the top of their game. John Tardy’s vocals became a bit more understandable, but at the same time fierce and the overall better production only aided in making this album essential. In 1994, "World Demise" was unleashed to the masses and again the band benefited from better production and overall improved sound. This is personally my favorite Obituary offering. Unfortunately, it looked to be their last. The world heard nothing from the band in 3 years before "Back From the Dead" was released in 1997. This last album was created as a reminder that Obituary was one of the most groundbreaking bands in the death metal genre and have never compromised musically. This was a farewell album for Obituary and no new material has been brought about since. There was, however, a live LP released in 1998 named "Dead". This same term could now be used to describe the band itself, leaving a huge void in the death metal scene. This band has always been at the top of my list of death metal. Their music is so basic, but at the same time so powerful. They are also a big inspiration to many of the new school hardcore bands out there now. Tell me you can’t hear hints of Obituary in bands like Hatebreed!!! They were playing this style in the late 80’s, only difference is they had long hair. In 2001, Roadrunner plans to release "Anthology", a retrospective of their ten year career as death metal masters! Over ten years, half a million albums sold and almost 500 shows later… Obituary close the coffin on a decade of death. |
