In 1994, with grunge in full flow, it was the sight of John Tardy, cavorting in a pool of toxic waste in the video for ‘don’t care’, the caustic single from ‘world demise’ that was capturing the attention of extreme metal fans. Its parent album was a blistering body of work that, whilst not reaching the truly devilish heights of 1989’s ‘slowly we rot’, packed a visceral punch but which also marked the beginning of the end for the band with just one more record – 1997’s ‘back from the dead’ – ironically appearing before the band split. It would be eight long years before Obituary would return with the double whammy of ‘frozen in time’ and the subsequent live DVD, ‘frozen alive’ sending death metal fans into a frenzy. Parting with long-term home Roadrunner records, Obituary released two records under the Candlelight banner – ‘Xecutioner’s return’ (a reference to Obiruary’s original name) and ‘Darkest day’, the latter being notable not only for being particularly well-received but also for being the last record to feature bassist Frank Watkins (whom had played in the band since ‘Cause of death’) and Ralph Santolla, the guitarist who joined in 2007, replacing Allen West. Whilst such shifts are not unusual in a band, the departure of two key members (now replaced by Terry Butler (bass) and Kenny Andrews (guitar)) as well as another label jump (Obituary are now signed to Relapse records) could have derailed a lesser band, and yet the live performance at Bloodstock this year highlighted just how much passion, aggression and energy the band still exude, whilst new album ‘inked in blood’ is not only a statement of intent, but a stark challenge to all the young death metal bands out there to step up to the plate if they only dare. ‘Inked in blood’, to put it simply, sees Obituary stride once more to the top of the death metal pile, picking their teeth with the still-bloodied bones of their devoured enemies. It’s a brutal, thrilling piece of work that not only stands tall amidst the band’s back catalogue, but which easily matches it in terms of sheer inventive, malicious power.
Opening with the brief ‘Centuries of lies’, there is no build up, no subtle instrumental introduction, just a feral leap into the unknown with John Tardy leading the charge with his oh-so-familiar roar. Thirty years have done nothing to blunt John’s fury and the band switch between verses that drip with punk aggression and death metal passages that positively exude violence. Having wasted no time dispatching the opening track, ‘violent by nature’ slowly fades in with throbbing riffs and echoing screams before going at the listener like a deranged pit bull terrier, John’s unhinged vocals ably backed by the band who turn in a particularly bruising performance. Produced by the band themselves, the album is hellishly intense and yet suitably clear with each instrument represented with admirable clarity. One particular beneficiary of this is Terry Butler whose bass is given a great deal of heft and power. Next up is the slow burning ‘pain inside’, a malevolent, doomy number that bodes ill from the moment Kenny Andrews and Trevor Peres unleash hell with a series of increasingly frantic riffs. There’s a menacing aura that hangs heavy over the whole disc, and as John’s vocals stack up on top of one another the atmosphere becomes positively cloying. As if we hadn’t already encountered enough nightmarish visions regarding the content of John’s head, ‘visions in my head’ adopts a brutal groove that is irresistibly evil. A dark, potent view of misanthropic malignancy made flesh, it’s the sort of thrillingly brutal death metal that sets the heart racing as the band summon the sulphurous odour of hell with their viciously tight performance.
Despite having a title that makes it sound like an 80’s hard rock ballad, ‘back on top’ proves to be classic Obituary, delivered with unholy conviction and packing the sort of ferocious punch you’d expect from a band just starting upon their journey into the world of the extreme. As short, sharp and punky as the previous track is mired in huge doom-laced riffs, ‘violence’ is a neck snapping blast of high-octane death metal delivered at the speed of light and offering Kenny a fine opportunity to deliver a spite-laced solo that comes blazing from the speakers. The title track is up next and it revels in slowing things down to a viscous crawl that perfectly underpins John’s decaying rasp. Clearly the arrival of new blood in the Obituary camp has lit an almighty fire under the band because the malicious glee with which each track is ground out knows no bounds, but even so the title track is a particularly stand out moment. ‘Deny you’, a mid-tempo killer, announces itself amidst a wail of feedback, only for the monstrous ‘within a dying breed’ to truly drag the listener to the depths with its sludgy riffs grinding into your very soul. As if conscious that time is running short, the band unleash a fast, furious blast of toxic thrash on ‘minds of the world’ which sounds like Anthrax on steroids. Another firm favourite is the immense ‘out of blood’ which just captures the listener and refuses to let go, blowing its reeking breath into your face as its clawed fingers dig ever deeper. The knock-out blow, however, is the relentless concluding track, ‘paralyzed with fire’, which sees the band unleashing a barrage of double-bass-drum fury, biting solos and scarifying riffs. It’s a conclusion that will leave you wanting more, and it’s hard to believe that fifty minutes have passed so potent is the band’s force that the album passes in the blink of an eye.
Obituary have one hell of a legacy to live up to. One of America’s finest and most revered death metal bands, Obituary have crafted what is easily the finest of their post-reunion records. Kenny Andrews’ lead guitar work is impressive throughout, Donald Tardy, as ever, a solid sticksman and Terry Butler fits in on bass as if he’s always been there – no easy task. The star of the show however is John Tardy. There’s something about his furious roar that makes it instantly recognisable and on ‘inked in blood’ he delivers an inventive and ever-impressive performance. Obituary will never make concessions, will never attempt to operate outside of the genre template that they themselves designed and never let down their legion fans – ‘inked in blood’ is above and beyond the call of duty and it stands proudly amidst the band’s own near mythological canon demonstrating the dark fire that still burns brightly in the band’s heart. Whilst those outside of the extreme metal community need not apply, if you love heavy music with depth and power this is without doubt an essential addition to your collection. Obituary have once again shown themselves to be the undisputed masters of their violent art.
Special Edition
The special edition offers little extra in terms of packaging – a mere six panel digi pack, albeit spot varnished to make the gruesome artwork stand out alongside a sticker – but the two bonus tracks definitely are worth having. Of these ‘intoxicated’ is another full-tilt blast into the depths of depravity complete with blistering solos and an instrumental coda that sees the band experimenting with tempos and riffs so magnificently chunky they could be hewn from the living rock. Closest in mood to the brilliant ‘redneck stomp’ from ‘frozen in time’, it’s an awesome display of the band’s blistering firepower. ‘Bloodsoaked’, meanwhile, is a short, devastatingly fast inal shock that will leave the listener breathless. A bludgeoning pair of tracks, both ‘intoxicated’ and ‘bloodsoaked’ neatly expand the album without detracting from its power, although it’s arguable that ‘paralyzed with fear’, an indisputable highlight from the record, makes the better closer overall. Nonetheless, the two bonus tracks are a most welcome addition and well worth shelling out the extra pound for.
