Obituary - Live Infection

http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Death Old School

I was wondering why James on guitar sounded the way he did and to conclude that wonder it's because Kenny Andrews was on lead. He had the effects down pretty good, but the technicality was waning. James was/is the master shredder either in Death, Disincarnate, Obituary and Testament. His quirky behavior was because like Chuck from Death, he had a brain tumor, but he recovered where for Chuck it was his demise. This 'Live Infection' album is about an hour long (CD version) and I still like it even though it's less technical than the original 'Cause of Death' release. And the change was because it wasn't James on lead (to me, at least), so it wasn't as listener friendly to Obituary fans.

Don't misunderstand me, this is a great CD, but the production quality was less than optimal. Four original members on this release, featuring Donald Tardy (drums), Trever Peres (rhythm guitar), Terry Butler (bass), and John Tardy (vocals).

I think that this release was optimal, but it could've been a lot better. Live albums are not as good as studio albums, with exceptions. Destruction's "Live Without Sense" as an exception, but that was a thrash metal compilation that supposedly "live."

This live album didn't get much feedback from listeners (only 1). When I first heard it, it was bringing me back to the 'Cause of Death' era, just not as good. But they still did a good job with their instruments. I just wish James was on lead. I always liked his creativity with the effects he uses and that vibe that comes out of his guitar. Kenny's OK, he plays on the modern Obituary albums, including 'Dying of Everything.' Obituary has always held this old school death metal sound. It's never really changed. That's what keeps the band "bad ass." And 'Live Infection' I still give them a "70" rating for. Mostly because of the sound of the instruments and aggression.

I really wasn't sure what to expect from this album since it wasn't 'Cause of Death' solely, it was Kenny Andrews that took over James Murphy's leads. There were bonus tracks, too, that made it into the killer sound that was a result.

The vocals, music and vibe of this album is the 'Cause of Death' sounding songs which makes it very listenable and brutal. They never changed their style of music, that was makes or breaks a band. I still felt that this was a "70" rating and will stick by that. Take a listen to this one! (Death8699)

(Relapse Records - 2022)
Score: 70

https://obituary.bandcamp.com/album/cause-of-death-live-infection

Obituary - Dying of Everything

http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Death Old School

This album has a 'Cause of Death' vibe to it. The music is quality riff-wise. And the vocals are vintage John Tardy-esque. I like both the riffs and the vocals the most. The production quality is different. It's kind of hollow which doesn't mean I'm scoring it lower. The riffs are fresh and the songwriting is totally Obituary. But yeah, the vibe is in the vein of 'Cause of Death'. But it's modern death metal with their own sound that they acquired in the late 80's-early 90's. A lot of their releases duplicate the previous but this one is a little different. The main difference is the sound quality. It makes it sound unique.

The songwriting is quality and the guitar riffs are catchy. I liked this whole album I thought that they have a lot to offer (still) and I think they have more full-length albums up their alley in the future. The music is pretty slow but chunky riffs. Definitely one of their better releases.

Check out the songs "By The Dawn" and "Be Warned." The rest are good but the latter one is totally from the vein of 'Cause of Death', absolutely. The music is definitely fresh and new with the taste of the old. But they didn't seem to duplicate past releases with a grim vibe.

Like I said, the sound quality is different but good. The music on here is very catchy and new. These guys are great with their quality music the whole way through. I like the music the most and the vocals are totally like they usually are. Overall, they did great! These guys are middle-aged but still excellent brutal metal. I liked the riffs and it sounds like they're in D tuning. Maybe a little bit lower on here. But they're thick and catchy. Those two tracks I mentioned are my favorites from this release. They rehashed 'Cause of Death' with the touches of their new material going in that direction.

I preordered this because it seemed to get positive press and they were right! I'm glad that I checked it out! (Death8699)

(Relapse Records - 2023)
Score: 77

https://obituary.bandcamp.com/album/dying-of-everything

Obituary - S/t

http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Death Metal

This is a solid album, not monumental like 'Cause of Death', but still a great effort by these Floridian based death metal veterans. I can say that they're still making good music! The songs are a little bit more up tempo than a lot of their older releases. A lot of energy here, and deathly vocals by John Tardy. I don't know, I liked them with James Murphy on lead guitar but that was just for maybe one album (COD). Their new members are still kicking ass in the lead department though. And the riffs are heavy and thick. Good stuff! Songs are a little bit longer than the usual Obituary but still killing it!

I liked the production quality on here. It's well mixed as well. Tardy's vocals just spew out utter hatred. The riffs are a little groove-laden, but cool. I like the songs on here and the approach. Really good songwriting style on here. And they seem to never lose the intensity or vibe to the songs. It's totally them on here unlike I felt 'Inked In Blood' was a little shallow. Here the production has it more solid than that release I mentioned. Not every song on here is fast but still quality. I liked the whole album all the way through they kick serious butt. The riffs are catchy and heavy as all hell! Death is now!

As I talked about the production and the quality it has than with previous releases, it really did the band good. All the tracks on here are sickly. Behind the set Donald does a good job as well. Both of the Tardy brothers sure as hell rip it up on here. Cannot mistake the Tardy voice though it's one of a kind! I like the song structures how they make way towards total noise annihilation. There isn't a song on here that I disliked. They all were good. A lot of double bass by Donald right alongside that tremolo picking in the guitar department. These Florida veterans are still making good music!

Check this album out on YouTube or just buy the physical CD. The album is worth buying. You get a better sound (to me) on CD. But to each their own. If this review hasn't convinced you to contribute to metal and to the band, then I didn't do my job on here. I'm not sure if this is available to Spotify users but Bandcamp they should be on. Support this band! Their death metal is right on and 30 years in making albums this one is a step up from some mediocre ones. (Death8699)

(Relapse Records - 2017)
Score: 73

https://www.obituary.cc/

Obituary - The End Complete

BACK IN TIME:
http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Death Old School

I like this album for many reasons. First, it's brutal and original. Secondly, no one has this type of sound on the guitars in metal except them. And thirdly, John Tardy's vocals are like no other. So on many accounts Obituary is a Floridian based original death metal act. The album here is dark and grim the atmosphere is quite intriguing as it's pretty dark. They have some good songs on here, I don't care what anyone says. They're unique and still getting established in the death metal world. This is what their 3rd LP and they're kicking major ass.

The guitars are riff-tastic and the leads are somewhat technical, not as much as with James Murphy on 'Cause of Death'. But still, the music and production are spectacular. I like the fact that this album is pretty slow. Don't know why people termed this album as being "lame." I thought it was a great effort by the band making original sounding music. I liked it the whole way through here. The drums kicked ass as well! The aggression is there too. No need to waiver for which Obituary is the best, just put on 'The End Complete' and you have an avenue that covers all aspects of death metal.

I think that the mixing was good as well! Everything about this album I like. I like the vibe. It definitely is an album to lift weights to in the background. It's got that much electric feel to it. I cannot believe people really thought ill of this album. I don't care I think the Tardy brothers and rest of the band did the death metal community justice with this album. Being that it was a follow-up for a hard album to top, but they came out with riffs that were fresh and music that was ultimately brutal. The guitars and vocals are what I like the most about Obituary. They really are unique from all respects.

I would venture to say here that because I'm biased and grew up on Obituary in the death metal scene that I say buy the LP. You'll get a kick out of it's originality and innovative guitar riffs. The production does it justice too. I think that they did a great job on here. I wouldn't ever say to play this album to go to sleep to even though at times it is slow but too brutal to get shut-eye to. It's just interesting to hear the music just flow. The riffs by the guitarists Trevor and Allen did a good job in creating amazing music that I should be playing more often. Definitely a kick ass release with all the way into the end you'll love 'The End Complete'! (Death8699)

(R/C Records/Listenable Records - 1992/2021)
Score: 85

https://www.obituary.cc/