Obituary
Cause of Death

THE REVIEW

1990: the golden era of Death metal had begun. Thanks to works of the caliber of Leprosy, Altars of Madness, and Consuming Impulse, the genre was growing and becoming popular, ready for an unexpected yet triumphant explosion. Born in Florida from the mind of Chuck Schuldiner, Death metal saw among its most illustrious bands the likes of Death, Morbid Angel, Deicide, and Obituary. The latter distinguished themselves from their renowned colleagues as the creators of a slower and more obsessive Death metal (if slowness can even be mentioned): it's no coincidence that in subsequent years we will see works with Doom influences (among all, The End Complete).

After a striking debut in 1989 (Slowly We Rot), the band attempted another strike the following year. After replacing guitarist Allen West with the legendary James Murphy (known for his collaborations with bands such as Death, Cancer, and Testament), the group retreats to the legendary Morrisound Studios in Tampa to record one of the most influential albums in the history of Death metal: Cause of Death. With the help of the legendary Scott Burns, the guys create a true masterpiece, where the standout feature is the majestic production dominated by guitars, with a granite and penetrating tone that would become the Obituary trademark.

The work is a concentrate of pure Death metal without many compromises: direct as a stone thrown between the eyes. Lightning-fast guitar riffs alternated with excellent sustained chords; impeccable and precise drumming (listen to the double bass acceleration in Turned Inside Out); rotten, inimitable, and sometimes unintelligible growl while the dear bassist of the moment just serves to make up the numbers. The album opens in the best way with the dark Infected, where we notice John Tardy's tendency to focus on three words: rot, die, kill (a bit repetitive...). The opener is followed by Body Bag, which continues in this style, albeit with a less damned rhythm. After these two excellent songs comes one of the band's most famous tracks, as well as of all Death metal: Chopped in Half, a claustrophobic song and a Death anthem, somewhat like a Maze of Torment. At this point, another great song: Circle of the Tyrants, a cover of Celtic Frost, here revisited in a faster and heavier key, as the style of this band dictates; undoubtedly one of the highest points of the album. The excellent cover is succeeded by Dying, a somewhat boring track that feels like filler. Fortunately, Find the Arise, a very violent and fast song, comes to revitalize it all. Now we reach the final trio, beginning with the title-track: seemingly slow rhythms that become faster to then fade into Memories Remain, a slow and tragic track, preluding a grand finale. Yes, because the album closes with one of the band's most famous tracks: Turned Inside Out, the best song of the album, not coincidentally placed at the end (dulcis in fundo...). This song is legend: the riffs are brilliant, the solo too, and then that damn pause that keeps you on edge before the music returns, this time with a killer riff, conceived brilliantly. A truly superior song, also for the performance of the Tardy brothers: John seems more inspired than ever, while Donald gives his best.

What else to add? Cause of Death is a homogeneous and well-played record, slightly different from conventional Death metal. I highly recommend it to lovers of the genre who have never heard it or to those who are getting acquainted with Death metal and are in search of a powerful and energetic work.