Obituary
Don't Care

THE REVIEW

Hot, infernal heat in the last few days; I need Death Metal more than ever. And today, Obituary is here; one of the very first bands to delve into these abominable sounds. They formed in Florida, specifically in the city of Tampa, already in the first half of the eighties. Before this single, they were the authors of three albums that were nothing short of malevolent, profound, and dark: "Slowly We Rot," "Cause Of Death," and "The End Complete." Three masterpieces, no doubt about it.

In July 1994, after a recording break of over two years, they released the EP I am reviewing. A triad of tracks that serve as an appetizer to the album "World Demise" which would come out in September of the same year; they once again relied on the production of Scott Burns. A character who needs no introduction for those like me who appreciate these particular sounds.

A cover image that recalls "Animals" by Pink Floyd; with one obvious difference. Here the chimneys emit an excessive amount of industrial smoke that darkens the already bleak sky. They frame the band’s black and sharp logo that dominates the polluted scene from above.

The spectral abyss of "Don't Care" opens the ordeal; it's the slobbery howl of John Tardy that kicks off the track. The instruments build a terrifying sound wall around the leader. A mid-tempo with gigantic movements, featuring a piercing guitar solo; until the finale where the song suddenly halts; watching the official video is recommended.

We continue in the same manner with the lengthy "Solid State"; always controlled, dense, flegmatic sound. Then suddenly comes the awaited turn, the awaited acceleration that overwhelms. The speed becomes overwhelming, exaggerated with vocals that take on inhuman forms; the drums become whirlwind-like and the guitars sketch phrases reminiscent of Slayer.

One more song and we are in sight of the finish, in front of the gates of Hell: "Killing Victims Found," another boulder of primitive power and sidereal speed. An intensely black, compact sonic magma that destroys everything in its furious stride: welcome to the haunted world of Obituary.

Ad Maiora.