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Class 6(66)
Obituary: Slowly we rot
24/07/09 || Khlysty
Introduction
It’s been 20 years since Obituary went on and irrevocably polluted the world with this incredibly ugly and unbelievably heavy record. Already, there were quite a few bands out there, who were doing death, but in my opinion, “Slowly We Rot” was the first record that really showed the world what death metal meant, what was its potential and how bad things were going to be from then on for anyone who thought that metal was going to extremes. If anyone abhorred bands like Slayer or Anthrax, when Obituary came, things like ugliness and extremity in music went on a totally different scale. I mean, there’s ugly and there’s uglier and then there’s Obituary. Fuck…
Songwriting
8. As simple –but not simplistic- and straightforward as it gets. Obituary chose to write slow and pounding riffs, bordering on dissonant, and just change speed from time to time. These riffs, taken one by one are nothing to really talk about. But when combined within the parameters of each song and within the parameters of the record, they become one of the most impressive and destructive first statements ever done in heavy music. To make it simple, think of Black Sabbath played by homicidal schizophrenics and you might get an idea of what “Slowly We Rot” sounds like.
Production
7. Ah, Scott Burns and his trademark “Morrisound production”. Well, in this case, the production’s not so typical. Obviously, the money wasn’t this much and some concessions had to be made. So, the guitar sound is a little bit muddy, the vocals are way up in the mix and the drum sound is a little bit iffy. But, taken as a whole, the sound of this recording is bottom-heavy and exactly as it should be; can you guess? Well, that’s right, it’s UGLY!
Guitars
8. Keeping in mind that the guitars are standard-tuned here, one cannot but admire how dirty and aggressive they sound. The rhythm work of Trevor Perez is simply sick, while Allen West’s soloing is clearly fucking demented. This is classic Tampa death metal sound and it don’t get better –or worse- ‘n that.
Vocals
9. Yes, John Tardy. Vocals like that of a guy stabbed in the belly, trying to vomit and scream at the same time. I know of many people who hate Tardy’s vocals, but I find them just fine for the music. Brootal to the point of unlistenability.
Bass
7. Daniel Tucker just did his job here, anchoring things and some such shit. He was OK and he left after “Slowly We Rot”…
Drums
8. Donald Tardy is not a six-armed monster, but he’s sick and groovy and that’s exactly what is right for the music. Also, he can rave things up when that’s needed. He’s fine and I like him.
Lyrics
8. “Fate. Rot Alone. Bludgeoning hell. / Finding their souls and returning to dwell. / Killing and bleeding tightened as one. / Killing the darkest rotting fate. / Rot all lesions”. Ha, poetry made flesh. Not that you’ll ever be able to discern even one word.
Cover art
5. I suppose that the painting style can be called “death metal naïf”. Or whatever…
Logo
9. Spiky, readable and iconic.
Booklet
5. Does what booklets do…
Overall and ending rant
Of all the early Floridian death metal albums, “Slowly We Rot” is the one that I come back to again and again. It’s simple, brutal, aggressive, ugly, groovy, heavy, sick… Hell, it’s death metal in all its sick glory and then some, warts an’ all. Also, it’s a watershed album for the style and one of the best things Obituary ever recorded. So, yeah, if one likes death metal, one cannot but love “Slowly We Rot”. Also, it’s twenty years old, so go buy it a birthday cake, OK?…
- Information
- Released: 1989
- Label: Roadrunner
- Website: www.obituary.cc
- Band
- John Tardy: vocals
- Allen West: lead guitar
- Trevor Perez: rhythm guitar
- Donald Tardy: drums
- Daniel Tucker: bass
- Tracklist
- 01. Internal Bleeding
- 02. Godly Beings
- 03. ‘Til Death
- 04. Slowly We Rot
- 05. Immortal Visions
- 06. Gates to Hell
- 07. Words of Evil
- 08. Suffocation
- 09. Intoxicated
- 10. Deadly Intentions
- 11. Bloodsoaked
- 12. Stinkupuss
