Illegal Foreign Object

I am not a “death metal guy”. While I am happy to acknowledge the subgenre-stretching, boundary-exploding aspect of the music, it is, for the most part, not for me. In many instances, the penchant for horror movie-style gore and shock-fueled imagery is a bit much for me. Call me weak — I’m not interested in hearing anything called “Meat Hook Sodomy”.

There are exceptions within the subgenre: Entombed’s Left Hand Path, Death’s Symbolic, Carcass’ Heartwork, and Napalm Death’s Utopia Banished are unquestionable personal death metal classics. Another album that has always kept my head banging is Obituary’s 1990 release Cause Of Death. For personal taste, I tend to lean hard into lyrics and melody. Failing that, I need the thing to groove. Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon Obituary’s most recent album, Dying Of Everything, a record that delivers on all three necessities.

From the opening, Slayer-like assault of “Barely Alive” to the deliberate crawl through Hell of “Be Warned”, Dying Of Everything is 45 minutes of thrashy goodness. Perhaps that’s why I’m enjoying the album so much — it isn’t really a death metal album (despite Obituary being an unquestioned foundational band for the genre). Of course, longtime vocalist John Tardy barks, roars, and spews venom throughout. There is an anguish in his tone that is missing in most singers within the genre. As a bonus, I can understand what he’s saying (and he’s not singing about disemboweling priests, chasing nuns through a forest with an axe, or whatever other hokey, anti-religion vitriol that consumes much of the genre). Tardy’s brother, drummer Donald Tardy, beats his kit into submission. On “The Wrong Time” the drummer machine guns his way through a four-and-a-half minute instant classic, while on “Without A Conscience” he channels the waist-down talents (no, not those talents) of the still-living spirit of Chaos A.D.-era Igor Cavalera to thunderous, galloping success.

Lead guitarist Ken Andrews, Jr. is also in fine form, soloing his ass off throughout. His solo on “War” is a highlight, as is “Weaponize The Hate”. Rhythm player Trevor Peres may well be Obituary’s unsung hero — he’s a riff-writing monster (and has been for more than 30 years). He reportedly went into the sessions with around one hundred riffs at his disposal. As the writing began, the cream rose to the top. Peres’ buzzsaw riffage on the title track is hypnotizing. His tone, an obvious nod to his musical hero, Celtic Frost, is chunkier than Hearty Beef Barley. In a band with so much talent, it’s easy to forget bassist Terry Butler, but the veteran player has been the band’s backbone for a decade. On “My Will To Live”, Butler and Peres tackle one of the heaviest grooves you will ever hear, laying down a bedrock over which Andrews divebombs incessantly.

Obituary has been assaulting listeners for close to forty years. With Dying Of Everything, the band has released an album that not only stands alongside much of their output but head and shoulders above it.

Track List:

1. Barely Alive 9/10
2. The Wrong Time 10/10
3. Without A Conscience 10/10
4. War 7/10
5. Dying Of Everything 7/10
6. My Will To Live 8/10
7. By The Dawn 7/10
8. Weaponize The Hate 7/10
9. Torn Apart 7/10
10. Be Warned 8/10

Grade: 80