Obituary - Slowly We Rot
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Getting it right the first time means it's only downhill from there. On Slowly We Rot, which turned 20 yesterday, Obituary not only found their sound, but nailed it shut. The record answered the question of what Celtic Frost would sound like playing death metal. Grumbling trudges, thrashy rave-ups, and whammified solos formed half the album. John Tardy's vocals made up the rest. Only Martin van Drunen and early Chuck Schuldiner were as vicious. This record had it all - great riffs, great songs, great performances, great sound. Morrisound productions were hit or miss; this one was a bull's-eye. Sludge and speed made a beast with two backs. The title track's tolling bell evoked "Hells Bells." Touches of flange gave "'Til Death" extra morbidity. Since Slowly We Rot, Obituary have chased its holy grail with various lead guitarists and production approaches. The results have been reminders of how the first time was the best.
Labels: anniversaries, clee, death metal, usa
9 Comments:
I'm partial to 'Cause of Death' because of the better cover, and because of Chopped In Halfghh. Feel your blood spill from your mougthh. Rotting ways to destinyfggghhhh. Feel your soul taking over, bleeeeddddgggthhh
i did the album, but i always thought it had too much high-end/treble in it...didn't stop me from digging it immensely though.
Cause Of Death is it for me. The best. And their post retirement re-invention of themselves is damn good too.
By the way, your photo of the S.W.R tape: what's the backdrop for the photo? a kilt? Your bedspread? A flannel pair of Skidz? The lining of your Kiss coffin?
The opening to Slowly We Rot has miles more "atmosphere" than 90% of black metal being played today.
That's stretching it a bit but yes, even just *thinking* about it gives me goosebumps. My favorite Obi-album has always been World Demise, probably because of the combination of the catchy songs and the filthy groove. Haven't heard it in a while though, and it clearly lacks the atmosphere of the first album, but I tend to favor songs over atmosphere.
One of the first death metal albums I bought, on tape of course. Still kills, twenty years on.
The photo isn't mine. Given the backdrop, it is perhaps by Blues Saraceno.
Now this is an anniversary worth noting!
SWR is easily one of my top 5 dm albums, and definitely Obituary's best. If an alien came to Earth and asked me what death metal is, I'd quickly give it this album (you know, assuming the alien could hear our earth sounds).
I'm still waiting for the lyrics though ;-/
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