Besides being one of my favourate child hood bands, Obituary, are one of the most influential bands in death metal history, the lads began their journey in 1984 in Tampa, Florida. Originally formed under the name Executioner, the band would go on to define a genre and lead a movement that placed Florida at the epicenter of extreme metal.
The Birth of a Band: Executioner and the Tampa Metal Scene
Musically Obituary feature some heavy as hell riffage provided by Trevor Peres and backed by the solid as f–k drumming of Donald Tardy. Over the top of this lies the tormented vocals of John Tardy (yes brothers) howling about having his internal organs removed. Musically, the trio form the core of Obituary and have been part of the band since inception. The band formed in 1984 under the name Executioner, drawing inspiration from bands like Slayer, Celtic Frost, and Venom but eventually re-branded to the name OBITUARY. At the time, Florida’s underground scene was growing, with bands such as Death, Morbid Angel, and Deicide emerging around the same time.
From Executioner to Xecutioner
After gaining traction with underground demos, and I have to say I have a couple of tracks the band released as Executioner on a compilation record, it was obvious the band had some huge potential. As is so often the way now days the band realized another act had already claimed the name Executioner. They rebranded as Xecutioner and released a 1985 demo that marked a turn toward heavier and darker musical themes. The addition of guitarist Allen West brought a distinctive sludgy tone that would become part of Obituary’s trademark sound.
Becoming Obituary
In 1988, the band adopted the name Obituary to reflect their evolving musical style. That year, bassist Daniel Tucker joined, completing the classic lineup. Their music took on a more ominous, doom-inflected feel. John Tardy’s guttural, and utterly demented non-lyrical vocal delivery was a radical departure from traditional metal singing. For me it was hard to get my head around at the time, but someone (and it may have even been John Tardy) explained death metal vocals as “not so much singing but another abrasive instrument desisgned to compliment the music” and from that point onwards, for me it made sense. John’s style of vocals soon became iconic in the death metal scene and genre-defining as far as death metal vocals in Heavy Metal went.
Signing with Roadrunner Records and Recording Slowly We Rot
Obituary’s growing underground reputation caught the attention of Roadrunner Records. In 1989, they entered Morrisound Recording—a studio synonymous with Florida death metal—to record their debut album Slowly We Rot. The album’s raw analog production, crushing riffs, and primal vocals helped establish it as one of the earliest and most iconic death metal records.
Tracks like “Internal Bleeding” and “Godly Beings” showcased the band’s slow, heavy riffing and chilling atmosphere, setting them apart from the more technically focused peers in the genre.
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For a more complete review of Obiutary’s album Slowly We Rot be sure to read our review here |
Obituary’s Role in the Florida Death Metal Movement
Obituary quickly rose to prominence as part of the Florida death metal scene, alongside bands like Death, Morbid Angel, and Deicide. Their approach—emphasizing groove, atmosphere, and brutality—made them a standout act. While other bands leaned into speed and complexity, Obituary favored a more primal, doom-influenced heaviness that gave their music a distinct, graveyard-like ambiance.
Legacy and Influence
Following the success of Slowly We Rot, Obituary released several acclaimed albums, including Cause of Death (1990) and The End Complete (1992). Their consistent sound and loyal fan base helped them weather the changing tides of the music industry. Today, they remain one of the most respected bands in extreme metal, with a legacy that continues to influence generations of musicians worldwide.