OBITUARY: DEAD

OBITUARY: DEAD

   Aside from a few very rare extraordinary exceptions, there aren't actually that many Death-Metal live albums worth mentioning. In fact, many would argue that actually Death-Metal falls somewhat flat on it's face outside the medium of studio recordings, or a physical live show. However, Obituary's "Dead" is one such exception to the rule. Recorded in a single night in Boston in 1997, Obituary's first live album is now back from the dead (hilarious pun very much intended) and in top shiny form thanks to a reissue from Listenable Records. 

   The only downside that some fans may find here is that having been recorded on the "Back From The Dead" tour, an album that a considerable percentage of Obituary's fan base don't hold in the highest of regards, "Dead" contains a sizable six tracks from the respective record. That said, these live renditions are performed with such staggering levels of energy and tight musicianship, that they actually sound far better than on the original studio recorded versions. Performances such as that of groovy doom opening track "Download", and the blistering "Threatening Skies" and "By The Light", are every bit as pummeling and crushing as back catalogue staples like the spectacular grand finale of "Slowly We Rot". 

   Thankfully, Obituary were careful not to neglect their previous full-lengths, with "Cause Of Death" classics; "Dying", "Cause Of Death" and "Turned Inside Out", as well as a much shorted homage to "Chopped In Half", all being aired in their old-school glory, with all the intoxicating riffage and delightful distortion of their original versions, only this time crammed with even more explosive energy. Elsewhere, "I'm In Pain", complete with Donald Tardy's eye-watering drum solo and the monolithic "Til Death" deliver maximum dismal Death-Doom goods flawlessly, making headbanging to their unbelievably weighty and ahead-of-time iconic riffs utterly irresistible.    

    This live album is one for the true fans and the die-hard patriots of the Death-Metal underground. There is very little (if anything) to fault here. Obituary are bonafide Death-Metal underground legends and Dead contains some of their finest sounding and perfectly performed tunes. There are moments here where you could be forgiven for almost forgetting that Dead is actually a live album and not just a "best of" complication, as aside from the occasional screams of the crowd and vocalist John Tardy talking between songs, many tracks are almost indistinguishable from their studio counterparts, but this is merely the result of good production and mixing, and brilliant performances. Overall, Dead is a hard hitting and thoroughly enjoyable slice of Obituary's (and Death-Metal's) history.  

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