Obituary

Obituary is an American death metal band formed in Tampa, Florida, in 1984. Initially named Executioner, the band changed its name to Xecutioner before adopting the name Obituary. They are considered one of the foundational acts in the development of death metal. The band has released eleven studio albums and, except for a hiatus from 1998 to 2003, continues to perform live. The current lineup consists of vocalist John Tardy, drummer Donald Tardy, rhythm guitarist Trevor Peres, bassist Terry Butler, and lead guitarist Ken Andrews, with the Tardy brothers and Peres as the only consistent members throughout the band’s history. Obituary was influenced by bands including Hellhammer, Celtic Frost, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Slayer, Savatage, Nasty Savage, and Florida death metal acts such as Death and Morbid Angel. The band released several demos between 1985 and 1987, and made its vinyl debut on the 1987 compilation "Raging Death" with the tracks "Find the Arise" and "Like the Dead." The first studio album, "Slowly We Rot," was released in 1989. Shortly thereafter, lineup changes included the replacement of bassist Daniel Tucker with Frank Watkins and lead guitarist Allen West with James Murphy, who had previously played with Death. This lineup recorded "Cause of Death," released in 1990, which became one of the band's most influential albums and supported by Obituary’s first world tour. In 1991, Murphy left and was replaced by Allen West. The band recorded "The End Complete" in 1992, which was their first album to chart in the United States and Europe and included the music video "The End Complete," receiving airplay on MTV’s Headbangers Ball. Subsequent albums included "World Demise" (1994) and "Back from the Dead" (1997), the latter noted for incorporating elements of groove metal, hardcore punk, and the track "Bullituary," which featured rap influences. Obituary disbanded in 1998 due to exhaustion from touring and other commitments. During the hiatus, members engaged in other musical projects, including Donald Tardy touring with Andrew W.K., Allen West focusing on Lowbrow and Six Feet Under, and Trevor Peres forming Catastrophic. The band reformed in 2003 and released "Frozen in Time" (2005), followed by the live DVD "Frozen Alive" (2007) and subsequent albums "Xecutioner's Return" (2007), "Darkest Day" (2009), and the EP "Left to Die" (2008). The band worked on new material for "Inked in Blood," released in 2014, marking the first album without longtime bassist Frank Watkins since "Slowly We Rot." In 2015, Obituary toured Europe with Carcass, Napalm Death, Voivod, and Herod. Watkins passed away from cancer in October 2015. Obituary released the self-titled album "Obituary" in 2017 and followed with the eleventh studio album "Dying of Everything" in 2023, supported by North American tours. They have also performed at festivals including Sonic Temple in 2025 and Maryland Deathfest. A box set, "Godly Beings," containing the band’s first four albums, was released in 2025. Obituary is currently working on a new album, potentially scheduled for release in 2026 or 2027, and has planned tour dates in 2026. Obituary’s music is characterized by heavy, groove-oriented guitar and drum riffs combined with John Tardy’s growled vocals. The band is noted for slower, catchier compositions on albums such as "The End Complete" and "World Demise," contrasting with the faster tempos of other early Florida death metal bands. Their style integrates elements of doom metal with the intensity of death metal, contributing to a distinct and influential sound in the genre. Studio albums Slowly We Rot (1989) Cause of Death (1990) The End Complete (1992) World Demise (1994) Back from the Dead (1997) Frozen in Time (2005) Xecutioner's Return (2007) Darkest Day (2009) Inked in Blood (2014) Obituary (2017) Dying of Everything (2023)