Customer Reviews

Back From the Dead

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

1997's "Back From the Dead" was a step down from the past masterpieces that Obituary fans came to expect from "Slowly We Rot" and "Cause of Death". There isn't much diversity here, but the band's patented pummeling drum assault and John Tardy's great vocals save "Back From the Dead" from mediocrity. Opening track "Threatening Skies" is superb and an Obituary classic, while "Platonic Disease" and "Feed on the Weak" are solid. As a whole, the album is shorter than one would hope, and long time Obituary fans who grew up on the previously mentioned albums will be very disappointed here. New fans to the band are better off checking out "Cause of Death" and "Slowly We Rot" first before checking out "Back From the Dead", and hear first hand one of the greatest death metal bands of all time in their prime.

There is no doubt in my mind that Obituary are one of the greatest death metal bands of all time, this album however did not live up to the high standards that we usually hear from this group. To be honest I don't hate this album (they're always Obituary) but it sounds a bit "tired" and written too fast. Maybe after 3 years from their work before, the fans were asking for new material and the band was forced to write songs in a short period. I must say that this is their worst effort. The opening track "Threatening Skies" is quite fast but extremely simple and predictable...well, from this band you cannot expect some technical parts but I must expect better ones!! The following "By The Light" song tries to be more evil with the mid paced riffs in typical Obituary style; the goal has been achieved, but not completely being a bit boring but not bad; with a faster part in the middle. "Inverted" is in my opinion one of best songs here, with its strange, evil solos and a great fast part with a true fast solo. This song woke me up a bit, pure headbanging! The industrial atmospheres, which were featured in the great album World Demise unfortunately are gone away, and with them a part of the true, evil atmosphere that is a trademark for every Obituary album. I don't even want to say anything about "Bullituary" so I'll just leave it, seriously what were they thinking when they made this track. Anyway this is not a bad album, but it's too boring in some parts while some songs should be deleted from my and Obituary's mind (should I say which ones?!). Surely this is not like their works before or after it, and it's a good thing that they made a better comeback album after this with the brilliant Frozen in Time. John Tardy at vocals are still great and in tracks like "Platonic Disease", or the punkish "Download" his voice is powerful and always gives something more to the music, creating a sick atmosphere. "Rewind" was heavy, but a bit repetitive and sometimes the band is able to create the right doom atmosphere, while in other parts they sometimes sound abit boring like on "Feed On The Weak". I would have to say that it was an extremely average album but if your an Obituary fan then check it out.

I don't understand the lackluster reviews for this album because I definitely consider it as one of their better albums. Instead of the constant slow/doomy sound the band is known for, this CD is more fast paced which makes for a much better listen. As for John Tardy's vocals, I think they keep getting better as each CD is released (I can barely stand his vocals on 'The End Complete'!!) If you like their latest comeback release 'Frozen in Time' then I would recommend this CD without a doubt!

See, in my opinion, there's only so much you can do with the standard death metal formula. Traditional DM tends to get boring rather quickly, I think, and therefore I'm always on the lookout for bands who try to push the boundaries, either in terms of brutality or . . . something else. That's why I love Bloodbath's 'Resurrection Through Carnage', and that's why I love this album from Obituary. This is not just standard, tried-and-true DM, but it actually displays influences from the rather more punk side of extreme music. I can see why DM purists are eager to condemn this album, but for any open-minded devotee of extreme music, this ought to be mandatory listening.

This CD does not belong in the same room as Cause of Death or World Demise...it does not belong in the same City.THey tryed to make a catchy hardcore death metal albumn but they failed.It almost seems like they rushed this record just to finish their Contract and move on to other things.The riffs are choppy and Boring.The drums are not up to par.And even Tardys vox seem off.If you are buying an Obituary CD for the first time Get any one but this one.This is Obituarys swan song...they broke up after the tour for this CD,and maybe that was a good idea....

this is excellent the song threating skies has ya banging your head wantning to get mosh pit going that great a cd ..death metal never sounded so good this is a excellent death metal cd one the best i have heard in ages .great songs download ,inverted,and threatning skies..they are by far a superior metal band in general they sound excellent when you turn it up loud and rock the house with this release .obituary fans get this metal fans get this everyone needs to have this its awesome. cya

I guess since Allen's other band SIX FEET UNDER made it, he decided to totally take over the music for this OBITUARY album. Allen West's music is kindergarden metal. His riffs are so simple and boring to listen to. Trevor Peres is the better guitar player and should have done more of the music on this album. I've only listened to this album once and I've cast it aside (far aside). There are two songs I can tolerate on this album, and I know they were written by Trevor. The difference between Allen's music (how dare I even call it music, shame on me), and Trevor's riffs is like day and night. Allen west has probably never even taken one guitar lesson. Don't waste your time, don't waste your money, and long live James Murphy. See ya.

I don't know why the people that reviewed this album earlier gave it bad reviews. Back From the Dead is typical Obituary and sounds like their previous albums while still progressing. My favorite song is probably Lockdown, but i also think the Bullituary remix is very interesting because many death metal bands don't have the GUTS to make a hip hop/death metal song. This cd ranks right up there with "World Demise". Also, i think Alan West should focus more on Obituary and less on Six Feet Under, because SFU is just a Cannibal Corpse rip off and aren't nearly as good as Cannibal Corpse is. Obituary is insane!!!!! Hail Death metal!!!!!!

I dont like is as much as "Cause Of Death" or "World Demise",but let me tell you,"Back From The Dead" pounds,its a killer cd,John Tardys has some KILLER vox,the riffs are simple,but HEAVY,the drumming is KILLER,Standout songs "Inverted" "Threatening Skies" "Back From The Dead",But yeah,buy it,like I said,not the best Obituary,but ... GOOD!

It would appear that most reviewers below me are reviewing the Obituary CD "Back From The Dead" which was a studio CD. I would think it was an amazon mixup because I can't believe 21 people confused this album "Dead" with "Back From The Dead" but I suppose its possible.

Anyway, This is a great 16 track live album that fits right in with The End Complete, World Demise and Back From The Dead in terms of high sound production quality. Meaning the drums sound so perfect they sound like drum machines. The guitar riffs are so clear that they lack the brutality of Slowly We Rot and Cause Of Death.
But I don't care. I like everything Obituary does. They are like a death metal AC/DC. Almost every every album sounds the same. But I like what I hear so thats ok.

So this is a live album....John Tardy's voice is strong through out. I find his voice to be one of the most unique in death metal actually. The band is nearly perfect throughout. If you ever wondered how Cause of Death and Slowly We Rot songs would sound with post World Demise era production values. Well this live album will give you a good idea. You lose the brutality those songs had, for the most clear distortion you'll ever hear. But thats sorta what most Obituary is all about. Simple, well produced death metal. The crowd is not a big part of this recording, don't expect a sing along. Its your usual. They cheer before and after songs. Thats it. Don't expect much in the way of live improv. They play the songs as you expect to hear them. The album is dominated with "Back From The Dead" era songs. Makes sense because this was recorded during the Back From The Dead Tour.

If your still an obituary fan through their change from brutal death metal to a more slick and perfect death metal from 92 all the way to the reunion albums. Then this album should fit in just fine. Heck if the audience wasn't there, it would be basically a re-recorded best of.