Slowly We Rot

Obituary | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Roadrunner Records
• ASIN: B000000H89
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #214,696 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably the penultimate Death Metal album, September 12, 2005

By 

Zander Haberstaft (Miami, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Slowly We Rot (Audio CD)

When this came out in 1989 Obituary had quite a few demos under their sleeves. They were releasing demos under the name Xecutioner as far back as 1986. There was also something else Obituary had going for them -no one else sounded like them. As far as early Death Metal goes, and I have tons of demo tapes from this period, this album exemplifies everything a good band should have.

Shortly before releasing the great "Slowly we Rot" Xecutioner changed their name to Obituary, I suppose because they didn't want to get confused with the Thrash band (a good one at that) from Boston with the same name.

The guitar duo of Peres and West go from the slugdy slow heavy as all hell riffs to the lighting fast (in comparison to the verses) wild solos. The drumming ala Don Tardy is also very simple and goes from a mid-tempo to a slow thrashing of the high-hats, to hitting the crash cymbals to the breaking point. All of this is connected by the vocalist John Tardy's undeciferable signing and gutteral noises that make the music all that much more threatening sounding. I really hate most of the cliche Death Metal "cookie monster" vocals (as best exampled by Cannibal Corpse) but Tardy I could always admire. He just did it so well. It was the sound of decay coming forth from his throat.

The lesson of Obituary is a very good one. They could play fast if they wanted to but...They proved that to play really heavy music it was better if you played really slowly in order to emphasize the heaviness of it. Just like Black Sabbath had done a generation earlier, Obituary made into a science. They took the wild solos from mid 80s Slayer, the ferocity of S.F.'s Possessed, and the lessons from Black Sabbath, as well as their own stylings to create a totally original sound.

I'd say Death Metal started (and maybe ended) with Obituary, but most people ceed the title of king of Death Metal to Death mainman Chuck Schuldiner. But if he wasn't around in '89, Obituary would've been the undisputed kings. Take it from me, when this came there was nothing like it. The remastering is pretty good too. A must own.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate, March 2, 2006

By 

Paymahn Sadat-moussavi "peteY" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Slowly We Rot (Audio CD)

After over 15 years since I last heard their music, I decided to pick up this CD. It is the ultimate in true death metal. I don't even listen to this type of music any more, but I listen to this CD. For anyone new to the genre; don't start here... you will be dissapointed in anything else you listen to in the genre from here on out.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST!, April 24, 2000

By 

Eric William Blair (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Slowly We Rot (Audio CD)

I would actually give this CD 6 stars but it's not possible! This CD opens up with some echoes of demons growling or something then the band kicks in and "BLLLAAAAAUUGGG!"! Man, that part is a classic! This is an awesome release and the heaviest album ever laid down. Not cliched Death Metal but a wank-o-rama continuing guitar solo. More solos are found here than on CDs like Back From the Dead and The End Complete. The vocals aren't the usual Death Metal vocals but that of screaming mixed with growling. Very unique. The guitar tone is also very crunchy, down-tuned, heavy and unique. If you like Suffocation, Dismember, Master or Incantation, you will LOVE this CD! The guitarist, Allen West, can also be found on Six Feet Under's first 2 discs called Haunted and Warpath. Those discs also come recommended. They don't sound like Obituary at all, but they are "The AC/DC of Death Metal". Get this CD now!