After the underwhelming 'Xecutioner's Return' (2007), Obituary are back with a new EP. The EP runs for only 20 minutes and contains 4 songs, out of which only 2 are original material: 'Left to Die' and 'Forces Realign'. The other two songs are 'Dethroned Emperor', which is a Celtic Frost cover and then there's a remake of a classic Obituary song – 'Slowly We Rot'.

With 'Xecutioner's Return', the band had an idea of the type of sound they wanted to achieve, but the failed miserably with the execution of that idea. They wanted to go back to the 'Slowly We Rot' era (1989), when Obituary were making fast and ugly death metal. With this new EP (which is actually just a preview of the next album, I think), Obituary try to tap the magic that made 'Cause of Death' (1990) a landmark death metal album. The Celtic Frost influences, which were missing in 'Xecutioner's Return', are now back and are more prominent than ever before.

'Left to Die' and 'Forces Realign' are both mid-tempo and atmospheric, just like the songs on 'Cause of Death'. The two tracks wouldn't have sounded out of place in 'The End Complete' either. The cover of 'Dethroned Emperor' is the best track in the album, and it is also much better than Celtic Frost's interpretation of the song. The 'Slowly We Rot' remake is decent but has a sour aftertaste.

Ralph Santolla and Trevor Peres work well together and Donald Tardy is as solid as ever, but its John Tardy's vocals that let the band down. Ever since Obituary have re-united, John Tardy's vocals seem powerless and... Boring. The raspiness in his growl is gone and he sounds like an old man trying too hard to do a proper death growl. Gone are the days of his powerful and spine-chilling vocals that peaked in 'Cause of Death'. I hope he sounds better on the upcoming full length.

Anyways.. It's a decent EP, and is, from a musical perspective, a return to form. John's vocals leave a lot to be desired though. I recommend this to anyone who was disappointed with 'Xecutioner's Return'.

Rating: 7.2 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by MegaHassan
11/16/2008 14:13