Obituary – Inked in Blood (Review)

This is the US Death Metal titan’s 9th album.

Obituary are a true Metal institution and one that’s rare in that they sound just as good now as when they first appeared.

That’s not to say that they sound the same though, as they have experimented with their core sound over the years, to a greater or lesser extent.

Inked in Blood is heavy and largely mid to slow-paced. This, for my money, is always when Obituary sound at their best so I’m more than happy with what they’ve produced on this album. Faster parts appear of course, but Obituary have never played blast beat-fast so it’s all relative really.

The riffs sound instantly familiar without being tired and the entire album is like a happy reunion with an old friend. You may not see them that often any more but when you do you have a whale of a time. A big fat heavy whale.

The singer’s vocals are slightly lower in the mix than sometimes they have been in the past and this just makes the music seem even heavier. His vocals appear to be improving with age as they sound slightly less fluid and more venomous these days. In essence it’s the same voice as always of course, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Inked in Blood boasts strong songs that manage to sit right in that sweet spot between heaviness, groove and catchiness where all three elements of the Obituary sound meet.

Each song is recognisably Obituary without becoming same-y. The groove-based riffs are heavy as Hell and the slower more moody sections have surprising subtlety to them on occasion.

The production is solid and the music sounds immense when played at loud volumes, which I highly recommend that you do.

These Death Metal veterans have once more returned to the killing grounds to show the new guard how it’s done.

Behold Obituary.