Two years after reforming after a 7 year hiatus, Florida death metal legends Obituary are back with their seventh full length offering entitled Xecutioner’s Return. While the title may not mean anything to newer death metal fans, it’s guaranteed to pique the curiousity of fans from "back in the day." When Obituary first formed back in 1984 they used the name Executioner and released the highly regarded Metal Up Your Ass demo, once they found out another band from Boston was using the same band name they switched names to Xecutioner in 1986 and recorded two more demos before changing their name to Obituary in 1988 prior to signing with Roadrunner Records and releasing the highly influential and highly regarded Slowly We Rot.

Obviously, by using the album title that they have they have a great deal of confidence that the new album is as good as anything they did 20 years ago and after listening to this album well over 50 times in the past week, I’m inclined to agree with them. Don’t misunderstand me, this isn’t a return to the sound they had 20 years ago, or even the song writing they had back then, this is a return to the energy and enthusiasm they once had.

The first thing that comes through in the music of Xecutioner’s Return is the sheer ferocity of the material. This doesn’t sound like guys in their 40s farting their way through lackluster material trying to cling to their former glory, this is a hungry band that’s bent on crushing their way to the top of the death metal food chain. I haven’t heard Obituary this heavy and pissed off since Cause Of Death!

The material on this album is what you’d expect from an Obituary release in the early 90s; bass heavy with thick chuggy riffs, simple solid drum patterns, raspy snarls and a production that kicks the bass to the max, but there are a few big surprises in store as well, most notably the solo fest courtesy of former Deicide, Death and Iced Earth shredder Ralph Santolla. Every track has a thick meaty rhythm that’ll get your foot stomping, your head thumping and your fist pumping plus a tasty solo that’ll leave you swaying to the rhythm. While the music is slow paced, it doesn’t become boring, repetitive and monotonous like, say, Six Feet Under, it remains catchy and fun throughout.

I have to admit that while 2005’s Frozen In Time was a good return album after their lengthy hiatus I was not expecting much from Xecutioner’s Return, but holy fuck am I glad I was wrong. If you’ve ever been an Obituary fan, especially any of their between the Metal Up Your Ass demo and World Demise do yourself a favor and go out and buy this album the minute it’s released in stores. While Obituary aren’t re-inventing the wheel with Xecutioner’s Return, they certainly have improved upon it greatly. This is the Obituary album I’ve waited 17 years for and I’m glad it finally came, I’m not going to say it’s their best, but it’s really damn close. This is old school death metal at it’s finest!

Written By: Teufel