RAGINPIT MAGAZINE

Obituary - Frozen in Time
Release Date: July 19, 2005

Track Listing:
1. Redneck Stomp
2. On The Floor
3. Insane
4. Blindsided
5. Back Inside
6. Mindset
7. Stand Alone
8. Slow Death
9. Denied
10. Lockjaw

I remember back in 1990 when I was in high school, metal - especially death metal - provided a new sound that started to emerge. This new style of extreme metal provided a more gritty horror/gore sound that was a breath of fresh air to some, but for others, it convinced some people that Satan himself arose from the depths of Hell and joined us here on Earth. While most of my friends were listening to Bon Jovi and Poison and some of my harder-edged friends were listening to Metallica and Slayer, death metal started to become the new kid on the block. I was probably the only girl in my high school that listened to this new breed of music. Of course I was the devil worshipper in my high school and since I wasn’t the sheep that everyone wanted me to be, death metal fit me perfectly.

When I first picked up Obituary’s Cause of Death, I was blown away by the sheer speed, rapid fire chord changes, and progressions, not to mention John Tardy’s low vocal growls. I was a fan from then on.

I recently got wind of Obituary’s newest release on Roadrunner Records called Frozen in Time. So, of course I trot over to the record store and pick up a copy.

Just for the record, I do feel it’s important that we actually go and “buy” CD's and help support our bands out there trying to make a living, especially in this age of MP3's and hijacking of music.

While I popped the CD into my car stereo, I was talking to Edge (CEO of Raginpit) and I told him I had to go because what I was hearing required my full attention (sorry Edge, I hope you're not mad at me for hanging up on you). This CD absolutely requires a full crank of volume on your stereo and once I achieved the desired levels, I'll admit I felt like a bad ass. It commanded the attention of everybody and in the process I think I managed to scare some people senseless, but isn’t that the point of metal? ( I love freaking people out.)

The first track on the record is entitled “Red Neck Stomp.” I got the impression right away that these guys hailing from Florida are back with a vengeance and are set out to stomp your ass redneck style. "Redneck Stomp" has a mellow groove with a simple riff that permeates throughout the song. It’s a groovy instrumental tune you can bob your head to while you're cooking dinner for the kids. In layman's terms: nothing too over-the-top or complicated, but in true Obituary form, it delivers the goods. I’m not a complicated gal; I enjoy the simple things in life and this is just one of those things. I’m not so concerned with heavy multi-change riffing and complicated guitarist jargon. If it moves me, I’m digging it… simple as that.

Skipping over to track three is “Insane.” Now this is the song that grabbed my attention to this album and the Obituary that I like. We're talking a brutal assault of double bass kicks, shredding guitars and John just ripping up his vocal chords. Go on Obituary’s website and check out the video, it’s cool. If you hear this song live, a pit will form and a trip to the ER will follow.

I could review all the songs, but I’m going to limit my choice to 3. My final pick is “Back Inside.” I like how the song just starts off with the vocals blasting with this sort of echo effect, like there’s two people singing but actually there’s just one. Again, security in a club will be “working” while this song is playing because true moshers will be tearing it up to this song. I rate songs by their pit-ability and headbang-ability (a new word for Webster’s Dictionary). Again, a simple redundant riff throughout, but kicks butt.

To sum up this CD, if you’re a death metal fan, an Obituary fan, never heard of these guys, or are curious, go pick this up because it’s a testament and an homage to what these guys and their fans know. They are brutal, no holds barred, in your face, and old school. We must give them their props. Hail Obituary!

www.obituary.cc
www.myspace.com/obituary