publishing worldwide
Obituary is a pioneering death metal band from Tampa, Florida, formed in 1984. Original members drummer Don Hardy, vocalist John Tardy, and guitarist Trevor Peres have remained constant since 1986. Early releases, including Slowly We Rot (1989) and Cause of Death (1990), helped define the death metal template, blending crushing riffs, varied tempos, and Tardy’s distinctive growls.
After several lineup changes and a temporary hiatus following Back from the Dead (1997), Obituary reunited in 2004 to release Frozen in Time. Subsequent albums, including Xecutioner’s Return (2007), Darkest Day (2009), Inked in Blood (2014), and the self-titled Obituary (2017), garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, with chart placements in the U.S. and internationally.
The band continued releasing live albums and archival material, culminating in Dying of Everything (2023). With decades of influence, Obituary remains one of death metal’s definitive acts, known for relentless riffs, hypnotic tempos, and a legacy that shaped Florida’s extreme metal scene.