“We’re doing what we’re having a good time doing. And if we don’t have a good time doing it, we’ll find something else to do.”
So bespoke Obituary drummer Donald Tardy in a 2023 interview with Invisible Oranges, echoing the sentiments of his brother and Obituary vocalist, John Tardy. The quote perfectly captures Obituary: At its core, being in Obituary is fun. John, Donald, alongside co-founding rhythm guitarist Trevor Peres and crucial late-career additions Terry Butler (bass) and Kenny Andrews (lead guitar), have forged a 40-year career doing what they love, which is playing death metal. It is as simple as that. The band doesn’t chase accolades or social media adulation. And Obituary truly doesn’t care about the latest trends. Instead, across 11 studio albums and countless live shows, Obituary has steadfastly stuck to its guns by playing some of the heaviest music known to man, accumulating a loyal fanbase across the world.
Obituary launched in 1984 as Executioner. After catching wind of another outfit named “Executioner,” a name change to “Xecutioner” was in order. It was followed by the band’s inclusion in the pivotal 1987 Raging Death compilation. Word quickly circulated through the metal underground of Xecutioner’s unrestrained heaviness, particularly John Tardy’s vocals. A deal with Dutch label Roadrunner Records was signed in late 1988 that coincided with a name change to Obituary. Slowly We Rot was unleashed upon unsuspecting ears in May 1989.
Obituary is built upon brotherhood, friendship and music—three unbreakable bonds. From the garages of Brandon, Florida, to the big festival stages of Europe and beyond, Obituary has never lost sight of what matters: a prime recipe for longevity.
“I love the idea of creating music for people that are not in my town or not even in my state or country, that is not just waiting for us but rooting us on,” Donald told me in 2023. “It’s bigger than us. Obituary is part of people’s lives.”