At some point, do I even have to do a review for certain bands? There’s a level that is achieved at some point that cannot be considered anything short of godhood in the consciousness of the public with the band’s reputation, discography, and talent unchallenged by the vast swathe of the rabble that flock to the sound. Hands down, Obituary has long been one such name. A legendary act in all regards, people like me aren’t able to bring any further glory to the band that they haven’t achieved already with me claiming any particular new album from them as excellent virtually guaranteed every single time. As such, is it any wonder that we’re able to be utterly dominated in every way by what’s been summoned forth for Obituary’s eleventh full-length album?

This is one of those albums that was always destined for wide recognition and praise purely because it was made by Obituary, but I implore you to look beyond that and see this album for what it is without Obituary’s history backing it up. What we’re left with still ends up being a massive slab of death metal that is worthy of vicious loyalty and worship the likes of which icons are deserving, and it’s immensely comforting knowing just that will happen even before “Dying of Everything” is brought unto the world. A vast wealth of knowledge and talent has yet again been forged in the studio with this being the first offering that we’ve received since Obituary’s eponymous record five years ago, and it’s more than evident at every turn throughout “Dying of Everything” that those five years were spent diligently in order to make this record easily one that demands to be considered among the band’s very best. It’s always tempting to say that about any new record from an iconic name, but every given factor about this album pushes you toward such a conclusion. From the reputation of Obituary itself to the unbelievably refined work of death metal that still manages to feel raw and unrestrained after all these decades to one of the most striking pieces from the late great Mariusz Lewandowski to every single track being the absolute definition of true head-banging glory, “Dying of Everything” simply must be held to the highest standards for it more than smashes any obstacle that can stand before its undeniable greatness.

As one of those bands that can move mountains with their very sound and compel vast swathes of people by the mere snap of their fingers, Obituary’s wild success here should not be a surprise in the least but it’s in every possible way that they still manage to find a way that creates a performance that is the very meaning of stunning. “Dying of Everything” is much of what we’ve come to expect from this band at this point, but in no way does that mean we should treat it anything less than what it is: apex mastery in the aural form.

“Dying of Everything” releases on January 13th via Relapse Records!

LISTEN to singles from “Dying of Everything” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Obituary on Facebook here.