Cause of Death
Obituary · 1990
52 min · 12 tracks · death metal
A relentless barrage of guttural growls and thunderous riffs, encapsulating the raw brutality of early death metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Chopped in Half — This track exemplifies Obituary's signature heavy sound combined with catchy riffs, making it a fan favorite and a staple in their live performances.
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Cause of Death — The title track showcases complex rhythms and lyrical themes of mortality, representing the album's overall aesthetic and thematic depth.
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Infected Start here — Opening with an aggressive intensity, this song sets the tone for the album while demonstrating the band's ability to combine brutality with melodic elements.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's intense structure and dynamic shifts contribute to its standing in death metal, though it has some uneven pacing.
What we noticed
- The first five tracks maintain a relentless tempo with aggressive guitar riffs and guttural vocals, establishing a heavy atmosphere.
- Tracks feature abrupt transitions between sections, often shifting from fast-paced verses to slower, crushing choruses.
- The album includes two instrumental interludes that serve as brief pauses amidst the intensity, creating a dynamic contrast.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- heavy, intense atmosphere
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Helped establish Obituary's reputation in the death metal genre.
- Career context
- Released on September 19, 1990, 'Cause of Death' was Obituary's second studio album, following their influential debut 'Slowly We Rot.' At this point in their career, the band had solidified their place in the death metal scene, carving out a signature sound that would influence countless bands to follow.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Cannibal Corpse· Deicide· Dying Fetus
Tracklist
- 1 Infected Start here 5:35
- 2 Body Bag 5:49
- 3 Chopped in Half 3:45
- 4 Circle of the Tyrants 4:26
- 5 Dying 4:30
- 6 Find the Arise 2:51
- 7 Cause of Death 5:39
- 8 Memories Remain 3:44
- 9 Turned Inside Out 4:59
- 10 Infected (demo) 4:16
- 11 Memories Remain (demo) 3:34
- 12 Chopped in Half (demo) 3:45
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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