Released 12 years ago this October
Inked in Blood
Obituary · 2014
57 min · 14 tracks · death metal
Raw, aggressive riffs collide with guttural vocals, driving the relentless energy of death metal forward in visceral intensity.
Top tracks — play these first
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Centuries of Lies — This opening track sets a blistering pace for the album, encapsulating the raw energy and thematic darkness that permeates throughout. Its fast tempo and aggressive riffs immediately draw listeners into Obituary's world.
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Inked in Blood — The title track serves as a powerful centerpiece, combining haunting melodies with crushing riffs that exemplify Obituary's signature style. It effectively showcases the band's ability to blend aggression with atmosphere.
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Violent by Nature Start here — This track highlights Obituary's lyrical exploration of brutality and human nature, backed by relentless instrumentation. Its catchy refrain contrasts sharply with its heavy themes, making it memorable and impactful.
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Paralyzed With Fear — With its lengthy arrangement and dynamic shifts, this track exemplifies the band's mastery over composition within death metal. The interplay between slower sections and explosive outbursts showcases their depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Inked in Blood showcases strong songwriting and production while remaining cohesive within its genre.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent tempo, with most tracks maintaining a fast pace and aggressive energy throughout.
- Guttural vocals are layered over heavy guitar riffs, often using palm-muted chugging to create a dense sound.
- Several tracks incorporate tempo changes, shifting from blast beats to slower, more groove-oriented sections.
- The last three tracks exhibit a gradual increase in intensity, culminating in a climactic finish.
- 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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6/10
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
- dynamic journey with intense peaks
- wave-like pacing for engagement
- cathartic release through heaviness
- for evening workouts
Maybe skip if you
- seeking soothing background music
- prefer quick, catchy songs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Marks a strong return to form after a hiatus, showing the band's continued vitality.
- Career context
- Inked in Blood was Obituary's ninth studio album, marking their return after a five-year hiatus since the release of Darkest Day in 2009. The band sought to reclaim their classic sound while also experimenting with new elements, showcasing their resilience and continued relevance in the death metal scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Cannibal Corpse· Deicide· Dying Fetus
Tracklist
- 1 Centuries of Lies 2:08
- 2 Violent by Nature Start here 4:34
- 3 Pain Inside 4:36
- 4 Visions in My Head 4:14
- 5 Back on Top 4:31
- 6 Violence 2:07
- 7 Inked in Blood 4:13
- 8 Deny You 4:49
- 9 Within a Dying Breed 5:37
- 10 Minds of the World 3:24
- 11 Out of Blood 3:20
- 12 Paralyzed With Fear 5:39
- 13 Intoxicated 4:54
- 14 Bloodsoaked 3:19
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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