Slowly We Rot
Obituary · 1989
40 min · 14 tracks · death metal
Brutal riffs and guttural growls converge in a relentless assault that defines early death metal's raw power.
Top tracks — play these first
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Internal Bleeding Start here — The opening track sets a brutal tone with its crushing riffs and relentless pace, perfectly encapsulating the raw energy and aggression characteristic of the album.
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Slowly We Rot — This title track exemplifies the band's signature sound while delivering powerful imagery that resonates throughout the album's thematic landscape.
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Suffocation — With its intense tempo changes and dark atmosphere, this track highlights the band's ability to blend melody with heaviness, showcasing their evolving musical complexity.
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Gates to Hell — Combining rapid-fire drumming with haunting guitar work, this track serves as a pivotal moment on the album, amplifying its apocalyptic themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's raw sound and brutal riffs define early death metal while maintaining a cohesive yet intense listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of downtuned guitars, creating a heavy, sludgy sound that characterizes the genre.
- Tracks often shift abruptly between tempos, with fast-paced sections leading into slower, crushing riffs.
- Vocals are predominantly guttural growls that maintain a relentless intensity throughout the record.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- 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
- relentless sonic intensity
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- cathartic release through aggression
- headbanging anthems for energy
- immersive listen for enthusiasts
Maybe skip if you
- prefer light, melodic sounds
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This debut album established Obituary's reputation in the death metal scene.
- Career context
- Released on June 1, 1989, 'Slowly We Rot' marked Obituary's debut full-length album following the success of their 1988 demo, which garnered significant attention within the underground metal scene. This album solidified their place in the burgeoning death metal genre and showcased their aggressive sound that would influence countless bands in the years to come.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Cannibal Corpse· Deicide· Dying Fetus
Tracklist
- 1 Internal Bleeding Start here 3:01
- 2 Godly Beings 1:55
- 3 'Til Death 3:56
- 4 Slowly We Rot 3:36
- 5 Immortal Visions 2:25
- 6 Gates to Hell 2:48
- 7 Words of Evil 1:55
- 8 Suffocation 2:35
- 9 Intoxicated 4:40
- 10 Deadly Intentions 2:09
- 11 Bloodsoaked 3:11
- 12 Stinkupuss 2:59
- 13 Find the Arise (demo) 2:39
- 14 Like the Dead (demo) 2:34
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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