A simple question — do you love death metal? Of course you do. Surely you already own this wonderful DVD... wait, you don't?! In that case, your collection is in urgent need of replenishment. There's nothing more to say, because this is OBITUARY — a classic among classics of old school death metal, one of the most renowned representatives of the famous Tampa scene in Florida. After their triumphant return in 2004, the release of the mighty "Frozen in Time," and an equally successful tour, the band decided to give their fans a grand gift in the form of their first DVD. Unlike many acts, John and Donald Tardy didn't opt for a highlight reel, didn't show off, didn't record rehearsed interviews with fans — they simply included the full 75-minute concert in Warsaw from start to finish, performed on August 24, 2006 to a sold-out crowd at the considerably sized Stodola club.
On top of that, the disc features a biography, discography, photographs, and two interviews — one with the Tardy brothers and another with guitarist Trevor Peres, another founding member, and bassist Frank Watkins, who joined the band after the first album in 1990. Only solo guitarist West didn't get an interview. There is also footage of Donald's drum solo performed in Romania, plus two music videos for songs from the latest album — "Insane" and "On The Floor." There are even truly unique clips: behind-the-scenes footage of how the first of these videos was made and backstage footage before the Warsaw concert, containing some very amusing moments.
As for the concert itself — it is a storm, and there are no other words for it. Although OBITUARY's musicians have never been known for excessive expressiveness on stage, West is arguably the most focused and motionless guitarist in the entire genre. Trevor and Frank are considerably more mobile but also without going overboard. They are all compensated for by the towering John Tardy with his magnificent mane of hair, behind which his face is almost never visible, while his much slighter-looking brother mercilessly demolishes the drum kit. Of the 20 songs performed, 7 are from "Frozen in Time," three from the wonderful 1997 album "Back From The Dead" (after whose supporting tour the band broke up for six years), only two from "World Demise" — surprisingly, arguably the band's biggest hit "Don't Care" was not performed, even though the group is famous primarily for its slow and mid-tempo material. The third album is almost entirely overlooked, represented by just one song, but the first two records — unsurpassed classics of old school death — are represented more than worthily. We hear "Chopped in Half," "Turned Inside Out," and other hits, and of course the concert is crowned by the incomparable "Slowly We Rot!"