"Anthology" is a compilation album by the American death metal band, Obituary. Released in 2001 by Roadrunner Records, it comprises tracks from the band's first six studio albums, featuring recordings from their career spanning from 1989 to 1997.
Obituary got its start as a band known as Executioner in 1984, later changing their name after discovering another band with the same name. By the time they released "Anthology," the band was well established within the heavy metal scene. Led by John Tardy on vocals, his brother Donald on drums, and guitarist Trevor Peres, the band's unique sound combined brutal riffs with growl-like vocals to form what is now known as the Florida death metal sound.
"Anthology" features a wide array of Obituary's musical spectrum, including tracks like the intensely dark, "Slowly We Rot," culled from their debut studio album, and the crushing "Final Thoughts," from their 1997 album "Back from the Dead." It remains a great introduction for newcomers to the band, serving not just as a compilation of their best songs, but also as a timeline that traces their development from a promising young band into seasoned veterans of death metal.
The album has achieved recognition in the metal community and offers a comprehensive look at Obituary's profound influence on the development of death metal genre in the late 20th century.
