"Cause of Death" is the second studio album by American death metal band Obituary. The album was released on September 19, 1990. This seminal work is recognized as a classic in the death metal genre and was considered a significant influence on the stylistic development of this genre.
"Cause of Death" is often identified as the band's most significant effort and among the finest death metal albums of all time. It features more complex song structures and longer tracks than on Obituary's debut album "Slowly We Rot".
The album features John Tardy on vocals, Allen West and James Murphy on guitars, Frank Watkins on bass, and Donald Tardy on drums. Notably, this is one of the only albums by Obituary where the guitar solos were composed and played by a guest artist, James Murphy, who had recently left the group Death. He replaced Allen West in the recording phase due to West's inability to record at the time.
The album cover art, notoriously gruesome and morbid, was done by Michael Whelan and is part of a series of artworks that were used on other albums by various other bands. The themes of the art align closely with the lyrical themes of the album, enhancing its sinister and eerie atmosphere.
Despite the heavy nature of the music, the album achieved surprising commercial success. Its unique blend of slow, crushing riffs, coupled with John Tardy's distinct vocal style, set a new standard for the death metal genre.
