Obituary Rocks Asheville on 35th Cause of Death Tour
Florida death metal icons Obituary stormed Asheville on weeknight, recharged, head to NYC!
Ratika holds a master's degree in commerce and a post-graduate diploma in communication and journalism from Mumbai University. She has 6 years of experience writing in various fields, such as finance, education, and lifestyle.
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Band Blows Asheville Away
Obituary treated a packed crowd in Asheville, North Carolina, to a crushing weeknight performance as part of their 35th anniversary tour for the landmark 1990 album Cause of Death. After overcoming mountain rain delays, the Florida death metal stalwarts unleashed a set packed with fan favorites, earning cheers and mosh-pit mayhem.
Less than 24 hours after leaving Louisville’s New Vintage, frontman John Tardy opened with a grin: “Well damn Asheville…that was Awesome!! Way to ThrowDown proper on a week night!! We had a blast and hope you did too…til next time, CHEERS!” The band’s Instagram feed captured snarling riffs and Tardy’s guttural vocals echoing through the venue.
Embed Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ71nY5OAnx/
Celebrating A Death Metal Blueprint
Formed in 1984 by the late guitarist Allen West, Obituary helped define the death metal genre with Cause of Death. The album’s punishing riffs and Steve DiGiorgio’s guest bass tracks set a new standard for brutality and atmosphere. Rolling Stone and Metal Hammer have since cited Cause of Death as one of the genre’s most influential releases.
On stage in Asheville, the band nodded to that legacy with a near-complete run of the record’s tracks—“Altars of Madness,” “Chopped in Half,” and the title track all elicited frenzied response. Guitarists Trevor Peres and Kenny Andrews traded searing solos, while drummer Donald Tardy pounded the double kicks with relentless precision.
Merch Booth Raffles And Fan Perks
Between brutal breakdowns, Obituary reminded fans to grab raffle tickets for two custom Cause of Death ESP guitars. “Do not forget to grab your RAFFLE TICKETS for the COD @espguitars MerchBooth at the shows & Online at www.obituary.cc Good Luck!” Tardy announced, pointing fans to the merch area.
Embed Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ4ZAXVuht-/
That post, shared ahead of the Asheville date, teased the design wraps by frontman John Tardy and guitar tech Ken Rose. Raffle winners will be drawn at the end of May, with worldwide digital tickets available for overseas supporters.
Next Stop: New York’s Knockdown Center
Having recharged on a day off, the band loaded into their Pabst Blue Ribbon-wrapped tour bus and headed north. Tomorrow night at Brooklyn’s Knockdown Center, Obituary will continue their coast-to-coast trek celebrating Cause of Death. Fans can expect another all-out assault of furious drumming, heavy grooves, and Tardy’s trademark snarls.
Why Cause Of Death Still Matters
Thirty-five years on, Cause of Death remains a blueprint for modern death metal. Its innovative production by Scott Burns at Morrisound Recording, haunting artwork by Michael Whelan, and uncompromising songwriting have earned it cult status. Younger acts like Archspire and Pathology still cite it as a primary influence.
Obituary bassist Terry Butler reflected on the tour’s resonance: “Seeing fans young and old circle pit to our oldest tracks reminds us that death metal is alive and well. These songs are the gift that keeps on giving.”
As the Florida veterans prepare to roll into New York, their Asheville performance confirms one thing: three and a half decades after redefining extremity, Obituary still commands respect and devotion across generations.
Fans who missed Asheville can catch the next date at Knockdown Center on May 9. Raffle tickets remain available at www.obituary.cc, with winners announced in late May.
Florida’s finest aren’t slowing down—instead they’re setting their sights on the next city, ready to unleash more crushing riffs and celebrate a timeless legacy.
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